Company snapshot
| Category | Imperva | NTT Communications |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | defunct |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Imperva provides a cloud-based CDN integrated with its Web Application and API Protection (WAAP) platform, focusing on security and performance. The service includes content caching, load balancing, and global Points of Presence (PoPs) to deliver low-latency web experiences. It offers robust DDoS protection, a Web Application Firewall (WAF), and bot mitigation, making it suitable for enterprises prioritizing security. Imperva serves industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, with clients such as Mediolanum and Vodafone. The company, founded in 2002 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, was acquired by Thales in 2019. Its CDN is part of a broader cybersecurity suite, emphasizing secure content delivery.
NTT Communications, a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, provided a content delivery network (CDN) through its Smart Data Platform, powered by EdgeCast, offering global content delivery for enterprises. The service, launched in 1999, supported various industries with robust network infrastructure until its deprecation in 2025. Following the sale of Edgio’s CDN business, NTT Communications announced the shutdown of its CDN platform, with services ceasing on January 15, 2025. Customers were advised to migrate to Akamai to maintain CDN functionality.
Network & Architecture
Imperva operates a global network with PoPs in North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, including data centers in cities like Tokyo, New Delhi, and Miami. The exact number of PoPs is not publicly disclosed, but the network supports traffic rerouting during maintenance to ensure availability. It uses machine learning for dynamic caching and integrates with major peering partners for optimized routing. Regional strengths include North America and EMEA, with ongoing expansions in APAC and LATAM. Maintenance schedules, such as the August 2025 migrations in Hong Kong and Paris, ensure minimal disruption for Cloud WAF customers. Limitations include less transparency on PoP counts compared to competitors like Cloudflare.
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Feature comparison
| Feature | Imperva | NTT Communications |
|---|---|---|
waf | ✓ | ✗ |
bot_mitigation | ✓ | ✗ |
ddos | ✓ | ✗ |
rate_limit | ✗ | ✗ |
http3_quic | ✓ | ✗ |
tls13 | ✓ | ✗ |
tiered_cache | ✓ | ✗ |
origin_shield | ✓ | ✗ |
instant_purge | ✓ | ✓ |
stale_while_revalidate | ✗ | ✗ |
stale_if_error | ✗ | ✗ |
image_optimization | ✓ | ✗ |
video_vod | ✓ | ✗ |
video_live | ✓ | ✗ |
drm | ✗ | ✗ |
hls_dash_packaging | ✗ | ✗ |
websockets | ✓ | ✗ |
signed_urls | ✓ | ✗ |
edge_compute | ✗ | ✗ |
functions | ✗ | ✗ |
kv_storage | ✗ | ✗ |
api_first | ✓ | ✓ |
realtime_logs | ✓ | ✓ |
log_push | ✓ | ✗ |
terraform | ✗ | ✗ |
Legend: ✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported, — = Not listed
Pricing
Imperva uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with enterprise-focused pricing, typically requiring custom quotes. No free tier or public per-GB pricing is available, as plans are tailored for high-security use cases. Volume-based discounts are offered for committed contracts. Pricing details are available at https://www.imperva.com/pricing/. The model suits large organizations but may be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses.
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Integrations & DevEx
Imperva provides APIs for configuration and management, supporting an API-first approach. Realtime logs and analytics are accessible via the Imperva Management Portal, with log push for integration into external systems. No public documentation confirms Terraform or specific SDK support, limiting Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) options. Migration tools are not emphasized, but the platform supports standard CDN configurations. Developers may find the API robust but less flexible for CI/CD pipelines compared to Fastly or Akamai.
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When it fits
- Enterprises needing a CDN with strong security features like WAF and DDoS protection.
- Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare) requiring robust compliance and bot mitigation.
- Organizations with global audiences benefiting from Imperva’s PoP distribution and low-latency delivery.
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When it doesn’t
- Small businesses or startups seeking cost-effective, free-tier, or transparent pricing models.
- Developers needing extensive IaC support, such as Terraform or advanced CI/CD integrations.
- Companies focused on edge compute or serverless functions, which Imperva does not currently offer.
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History & Notes
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NTT Communications leveraged its telecom expertise to deliver CDN services, primarily targeting enterprise clients in Asia and globally. The partnership with EdgeCast enabled features like instant purge and real-time logs, but the service’s reliance on Edgio led to its discontinuation after the 2024 asset sale to Akamai. Some customers may still access archived documentation or support through NTT’s sales channels during the transition period.