Akamai Unveils Strategy to Support Customers Adopting IoT

Akamai OTA Updates Designed to Meet the Unique Needs of the Connected Car

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Oct 12, 2017, 11:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Akamai Edge 2017 --Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the world's largest and most trusted cloud delivery platform, today unveiled the company's strategy to support its customers' incorporation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices into their IT infrastructures. Through this initiative, Akamai will leverage the scale, performance and security of the Akamai Intelligent Platform to support fast, secure, and resilient distribution of data to connected devices anywhere across the globe, as well as to power advanced distributed communications and processing of data originating in these connected devices.

IoT is viewed by many as the next key stage of Internet evolution. Industries of all types, from automotive to manufacturing to consumer technology, are making IoT devices critical components of their business strategies and IT infrastructure. At the same time, putting in place the robust infrastructure necessary to support this innovative technology is posing challenges to equipment manufacturers and users alike.

Akamai's IoT initiative is intended to meet these challenges head on through solutions built on the proven scale and security of the Akamai Intelligent Platform. Using Akamai IoT solutions, customers can avoid the capital expenditure and ongoing operational cost required to build out a global network capable of securely supporting millions of devices. Further, remote software downloads and data capture reduce the costs associated with "truck rolls" and/or service center visits.

Akamai's first offering through its IoT initiative is an "Over the Air (OTA)" solution specifically designed to meet the demands of automobile manufacturers' and automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEMs) connected vehicle initiatives. It offers the ability to deliver firmware, navigation and infotainment updates to connected vehicles over Wi-Fi or cellular, eliminating the need for costly physical visits to automotive service centers. It incorporates several automotive specific capabilities including:

Edge IP-Binding to enable updates from a configurable set of IP addresses in order to adhere to the data-locality rules of various jurisdictions and the zero-rating agreements that auto manufacturers might have with their chosen telecommunications providers.
Secure delivery of updates using a flexible SSL/TLS program that also supports customers using their own client certificates.
Advanced dashboards to efficiently track the delivery of updates by individual vehicle, thus allowing auto manufacturers to review campaign progress and confirm downloads.

One organization already benefitting from Akamai's IoT solutions, specifically OTA Updates, is Harman, the market leader in providing connected car solutions to the world's automakers. According to Oren Betzaleli, vice president and general manager, Harman Connected Services, "Today's automobile can easily be thought of as a moving computer, with software controlling telematics, safety and security and even embedded entertainment. And all of those computer systems require regular updates to make sure they're operating as they should. Working with Akamai gives us the confidence that we're delivering the best-connected car experience to our customers, and ultimately our customers' drivers."

"For nearly 20 years, we've helped our customers improve access to, and performance of, millions upon millions of websites," explained Ash Kulkarni, senior vice president and general manager, Web Performance and Security, Akamai. "Akamai pioneered cloud-based security for web sites, applications and the transmission of data via the Web. Now, we're taking that experience and expertise and giving our customers the power to securely exchange data with any connected device, anywhere across the globe."

About Akamai
As the world's largest and most trusted cloud delivery platform, Akamai makes it easier for its customers to provide the best and most secure digital experiences on any device, anytime, anywhere. Akamai's massively distributed platform is unparalleled in scale with over 200,000 servers across 130 countries, giving customers superior performance and threat protection. Akamai's portfolio of web and mobile performance, cloud security, enterprise access, and video delivery solutions are supported by exceptional customer service and 24/7 monitoring. To learn why the top financial institutions, e-commerce leaders, media & entertainment providers, and government organizations trust Akamai please visit www.akamai.com, blogs.akamai.com, or @Akamai on Twitter.

Akamai Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This release contains information about future expectations, plans and prospects of Akamai's management that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including, but not limited to, failure of the IoT market to develop as expected, inability f Akamai OTA Updates to operate as expected or to address intended market needs, a failure of Akamai's network infrastructure, and other factors that are discussed in Akamai's Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents periodically filed with the SEC.