CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
A security architect is implementing an API gateway to protect microservices. Which security capability is uniquely provided by an API gateway compared to a traditional web application firewall (WAF)?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rate limiting per API consumer
An API gateway can enforce rate limiting and authentication (e.g., OAuth) at the API level, while a WAF typically focuses on HTTP-layer attacks like SQLi.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
TLS termination
Why it's wrong here
Both can terminate TLS.
- ✗
SQL injection prevention
Why it's wrong here
WAF also prevents SQLi.
- ✗
Cross-site scripting (XSS) filtering
Why it's wrong here
Both WAF and API gateway can filter XSS.
- ✓
Rate limiting per API consumer
Why this is correct
Correct – API gateways can throttle requests per API key or user.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAS-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAS-005 exam.