Why do we need API Gateway Authentication?

• Security: Authentication ensures that only authorized clients can access protected APIs, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
• Authorization: Authentication is often paired with authorization, which determines what actions an authenticated client can perform. This ensures that clients only have access to the resources they are authorized to use.
• Compliance: Many industries and regulations require strong authentication mechanisms to protect sensitive data. API Gateway authentication helps organizations comply with these regulations.
• Rate Limiting: Authentication allows API Gateways to enforce rate-limiting policies, ensuring that clients do not exceed their allowed usage limits.
• Monitoring and Logging: Authentication provides visibility into who is accessing the API, allowing for monitoring and logging of API usage for auditing and troubleshooting purposes.

API Gateway can perform authentication as part of its functionality. Authentication in API Gateway is crucial for ensuring that only authorized users or applications can access your APIs. There are several ways API Gateway can handle authentication. API Gateway authentication is the process of verifying the identity of clients accessing an API through an API Gateway, protecting it from unauthorized access and potential security threats.