F5 has launched the new F5 Distributed Cloud Services. They offer security, multi-cloud networking and edge-based solutions on a unified Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. F5 also presents the first new solution for the platform: F5 Distributed Cloud WAAP (Web Application and API Protection). It includes multiple security capabilities across F5 technologies in one SaaS offering.
Enterprises are increasingly using complex application portfolios and multi-cloud implementations. For example, F2022's upcoming 5 State of Application Strategy Report shows that 88 percent of companies are running both legacy and modern application architectures. 70 percent also use multiple clouds. This increases risk as organizations must employ disparate and often inconsistent security controls across different environments.
"Applications and the digital offerings they deliver have become a basis for human connection and achievement, as well as a platform for significant business innovation and the creation of new markets," said François Locoh-Donou, President and CEO of F5. “At F5, we want to help companies protect these applications from the constant barrage of cyberattacks. The launch of F5 Distributed Cloud Services is significant as it provides customers with a simpler way to address the complex challenges of modern application security.”
F5 Distributed Cloud Services
The F5 Distributed Cloud Platform offers cloud-native, SaaS-based services for application security and delivery. These services are managed centrally but can be deployed anywhere the app is needed to provide an excellent customer experience. F5 Distributed Cloud Services are based on a combination of Volterra's platform and services and industry-leading security services from F5 and Shape. You can:
- Deploy natively in multi-cloud, data center and edge environments
- Provide end-to-end visibility and policy control for all applications in a single dashboard
- Deploy an integrated global private network in more than 20 major metro areas
Several additional F5 Distributed Cloud Services are currently available to customers. F5 Distributed Cloud Multi-Cloud Transit enables Multi-Cloud Networking (MCN) functionality with secure and high-performance connectivity between clouds and a network firewall. F5 Distributed Cloud Load Balancer and Kubernetes Gateway provides an integrated load balancer with Kubernetes and API gateways to easily deploy modern workloads and microservices across distributed clusters, locations, and cloud providers.
New functions and old ones renamed
The platform also has cloud-native capabilities for edge computing known as the App Delivery Network (ADN). They improve the user experience by distributing applications to the edge of the F5 Global Network. During launch, F5 simplified product naming to integrate customer experiences across its growing portfolio. Many services from F5, Shape, and Volterra have been rebranded as individual F5 Distributed Cloud Services, including F5 Distributed Cloud Bot Defense, F5 Distributed Cloud DDoS Mitigation, F5 Distributed Cloud WAF, and F5 Distributed Cloud API Security.
F5 Distributed Cloud WAAP
The first new F5 Cloud Service, F5 Distributed Cloud WAAP, simplifies security and automates processes. This allows application teams to focus on delivering features. The SaaS-based offering consolidates F5's industry-leading capabilities such as web application firewall, bot and DDoS mitigation, and API protection into one easy-to-deploy solution. This enables SecOps and DevOps teams to enforce consistent security policies wherever they deploy applications.
The new solution combines important technologies
- F5 Advanced WAF application protection that effectively and efficiently blocks the most common attacks
- API security powered by Volterra's machine learning-based auto-discovery and anomaly detection, which automates the entire process of finding, securing, and monitoring APIs
- Bot defense based on F5 Shape AI technology
- Global protection against DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks
Via F5 Networks F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV) gives the world's largest companies, service providers, government agencies and consumer brands the freedom to deliver any app securely, anywhere, with confidence. F5 offers cloud and security solutions that enable companies to use the infrastructure they choose without compromising speed and control. Please visit f5.com for more information. You can also visit us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information about F5, its partners and technologies.