Which Network Devices Secure API Platforms?
Which network devices secure API platforms?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The exam tests whether you know that API security requires application-layer filtering, and the common trap is choosing an intrusion detection system (IDS) because it monitors traffic, but WAFs are purpose-built for HTTP/HTTPS APIs and bot protection.
Community consensus strongly favors web application firewalls (WAFs) as the network devices that secure API platforms, with all votes on this question selecting option B. The Cisco 350-401 exam tests your understanding of security device roles and their application-layer protections.
The most common wrong answer is C (next-generation intrusion detection systems). While NIDS can detect some attacks, they lack the deep application-layer analysis, API schema validation, and bot mitigation capabilities that WAFs provide, making them insufficient for securing APIs.
Community Discussion (3 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Web application firewalls (WAFs) are the only devices listed that operate at Layer 7 and can inspect, filter, and mitigate malicious traffic targeted at API endpoints. Cisco's Secure WAF specifically protects APIs by defending against OWASP Top Ten risks, bot attacks, and abuse. As comment [1] notes, Cisco Secure WAF and bot protection ensure that websites, mobile applications, and APIs are secure and 'always on.'
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Content switches (A) mainly perform load balancing and traffic distribution at Layers 4–7 but do not focus on application-layer security inspection. Next-generation intrusion detection systems (C) monitor network traffic for known signatures but do not provide the API-specific protection like JSON validation, rate limiting, or credential stuffing prevention. Layer 3 transit network devices (D) are routers or switches that forward packets and lack any significant security inspection functionality.
The community comments fully support this reasoning. Comment [2] simply states 'Provided answer is correct,' and comment [3] agrees with B. The Cisco reference in comment [1] directly confirms that WAFs are the security devices for APIs.
Community Comment Notes
All three comments are consistent with the suggested answer B. Comment [1] provides authoritative vendor documentation explaining how WAFs secure APIs and web applications. Comment [2] and [3] reinforce the correctness of B without offering any alternative insight. The lack of dissent suggests this is a well-established concept in the exam blueprint, and candidates should be confident in this selection.
Official Reference
Exam Strategy
When answering security device questions, first identify the target's OSI layer and traffic type. APIs live at Layer 7, so only a WAF provides the required deep application-layer inspection. Use this to quickly eliminate lower-level devices like content switches, NGIDS, and Layer 3 routers.
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