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.

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.

Features

Imperva’s CDN includes a WAF for application-layer security and DDoS protection against network attacks. Bot mitigation uses behavioral analysis to block malicious traffic. Image optimization and video streaming (VoD and live) are supported, leveraging global PoPs for low latency. The platform offers HTTP/3 and QUIC for faster connections, TLS 1.3 for security, and tiered caching for efficiency. Origin Shield protects source servers, and instant purge allows rapid content updates. WebSockets and signed URLs are supported for real-time and secure content delivery. Realtime logs and analytics, plus log push via APIs, enhance monitoring, with an API-first approach for configuration.

Pricing Snapshot (2025-08-16)

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.

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.

When it fits / When it doesn’t

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.

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.