API Gateway Security

API gateways provide centralized security enforcement for microservices architectures. They handle authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and request routing, simplifying security implementation for individual services. However, gateways also represent single points of failure that require robust security measures.

Gateway security features should include request validation, response filtering, and protocol translation. Circuit breakers prevent cascading failures when backend services fail. Request/response transformation can add security headers, remove sensitive data, or enforce consistent formats. Logging and monitoring at the gateway level provides visibility across all API traffic.

API security requires comprehensive approaches addressing authentication, authorization, input validation, and secure communication. Through proper implementation of these measures, APIs can provide powerful functionality while protecting user data from unauthorized access and manipulation. The next chapter explores backup and disaster recovery strategies that ensure data availability without compromising security.## Backup and Disaster Recovery for User Data

Backups represent concentrated repositories of user data, often containing historical information spanning years. While essential for business continuity and disaster recovery, backups can become significant security liabilities if not properly protected. This chapter explores comprehensive strategies for implementing secure backup systems that ensure data availability during disasters while maintaining the same security standards as production systems. We'll examine encryption strategies, access controls, testing procedures, and recovery processes that protect user data throughout its backup lifecycle.