What does the term "API security" encompass?

The term "API security" encompasses practices and tools designed to protect APIs from abuse and potential data breaches, which is why this choice is accurate. APIs are critical components in modern software architecture, allowing different applications and services to communicate with one another. However, their openness can expose them to numerous threats, such as unauthorized access, data manipulation, and exploitation.

Effective API security involves a multifaceted approach that includes authentication, authorization, encryption, input validation, rate limiting, and monitoring for suspicious activity, among other strategies. By addressing these aspects, organizations can significantly mitigate risks and ensure that their API endpoints remain secure against a variety of threats.

Other options do touch on aspects of API security but do not fully encompass the entirety of the field. For instance, while encryption is a key component of securing data in transit, it alone does not cover the broader implications of API abuse prevention or comprehensive security practices. Validation of API syntax is also a necessary aspect, but it is only one piece of a larger puzzle; without considering authentication and other protective measures, syntax validation alone is insufficient to secure an API. Similarly, monitoring API usage statistics is important for detecting potential threats but does not constitute the complete security framework necessary to protect APIs effectively.