CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test 2025 - Free CASP+ Practice Questions and Study Guide

Using secure transmission protocols is essential for protecting API keys in a cloud environment. When APIs communicate over the internet, the data exchanged can be intercepted if proper security measures are not in place. Secure transmission protocols, such as HTTPS, provide encryption for data in transit, safeguarding against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. This means that even if an attacker intercepts the communication, they would be unable to read sensitive information, including API keys.

In contrast, using HTTP for communication lacks encryption, making data susceptible to interception. While public key cryptography is a robust method for securing communications, it is not directly related to the practical protection of API keys during transmission. Additionally, regular expiration of keys can enhance security by limiting the time frame during which a key can be compromised, but it does not address the protection of keys during transit, which is critical when APIs interact over networks.