F5 launches ADC 3.0 to support AI-driven applications

F5 has announced the introduction of ADC 3.0 to secure and deliver modern applications specifically tailored to address the complex demands of AI use cases.

The company disclosed its strategic direction for transforming Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) to meet the needs of AI-driven and modern applications at a time when 75% of enterprises are already deploying AI applications in various forms, according to F5's State of Application Strategy Report. This transformation is intended to confront the challenges of managing massive data quantities, intricate traffic patterns, and heightened security threats associated with these applications.

"The rise of AI and modern applications demands a fundamental rethinking of application security and delivery. Traditional approaches fall short in managing today's complex, distributed systems. Organizations need solutions that provide consistency, flexibility, and complete visibility across their IT landscape. F5 has transformed our technology portfolio to meet these challenges head-on, enabling our customers to confidently secure and deliver advanced digital experiences," stated Kunal Anand, Chief Innovation Officer at F5.

F5 is emphasising the necessity for a new approach to ADCs capable of supporting current hybrid and multicloud infrastructures, and aiming for convergence in high-performance load balancing, web and API security, multicloud networking, and AI gateway capabilities. This evolution marks a significant shift as traditional ADC solutions may not fully meet these modern application delivery requirements.

The introduction of ADC 3.0 leverages infrastructures that have evolved from on-premises data centres with basic security protections to cloud-deployed microservices requiring comprehensive security measures such as API protection and bot defence. As AI applications proliferate, the demand for secure and robust load balancing becomes increasingly critical.

Zeus Kerravala, founder and Principal Analyst at ZK Research, highlighted, "Apps have become more dynamic and more distributed. This trend is expected to continue as AI becomes more ubiquitous throughout the enterprise. As the nature of applications has changed, the ADC naturally needs to evolve as well. The need for robust load balancing and application delivery techniques combined with robust security features that protect data at the application and API level is critical as we enter the era of AI. F5 has been a proven leader in this space, and the company's vision appears to meet the stringent delivery and security requirements that will be ever present in the AI era."

F5 also introduced a comprehensive AI reference architecture aimed at guiding enterprises in managing AI/ML workflows across hybrid and multicloud setups. This framework includes supporting best practices and incorporates F5's Application Delivery Top 10 challenges and OWASP's Top 10 for LLMs, addressing security risks for large language models. The architecture aims to help enterprises align business objectives with AI deployment needs efficiently.

To facilitate this ambitious agenda, F5 announced collaborations with key industry players across different areas. These alliances include partnerships with NVIDIA for compute, Intel for service delivery and security, NetApp and MinIO for data and storage, and OVHcloud for advanced multicloud security. These partnerships aim to streamline and enhance the deployment of AI workloads across enterprises.

F5's commitment to fortifying AI applications against evolving cybersecurity threats, including model theft and data poisoning, remains a key focus within their expanding portfolio of services. The combination of both internal development and strategic partnerships underscores F5's role in advancing AI application security and delivery frameworks suitable for enterprises navigating the complexities of the AI era.