Summary
Akamai, a leading CDN and cybersecurity company, helps e-commerce storefronts, particularly those utilizing WebSphere Commerce, achieve superior performance and essential defense against evolving automated threats by leveraging global edge servers for content delivery and deploying specialized Bot Protection.
- Akamai functions by redirecting user DNS requests (via CNAME) to the nearest Akamai edge server, where cached content (like HTML or images) is delivered, thereby reducing load on the backend and speeding up overall content delivery.
- The WebSphere Commerce platform (now called IBM Sterling Commerce) is a robust e-commerce solution built on top of the WebSphere Application Server (WAS), providing the backend framework for managing online retail, B2C, and B2B solutions.
- Every e-commerce business requires Akamai Bot Protection to mitigate sophisticated, automated threats like credential stuffing, fraudulent transactions, and fake account creation that disrupt operations.
Integrating robust content delivery mechanisms and specialized bot mitigation is essential for any modern e-commerce business seeking to maintain security and optimize the user experience for the future.
Table of contents
What is Akamai
Akamai is one of the leading content delivery networks (CDN) cloud service providers & cybersecurity company widely used by enterprises to enhance performance, security, and scalability. It helps businesses deliver digital content (like websites, videos, apps) quickly and securely to users around the world.
How Akamai Works
The user’s browser looks up www.example.com
The DNS lookup (via CNAME) redirects to an Akamai edge server nearest to the user:
- Akamai checks if the requested content is cached at the edge server (e.g., HTML, images, CSS, JS). If cached, if not cached.
- This caching reduces load on your backend and speeds up delivery & Akamai Applies Security Rules (If enabled).
- Dynamic Content Handling, Performance Optimization & Logging & Analytics
ECommerce
What is WebSphere Application Server (WAS) & WebSphere Commerce
WebSphere Application Server
IBM WebSphere Application Server is a Java EE application server used to deploy, run, and manage enterprise Java applications.
WebSphere Commerce (Now Called IBM Sterling Commerce)
WebSphere Commerce is a robust e-commerce platform built on top of WebSphere Application Server. It provides the backend framework for online retail, B2C, B2B, and marketplace solutions.
How it Works
It is the middleware layer between your front-end (browser/app) and back-end (database, APIs).
- Deploy and Run Java Applications: WAR and EAR files (standard Java EE packages) are deployed to WAS. Handles Requests, Manages Sessions and Security, Connects to Databases, Scales and Clusters, Integrates with Messaging and APIs
- A ready-to-use e-commerce platform built on top of WAS to manage online retail, B2C, and B2B orders, pricing, and more. Storefront, CatLog & Pricing Engine, Shopping Cart & Checkout, Order Management, Customer Account Management, Promotions Engine
Workflow
User → Browser → HTTP Request → WebSphere App Server → Java Web App → Database → Response
Why Every eCommerce Business Needs Akamai Bot Protection in 2025 & the future
In the rapidly evolving world of e-commerce, protecting your online store is no longer just about secure payments or encrypted checkouts. The biggest threats today are stealthy, automated, and constantly evolving — bots. From credential stuffing to fake account creation and fraudulent transactions, bots are disrupting e-commerce in ways many businesses aren’t even aware of.
Contact us for more information.