IBM teams with Akamai to launch DDoS protection in the cloud

IBM has teamed up with security firm Akamai to offer customers next-generation cloud analytics and defence tools against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
The new DDoS defence tool combines Akamai's Kona Site Defender cloud-based web security  offering with IBM's Cloud Security Services portfolio. IBM says the combined offering will help businesses prepare, mitigate, monitor, respond and gather evidence on the source of DDoS attacks. The initiative will also see the companies share security intelligence insights to help spot and mitigate emerging threats.
Kris Lovejoy, general manager, IBM Security Services, said the service was created to help deal with the current boom in DDoS attacks targeting business. IBM currently detects around 1,400 DDoS attacks against its customers every week.
"Our clients tell us there is a need to strengthen cloud security," said Lovejoy. "The partnership with Akamai combines a world-class security team and an intelligent network platform to strengthen cloud security. Together with Akamai, IBM can provide both proactive and reactive DDoS protection from the increasing frequency, scale and sophistication of these attacks."
Akamai security division senior vice president and general manager, Ronni Zehavi, added the need for defence tools, like the new cloud service, are essential as the complexity and sophistication of DDoS attacks is increasing.
"DDoS mitigation and prevention can be incredibly complex and resource intensive, and organisations often find they simply don't have the right resources in place to be as effective as they need to be to meet the web security challenges they face," explained Zehavi. "Together, IBM and Akamai can offer the right mix of technology and expertise to give our customers the peace of mind that their DDoS mitigation efforts are in the right hands."
DDoS attacks are a common tactic used by cyber criminal and hacktivist groups. They work by overloading websites or cloud applications with requests until they are knocked offline.
The attack strategy has been used by a variety of groups, including the Anonymous collective and The Syrian Electronic Army. The Syrian Electronic Army famously used the tactic in August to knock a number of US publications' websites, including The New York Times, offline.