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Vol. 12 No. 08 (2025)
International Multidisciplinary Journal for Research & Development

Articles

ADVANCING API SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY IN MICROSERVICE ECOSYSTEMS: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF DEVSECOPS, REST, GRPC, AND CONTRACT TESTING

Published 2025-08-31

  • Johnathan Meyers

Johnathan Meyers
Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The rapid evolution of software architectures has necessitated the adoption of robust and secure methods for API development, testing, and deployment. Microservice-based ecosystems, which promote modularity and scalability, rely heavily on APIs for inter-service communication, making the security and efficiency of these interfaces paramount. This study explores the integration of security practices within DevOps pipelines, emphasizing the emergence of DevSecOps as a framework that embeds security into the software development lifecycle (Abiona et al., 2024). It provides an in-depth comparative analysis of API technologies, including REST, GraphQL, and gRPC, highlighting their performance, scalability, and security implications (Ali, 2024; Arora et al., 2024; Basri & Hasan, 2024). Furthermore, the research examines contract testing methodologies, specifically the PACT framework, to ensure reliable and predictable API interactions in distributed systems (Sagar Kesarpu, 2025). The paper also addresses the challenges inherent in API security testing, particularly for RESTful APIs, and explores advanced testing techniques that mitigate vulnerabilities while enhancing operational efficiency (Alharbi & Moulahi, 2023). Through a detailed theoretical elaboration, this work articulates best practices, potential pitfalls, and future directions for secure, efficient, and reliable API management in microservice ecosystems.

Keywords

DevSecOps, API Security, Microservices

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References

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