Akamai Strengthens Hybrid DNS Security with Shield NS53

Akamai Technologies has introduced Akamai Shield NS53, a new product designed to bolster the security of on-premises Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure. This initiative aims to combat resource exhaustion attacks that overwhelm servers with illegitimate DNS queries, rendering them unable to handle legitimate ones. Akamai Shield NS53 supplements existing solutions like Akamai Edge DNS and Akamai Prolexic, offering comprehensive protection against DDoS attacks.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in DDoS attacks targeting DNS infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures. Akamai Shield NS53 addresses this challenge by intercepting unauthorized DNS queries at the edge of Akamai’s network, distinguishing between legitimate and malicious requests, and responding accordingly. This approach aims to improve the security, availability, and performance of DNS infrastructure for organizations.

Sean Lyons, SVP and GM of Infrastructure Security at Akamai, emphasized the importance of robust DDoS protection in today’s evolving threat landscape. With the launch of Shield NS53, customers can expect better services and greater control over their DNS security policies. This solution offers customizable policy configurations through the Akamai Control Center or APIs, enabling real-time enforcement of security measures.

Furthermore, Shield NS53 acts as a bidirectional proxy service, enhancing the performance and return on investment of existing DNS infrastructure. By reducing latency and improving user experience, this solution helps organizations optimize their investments in on-premises or hybrid DNS infrastructure.

Akamai is leveraging its global partner network to assist customers in adopting Shield NS53, making the solution accessible through strategic partners in North America and other authorized partners worldwide.