Is using HTTPS for data in transit regarded as a best practice?

Using HTTPS for data in transit is widely regarded as a best practice due to its role in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data being transmitted over the internet. HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) utilizes Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt the data exchanged between clients and servers. This encryption helps protect sensitive information from being intercepted by unauthorized parties.

The adoption of HTTPS mitigates risks such as man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker could intercept and manipulate the data being sent, and eavesdropping, where sensitive data could be stolen during transmission. Given the increasing focus on data security and user privacy, utilizing HTTPS is essential not just for financial transactions but across all types of data communications, including access to APIs and regular web browsing.

Security standards and regulatory compliance often emphasize the importance of protecting personal data, making the use of HTTPS a critical measure for organizations looking to establish trust and safeguard their users' information. Thus, the recommendation for HTTPS applies universally, instead of being limited to specific scenarios like financial transactions or access to external APIs.