Akamai launches DNS solution for unified, multicloud security

Akamai Technologies has launched DNS Posture Management, a solution intended to provide unified, multicloud visibility and real-time monitoring for securing DNS infrastructure.

The new product is described by Akamai as an agentless platform offering a consolidated view across a range of DNS providers. According to the company, this allows security teams to detect and respond to DNS-based attacks, certificate security risks, vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in real time.

DNS is fundamental to network functionality, serving as the protocol for resolving domain names for computers, services, and other resources across the Internet and private IP networks. The critical nature of DNS has also made it a favourite target for cyberattacks such as spoofing, cache poisoning, and rogue certificate abuse.

Many large organisations operate multiple DNS systems sourced from a mix of vendors to underpin both their internet and corporate network operations. Akamai notes that this complexity creates ongoing challenges for IT teams, who must keep DNS configurations current and in line with network changes, whilst maintaining proper security and performance settings. Outdated configurations or lapsed certificates can leave organisations exposed to risks, especially as requirements for post-quantum compliance increase.

Security teams also contend with a high volume of alerts and complicated compliance obligations, which, if managed manually, risk allowing major issues to slip through unnoticed. Akamai asserts that automating compliance assessments and integrating these findings into incident management is now critical to efficient security processes.

"DNS security often flies under the radar, but it's vital in keeping businesses secure and running smoothly," said Sean Lyons, SVP and General Manager, Infrastructure Security Solutions & Services, Akamai. "For many organisations, the challenge isn't setting up DNS - it's knowing whether all their systems are actually properly configured and secured. Those organisations really need a simple way to see what's happening across their DNS environment to take action quickly. That's the problem we're solving with DNS Posture Management. Security practitioners get a clear, unified view that helps them identify priority issues early, stay compliant, and keep their networks performing at their best."

Akamai highlights that misconfigurations and known DNS vulnerabilities are common, potentially undermining uptime and reliability. Such issues also increase susceptibility to serious threats including unauthorised SSL/TLS certificate issuance, DNS spoofing, and cache poisoning. Attackers could exploit these weaknesses to create forged websites that mimic a company's branding for activities such as phishing, fraud, or data theft. In some cases, they may be able to render DNS servers inoperable, resulting in service outages for both the business and its customers.

Continuous compliance monitoring is cited by Akamai as necessary to address these risks, especially given expanding regulatory expectations for DNS and certificate management. DNS Posture Management automates compliance checks aligned with standards such as NIST, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, aiming to simplify the process and reduce costs for enterprise users.

The solution integrates a Certificate Monitor, designed to catalogue digital certificates by their associated domains and highlight security issues such as expired, misconfigured, or unauthorised certificates. An HTTP posture analysis capability is also included to assess domains utilising these certificates.

DNS Posture Management supports coverage across major cloud and DNS providers, including Akamai Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The product is positioned as a unified dashboard where security teams can view zones, domains, subdomains, and records in one place.

An additional Managed Security Service is available from Akamai, intended to augment internal resources with continual global security expertise, which the company says is designed to help organisations maximise the benefits of DNS Posture Management.