F5 Networks has launched a managed cloud service across EMEA to defend against web app attacks and ensure compliance across the cloud and the data centre.
Augmenting the firm’s existing Silverline cloud platform, the Web Application Firewall (WAF) will let companies outsource responsibility for protecting their applications as the notion of perimeter security looks increasingly outdated.
Mark Vondemkamp, VP of security and Silverline at F5, said: "With security needs outpacing the number of qualified WAF experts in the industry, many organisations find themselves under-protected.
"Silverline solutions expand F5’s fabric-based Synthesis framework to include cloud-delivered services – giving customers the benefit of F5 experts proactively looking after WAF functionality.
"This approach effectively makes F5 the application security IT engineer for the customer, providing internal personnel the opportunity to focus on other priorities."
Whilst the service is largely managed by F5 the company will also provide reports to the customer, which it claims will help bolster the clients’ existing security practices.
F5 said that the service is cheaper than managing application security on-premise, with WAF also integrating with other products on the Silverline platform, including DDoS protection, IP Intelligence and Secure Web Gateway Services.
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"Cloud architectures, mobile devices, and SaaS applications have untethered the traditional IT network, increasing the complexity of application security," said Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research.
"With respect to WAF and related security functions, in-house experts can be challenging to hire and expensive to keep.
Accordingly, I think we’ll see more organisations pursue managed cloud services like those being offered by F5."
