Akamai expands partner security programmes for enhanced API defence

Akamai Technologies has announced updates to its Security Certified Service Provider programmes, enabling certified partners to deliver enhanced operational services and technical support for API security solutions and Akamai Guardicore Segmentation.

The changes allow certified partners to offer Day-2 Operations Services related to Akamai API security products, in the same way as they currently can for Guardicore Segmentation, as well as to provide technical support for Akamai Guardicore Segmentation directly to their customers.

The State of the Internet (SOTI) report from Akamai highlights the growing threat posed by various forms of API attacks, such as data breaches, abuse, and distributed denial-of-service attacks.

According to data collected by Akamai, there were 108 billion recorded API attacks between January 2023 and June 2024. These incidents often result in data theft, damage to organisational reputations, regulatory penalties, and considerable financial losses, illustrating the critical need for robust API security.

Florent Houy, Head of Cloud Innovation at Orange Cyberdefense in France, commented on the programme updates, stating, "The enhancements Akamai has made to its Security Certified Service Provider programs enable us to better deliver services directly to our customers, significantly increasing our ability to meet their unique needs and ensure they receive the best possible protection and support."

"These partner program updates strengthen our collective capability and Orange Cyberdefense's microsegmentation service offering to secure digital assets, ensure flexibility, meet our customers' expectations, and help our clients stay focused on what matters most: their business."

Paul Joseph, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Services at Akamai, provided further perspective: "The channel is the backbone of the cybersecurity industry where everyone wins — technology providers expand their reach, partners grow their business, and customers get the best security solutions tailored to their needs."

"Empowering our partners with the right tools, training, and support is key to driving success. These enhancements to the Akamai channel program position our partners as their customers' trusted security advisor and single point of contact, empowering both partner and customer to accelerate the growth of their business."

Maintaining a strong security posture requires ongoing operational activities, described as Day-2 Operations Services, particularly as organisations continue to refine both segmentation and API security strategies. These services have now been expanded to encompass Akamai's API security offerings as well as Guardicore Segmentation environments.

For API security solutions, Day-2 Operations Services now include operational and management services to help partners provide greater value to customers through hybrid deployments, quarterly business reviews, and API audits and compliance.

Security incident management services are also being offered, enabling partners to connect customer API security deployments with their Security Operations Centres, so incident response teams are alerted to threats detected by Akamai's API Security and other integrated solutions. Additionally, the updates allow for active testing, so customers can identify and remediate API vulnerabilities prior to deployment, reducing risk and remediation costs.

With respect to Akamai Guardicore Segmentation, Guardicore Certified Services Partners are now authorised to deliver a full spectrum of services, encompassing the entire microsegmentation lifecycle from initial project delivery to 24/7 first-line support and ongoing operational updates to ensure policies remain current and security incidents are monitored.

Technical support can also now be provided locally through certified partners.

For Guardicore Segmentation, Day-2 Operations Services include administration services to help partners optimise the customer's deployment by making necessary updates and expanding implementation where needed. Security incident management services enable partners to link customer deployments to their Security Operations Centres, containing threats by preventing lateral movement and isolating compromised assets until incidents are resolved.

Audit and compliance services are also offered, providing consolidated insight into network communications to facilitate audits and enforce consistent security policy across the customer environment.

Akamai states that Guardicore Segmentation customers now have the option to rely on their local certified partners for the full range of services, from project delivery through ongoing support and operations management.