AWS WAF vs Akamai

July 20, 2023 | Author: Michael Stromann
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AWS WAF
AWS WAF is a web application firewall that helps protect apps and APIs against bots and exploits that consume resources, skew metrics, or cause downtime.
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Akamai
Stay safe from threats without slowing down. Akamai surrounds and protects your entire ecosystem — clouds, apps, APIs, and users.
AWS WAF and Akamai are both web application firewall solutions, but they have distinct differences in their offerings, infrastructure, and deployment models.

AWS WAF is a cloud-based firewall service provided by Amazon Web Services. It allows users to create custom security rules to protect web applications from common web attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and DDoS attacks. As part of the AWS ecosystem, AWS WAF is tightly integrated with other AWS services, making it convenient for businesses already using AWS infrastructure. Organizations can easily scale and manage their web application security within the AWS environment. However, AWS WAF primarily focuses on protecting applications hosted on AWS, which may limit its compatibility with applications hosted on other platforms.

In contrast, Akamai is a global content delivery network (CDN) and web security provider that offers a range of solutions beyond just web application firewalling. Akamai's WAF provides protection against web attacks, but it is part of a broader suite of services, including content caching, performance optimization, and DDoS protection. Akamai operates a vast network of edge servers distributed worldwide, which enables it to deliver content and security services closer to end-users, improving website performance and reducing latency. This global infrastructure makes Akamai an attractive option for businesses seeking a global security and content delivery solution.

See also: Top 10 Website Security platforms
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email stromann@liventerprise.com