An API connector is a software link that lets one system call another service, send requests, and receive data automatically. In practice, it is the bridge between an application and an external tool, database, model, or SaaS platform. Connectors are common in AI-native products because they let the product fetch records, trigger workflows, or hand off tasks without human intervention.
From a security perspective, API connectors matter because they expand trust across system boundaries. If a connector is over-permissioned, poorly authenticated, or not validated, an attacker can abuse it to read data, change settings, or trigger actions through the connected service. In AI systems, a malicious prompt or compromised output can also cause the connector to call the wrong API or move sensitive information. Defenders limit connector permissions, verify inputs and outputs, use strong authentication, and monitor every automated call for abnormal behavior.