When is edge security applied in the Mule application workflow?

Edge security in MuleSoft is designed to enforce security policies before any processing within the application occurs. This is critical because it ensures that any request hitting the API is authenticated and validated before it can reach the business logic or any backend services. By applying edge security at this stage, you help protect your application from unauthorized access and potential external threats, as it acts as an entry point for enforcing security measures like authentication, authorization, and rate limiting.

Applying edge security before the API Manager policies ensures a robust security framework whereby the incoming requests are already checked for compliance with security standards before any additional policies are executed. This layered approach to security safeguards the internal workings of the application and maintains operational integrity.