APIs can control and secure data flows, which is essential for compliance with security protocols like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Since they expose only the data required for a particular function, they also reduce the risk of over-sharing sensitive information.

• Authentication and authorization: Authentication mechanisms like API keys and OAuth ensure only authorized users or applications can access data, and limit data access to only what’s necessary. They can also check user consent status before processing requests, verifying permissions in real time.
• Encryption: APIs typically encrypt data in transit, protecting it from interception or tampering by malicious actors. When they’re used internally, they reduce the risk of data exposure that comes with sharing data manually via email or spreadsheets.
• Rate limiting and throttling: By limiting the number of requests a client can make within a certain timeframe, APIs can prevent abuse, such as brute-force attacks or DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
• Input validation: Well-designed APIs validate and sanitize inputs, meaning they check user-provided data before it’s processed. This prevents vulnerabilities like SQL injection attacks, which rely on malicious code inserted into an entry field.

API gateways and management tools can also log all requests and responses for a clear audit trail of who accessed what data and when. These security features should be built in carefully to keep APIs safe without introducing too much processing overhead.