# Endpoints glossary

An endpoint is a view of your data, as seen by your public-facing website, or by a search within CIIM. Website developers use the public endpoint within the API as the basis of a public-facing search.

Endpoints can differ by access level, which defines which records, and which fields within records can be seen by a user. Sensitive information about an object's storage location, for example, would not be available in the public endpoint.

The default access levels for an endpoint are:

Administrator
Public
Restricted Confidential
Restricted Non-Confidential – As an Accredited Researcher
Restricted Non-Confidential – For Organisations I Belong To

Generally, by searching the public endpoint within CIIM, you will be able to see the data that is available in your public collections search.