An organization's IT team must secure all of the internal APIs within an integration solution...

API Management (APIM):This category of software capability focuses on theGovernance,Security, andLifecycleof APIs.7

The Role of the Proxy:In MuleSoft'sAPI Manager(the APIM component), you create anAPI Proxy. This proxy sits in front of the backend API implementation. It intercepts incoming requests, checks security policies (like Client ID enforcement or OAuth 2.0), and only forwards valid requests to the backend.

Why others are incorrect:

iPaaS:Refers to the integration/building platform (connecting systems), though modern platforms like Anypoint combine both iPaaS and APIM. The specific act ofsecuring via proxyis an APIM function.

EDI:Standard for B2B document exchange (like Purchase Orders).

RPA:Automating manual tasks on UI screens.