API Security

API (Application Programming Interface) security focuses on protecting the interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate with each other. APIs are the connectors between applications — they enable data exchange, integration, and automation, but they also represent potential attack surfaces if not properly secured.

API security concerns include authentication and authorization (ensuring only authorized systems and users can call the API), input validation (preventing injection attacks), rate limiting (preventing abuse), encryption (protecting data in transit), and monitoring (detecting suspicious API usage patterns).

Why It Matters

As more defense systems use APIs for integration and data exchange, securing those interfaces becomes a compliance requirement. Unsecured APIs can expose CUI to unauthorized access, making API security a practical concern for CMMC compliance.