API security encompasses practices and technologies that protect application programming interfaces from unauthorized access and data exposure.
Source: IQWorks Glossary — iqworks.ai | Last updated: 2026-02-01
Last verified: February 1, 2026
API security addresses the protection of APIs that transmit personal data between systems, applications, and third parties. With organizations increasingly relying on API-driven architectures, APIs have become a significant attack surface for personal data exposure.
Secure API design for personal data includes authentication (API keys, OAuth, JWT), authorization (scope-based access), encryption (TLS), rate limiting, input validation, and audit logging. ProtectIQ can apply data protection controls at the API layer, including field-level encryption and dynamic masking of personal data in API responses.
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Related Terms
Access Control
Access control restricts who can view, modify, or delete data based on identity, role, and authorization policies, ensuring only authorized personnel access personal data.
Encryption in Transit
Encryption in transit protects data as it moves between systems using protocols like TLS/SSL, preventing interception and eavesdropping during transmission.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP is a set of tools and processes that detect and prevent unauthorized transmission, sharing, or exfiltration of sensitive personal data outside the organization.
Zero Trust Architecture
Zero trust architecture eliminates implicit trust in any network element, requiring continuous verification of every user, device, and connection before granting access.