Kong Launches API Management Platform on Sakura Internet Cloud for Enhanced Security and Efficiency

Kong Introducing API Management Platform on Sakura Internet Cloud

Kong Inc., a leader in API and AI connectivity technologies, has officially announced the deployment of its API management platform on Sakura Internet's public cloud service, known as "Sakura Cloud". This integration aims to boost the operational capabilities and security measures for customers who prioritize safe data management and utilization in Japan.

Background

As the demand for data management and utilization surges with the rise of generative AI technologies, Sakura Internet seeks to enhance its cloud services to meet this growing need. The increasing importance of advanced API management capabilities, including authentication, traffic control, and multi-tenant management, has led to the selection of Kong's platform for the improvement of Sakura Cloud.

Why Kong Was Chosen

Sakura Internet has outlined several compelling reasons for selecting Kong's platform:

1. Rapid Functionality Implementation through Plugins: The platform allows for the swift implementation of advanced API management features such as OIDC authentication, basic authentication, and rate limiting through plugins. This rapid deployment ensures that high-security and availability requirements are met promptly.

2. High Stability and Enterprise Quality: Kong's platform has proven to be stable in real-world operations and performance testing, with minimal downtime attributed to Kong-related issues. The provision of long-term security patches and a robust support structure through the commercial version further assure reliability.

3. Fit for Multi-Tenant Management: The Workspace feature allows for efficient resource segregation and operational management at the tenant level, thereby facilitating the flexible multi-tenant operations required by cloud service providers.

4. Flexibility to Integrate with Domestic Cloud Infrastructure: The Kong API management platform can operate across a wide range of environments independent of specific cloud settings—be it VMs, on-premises, or containers. This adaptability supports the integration of high-level API management functions within domestic data centers and the Sakura Cloud, particularly catering to clients concerned with data sovereignty.

Implementation Effects

By integrating Kong as the core API Gateway service infrastructure on Sakura Cloud, various positive outcomes have been achieved:

- Realized High Stability: The system has demonstrated dependable performance, aligning well with Sakura Internet's quality assurance standards.

- Integration into Sakura Internet's Unique Operational Framework: Users do not directly interact with Kong's intricate management interface but instead manage API protocols through Sakura's custom control panel, facilitating centralized monitoring and management.

- Focus on Core Development Resources: The reduced operational burden of managing the API infrastructure allows development teams to concentrate on enhancing user experiences and expanding service offerings, ensuring better resource allocation.

- Support for Safe Data Collaboration on Domestic Cloud Infrastructure: With Kong serving as the API Gateway foundation, comprehensive management of API authentication, access controls, and traffic control is possible on the domestic cloud, aiding companies in prioritizing data sovereignty while enabling seamless inter-system integration.

Future Outlook

Kong is committed to supporting Japanese companies that prioritize safe data management and sovereignty. In an era of increasing AI integration and agent utilization, businesses are seeking infrastructures that enable safe and real-time connectivity between AI, data, APIs, and operational systems—referred to as 'AI Connectivity.' Leveraging its world-class API management technologies and expertise in AI Gateways, Kong is dedicated to reinforcing the domestic cloud framework provided by Sakura Internet.

Sakura Internet's Executive Officer, Masatoshi Yokota, expressed strong enthusiasm about employing Kong's API management platform for Sakura Cloud, stating, "The integration allows us to deliver higher quality cloud services with enhanced stability and flexible scalability. We are committed to offering services that our customers can use with confidence."

Similarly, Kong’s President and CEO, Daiki Ariizumi, shared, "We are thrilled that Sakura Internet has chosen Kong to support their domestic cloud infrastructure. In the context of advancing generative AI and agent utilization, it is crucial for enterprises to safely manage data while connecting operational systems and AI in real-time. Kong will continue to support safe data utilization and the strengthening of next-generation digital infrastructures for Japanese enterprises through 'AI Connectivity.'"

About Sakura Internet Inc.

Established in 1996, Sakura Internet is a digital infrastructure company that provides reliable cloud and computing resources from its own domestic data centers. Upholding the philosophy of transforming "what you want to do" into "what you can do," the company has supported diverse endeavors through the provision of trustworthy digital infrastructure. Notably, "Sakura Cloud" is also the first domestic cloud service to be selected for the pGovernment Cloud initiative established by the Japanese Digital Agency in its fiscal 2024.

More Information

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About Kong

Kong is at the forefront of API and AI connectivity technologies, building infrastructure to support the age of agent-based AI. Trusted by a diverse range of organizations from Fortune 500 companies to startups, Kong provides a unified API and AI platform known as "Kong Konnect" that ensures safe connections, management, acceleration, governance, and monetization of intelligence flowing between APIs and AI models.