Windstream Unleashes DDoS Protection Service

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Windstream Tuesday introduced its new Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Mitigation Service, aimed at helping customers identify and address attacks in real time.

The security service uses a network of scrubbing centers that ingest and inspect attack traffic upstream from the customer’s network. Keeping attacks at a distance helps insulate a corporation’s network while ensuring that customer traffic is uninterrupted, the company said.

Windstream’s Trent Pham

Trent Pham, head of product for Windstream security services, tells Channel Partners the effectiveness of the service against DDoS attacks was a primary goal, followed by having it at a cost-effective price, and as a simple model with monitoring and mitigation combined.

“I really believe this is a very competitive offering and now it’s going to be available to the channel to sell into the various verticals,” he said. “I think that some of the low-hanging fruit is the financial industry. Banking, credit unions and the regional banks, they definitely are aware of this need and if they’re out there shopping around already for a capability, I really do believe that the Windstream product can win against some of the others that are being sold.”

The service includes both monitoring and mitigation regardless of  the number or size of attacks, according to Windstream. Customers benefit from proactive monitoring to verify an attack and rapidly begin mitigation. Additionally, auto mitigation is an available option on the service to handle short “hit-and- run attacks that can wreak havoc on a network,” it said.

“Some of the other verticals that are going to open up for the channel are education and also health care,” Pham said. “So this does drive an additional product and a new revenue stream for the channel.”

Ideal scenarios for the service include: businesses that have a web presence and allow their end customers to interact with their service accounts online; businesses that use the internet as a medium for communications (VoIP, video, applications); businesses within industries that have a regulatory requirement for protection, such as finance and health care; and businesses that conduct a significant amount of business online, such as eCommerce, SaaS or media.

“This is one of the items that was on the road map proposed from last year and so we’re delivering a capability on an overall security road map and strategy,” Pham said. “So every time we deliver a capability within our direct sales, we’re also delivering this within our indirect channel as well. This is a continuation and you’ll see more capabilities being developed and delivered from Windstream similar to this.”

The service is supported by a backbone across distributed data centers.

“Protection against DDoS attacks is critical as companies look for ways to secure their network and maintain uptime,” said Martha Vazquez, IDC senior research analyst. “Turnkey services like Windstream’s DDoS Mitigation Service are going to be important for enterprises who rely on resilient internet connectivity to support their users, end customers and businesses.”