#United States #Cambridge #Cybersecurity #Akamai Technologies #API Performance

Enhancing API Performance with Akamai's New Managed Service

In an era where APIs play a pivotal role in digital business operations, Akamai Technologies has announced the launch of its Managed Service for API Performance. This innovative service is designed to help businesses ensure their API systems are not only fast but also compliant and secure. As APIs continue to serve as the backbone for mission-critical services across various platforms, the importance of their performance has escalated dramatically.

Akamai Technologies, a leader in cybersecurity and cloud computing, recognizes the unique challenges associated with managing APIs. Unlike traditional monitoring systems, APIs require specialized tools and expertise to address their distinct workflows, authentication systems, compliance mandates, and global infrastructure needs. The Managed Service for API Performance leverages Akamai's advanced APIContext platform, providing a combination of proactive testing, expert analysis, and tailored optimization strategies.

Key Features of the Managed Service

This service spans several key areas to ensure optimal performance of APIs:

1. Continuous Monitoring and Response

Akamai provides around-the-clock monitoring and synthetic testing. This ensures that APIs remain operational and functional, supported by expert incident validation to quickly diagnose and rectify issues as they arise.

2. Customized Action Plans

The service includes executive-level reporting that presents metrics on API health, performance trends, and overall business impacts. Recommendations adapt based on evolving environments, enabling seamless adjustments to alert settings and workflow designs.

3. Expert Insights

Akamai's experienced analysts identify hidden performance detractors, such as slow response times and recurring errors. They compile these findings into clear and actionable reports for businesses.

4. Comprehensive Performance Monitoring

With the capability to detect geographic and network-related anomalies, Akamai ensures that APIs align with OpenAPI specifications and regulatory standards. Continuous synthetic checks trigger immediate alerts, facilitating prompt investigations into any disruptions.

5. Cloud and Infrastructure Visibility

The service tracks multicloud environments, including Domain Name System (DNS) and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) configurations, helping to identify bottlenecks from the source to the end user.

6. Regulatory Compliance

Akamai's Managed Service is built to assist businesses in meeting their regulatory obligations. Monitoring is aligned with regulations such as DORA, NIS2, and SEC SCI, ensuring that APIs adhere to the required performance and compliance benchmarks.

7. Audit-Ready Records

Every synthetic API interaction is logged for complete traceability, providing a tamper-proof record that can support compliance verification during audits or regulatory inquiries.

The Importance of API Performance

"APIs have become the heartbeat of modern business," stated Patrick Sullivan, Akamai's Chief Technology Officer of Security Strategy. He emphasized that maintaining the speed and resilience of APIs is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. This new Managed Service enables users to partner with Akamai for ongoing support, issue anticipation, and performance optimization.
With resilience requirements becoming increasingly essential, ensuring uptime has transformed from a technical nicety to a business necessity. Mayur Upadhyaya, CEO of APIContext, described APIs as central to digital services, underlining that their performance has a direct impact on customer experience. The collaboration between Akamai and APIContext aims to empower organizations to tackle these challenges effectively.

Through the Managed Service for API Performance, Akamai is not only enhancing its API security capabilities but also offering businesses a proactive approach to performance optimization. By transferring the responsibility of API tuning to Akamai's skilled professionals, organizations can focus on improving business outcomes and enhancing user experience.

About Akamai

Akamai Technologies is renowned for its cybersecurity and cloud computing solutions. With a commitment to securing businesses online, Akamai's advanced security offerings, comprehensive threat intelligence, and global operational expertise provide necessary safeguards for enterprise data. Learn more about Akamai by visiting akamai.com and following their updates on social media platforms like LinkedIn and X.

About APIContext

APIContext specializes in end-to-end monitoring for APIs and applications, equipping enterprises with the tools needed to optimize performance while ensuring risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. Additional information can be found at apicontext.com.