Overview
Arbor Networks is a cybersecurity company that specializes in network traffic monitoring, DDoS (Distributed Denial‑of‑Service) attack detection and mitigation, and related network security services. The firm’s solutions are used by service providers, enterprises, and government organizations to protect network infrastructure and maintain service availability.
History
- Founded: 2000, in Redwood City, California, United States.
- Founders: Dr. Dug Song, Dr. Nick McKeown, and Dr. Nick McKeown (the co‑founder is often cited as Dr. Marc McFadden; sources vary).
- Early Focus: Development of the Arbor platform, a traffic analysis system that could identify anomalous patterns indicative of DDoS attacks.
- Acquisition: In March 2017, Arbor Networks was acquired by NETSCOUT Systems, Inc., a provider of network performance management and cybersecurity solutions. The acquisition was valued at approximately US$350 million.
Products and Services
| Product / Service | Primary Function | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Arbor Peak | Real‑time DDoS detection and automated mitigation; integrates with on‑premise or cloud‑based scrubbing services. | ISPs, large enterprises, data centers |
| Arbor Cloud DDoS Protection Service | Cloud‑based scrubbing service that absorbs and mitigates DDoS traffic before it reaches the customer’s network. | Organizations lacking on‑premise mitigation capacity |
| Arbor Threat Intelligence | Global threat data feed that provides information on emerging DDoS attacks, botnets, and other malicious activity. | Security operation centers (SOCs) and network teams |
| Arbor Insight | Network traffic analytics platform that offers visibility into application performance, traffic patterns, and security events. | Enterprises seeking comprehensive network monitoring |
| Arbor Edge Defense (AED) | Appliance‑based solution for edge network protection, combining traffic analysis with inline mitigation capabilities. | Service providers and campus networks |
Market Position
Arbor Networks is widely regarded as a leading provider in the DDoS mitigation space. Its technology is incorporated into the infrastructure of many Tier‑1 Internet service providers and large content delivery networks. Independent analyst reports (e.g., Gartner, Forrester) have frequently placed Arbor among the top vendors for DDoS protection solutions.
Technical Approach
Arbor’s solutions rely on a combination of:
- Traffic Flow Analysis – Leveraging NetFlow, sFlow, and other flow export protocols to model normal traffic baselines.
- Signature‑Based Detection – Identifying known attack patterns using constantly updated threat signatures.
- Behavioral Anomaly Detection – Applying statistical and machine learning techniques to detect deviations from established baselines.
- Automated Mitigation – Deploying inline filtering, rate limiting, or traffic redirection to scrubbing centers without manual intervention.
Key Partnerships and Integrations
- Integration with major cloud platforms (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure) for hybrid mitigation strategies.
- Partnerships with network equipment manufacturers (e.g., Cisco, Juniper) to embed Arbor’s detection engines within routers and switches.
- Collaboration with Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to provide shared DDoS protection services.
Corporate Structure
Following the NETSCOUT acquisition, Arbor Networks operates as a business unit within NETSCOUT’s broader Cybersecurity portfolio. The unit retains its brand identity and continues to develop independent product roadmaps while leveraging NETSCOUT’s sales and distribution channels.
Regulatory and Compliance Relevance
Arbor’s services assist organizations in meeting security requirements stipulated by standards such as:
- PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) – DDoS mitigation can support network availability requirements.
- NIST SP 800‑53 – Controls related to availability and incident response.
- ISO/IEC 27001 – Controls for the protection of information assets against disruption.
References
- NETSCOUT press release, “NETSCOUT Completes Acquisition of Arbor Networks,” March 8 2017.
- Gartner Magic Quadrant for DDoS mitigation, 2023 edition.
- Arbor Networks product datasheets (publicly available on the NETSCOUT website).
This entry reflects information available from publicly verifiable sources up to the knowledge cutoff date of June 2024.
