80+ Akamai Interview Questions and Answers [CDN & Cloud Security – 2025]

Core Akamai Concepts

1. What is Akamai’s role in content delivery?

• Delivers global CDN for fast content distribution.
• Optimizes traffic with Edge servers in 130+ countries.
• Supports video streaming and dynamic content.
• Integrates with CI/CD for config automation.
• Aligns with incident management.
• Ensures low-latency, reliable delivery.
• Enhances user experience globally.

2. How does Akamai’s Edge platform function?

Akamai’s Edge platform uses distributed servers to cache content near users, reducing latency. It supports dynamic acceleration and video delivery, with logs for monitoring. CI/CD automates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, performant content delivery.

3. When is Akamai’s ION used?

ION optimizes web content delivery for static and dynamic assets, ideal for high-traffic sites. It’s less suited for real-time streaming, where Media Services are preferred. CI/CD integration ensures updates, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable CDN performance.

4. Where are Akamai’s Edge servers deployed?

• Over 240,000 servers across 130 countries.
• Located near major ISPs for low latency.
• Peering points optimize traffic routing.
• Logs deployment metrics for analysis.
• Supports CI/CD for edge updates.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure deployments.
• Ensures global content availability.

5. Who configures Akamai’s security policies?

Security engineers set Kona Site Defender WAF rules, SREs monitor threats, and DevOps automate via CI/CD. Logs track security events, aligning with DevSecOps for compliant, secure configurations in production.

6. Which Akamai services enhance cloud security?

• Kona Site Defender for WAF protection.
• Prolexic for DDoS mitigation.
• Bot Manager for bot detection.
• Logs security events for auditing.
• Integrates with Sysdig monitoring.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for scalability.
• Secures cloud-based applications.

7. How does Akamai mitigate DDoS attacks?

Akamai uses Prolexic scrubbing centers, traffic diversion, and behavioral analysis for DDoS mitigation. Logs track attack patterns, and CI/CD updates rules, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient, scalable defense in production.

Explore PagerDuty integration for incident response.

8. What is Akamai’s approach to edge computing?

• EdgeWorkers execute serverless code at the edge.
• Optimizes dynamic content delivery.
• Logs execution metrics for monitoring.
• Integrates with CI/CD for deployments.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure execution.
• Reduces latency for dynamic apps.
• Supports scalable DevOps workflows.

CDN and Performance Scenarios

9. How do you optimize Akamai CDN for video streaming?

Optimize video streaming with Adaptive Media Delivery, configuring bitrate switching and edge caching. Monitor via Akamai Control Center, with CI/CD for rules, aligning with DevSecOps for low-latency, scalable streaming.

10. Why do Akamai CDN cache miss rates increase?

• Short TTLs in cache headers.
• Misconfigured property rules.
• Log cache misses for debugging.
• Integrate with CI/CD for header testing.
• Test with simulated traffic patterns.
• Align with DevSecOps for optimization.
• Improve cache hit ratios.

11. What is Akamai’s Dynamic Site Accelerator?

Dynamic Site Accelerator enhances dynamic content delivery with route optimization and TCP enhancements. Logs track performance, and CI/CD updates rules, aligning with DevSecOps for low-latency DevOps applications.

12. How do you purge Akamai’s CDN cache?

• Use Akamai API for cache invalidation.
• Purge by URL or content tags.
• Log purge events for auditing.
• Integrate with CI/CD for automation.
• Test with simulated cache invalidation.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure purges.
• Ensure fresh content delivery.

13. Where do you monitor Akamai CDN performance?

Monitor via Akamai Control Center, Prometheus metrics, and Grafana dashboards. Logs track cache hits, while CI/CD validates monitoring, aligning with DevSecOps for observable, high-performance CDN operations.

14. Who optimizes Akamai CDN configurations?

DevOps engineers optimize CDN rules, SREs monitor performance, and security teams ensure compliance. Logs track changes, with CI/CD for automation, aligning with DevSecOps for efficient CDN management.

15. Which settings reduce latency in Akamai CDN?

• Enable Dynamic Site Accelerator.
• Set long TTLs for cache headers.
• Use route optimization for traffic.
• Log latency metrics for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule testing.
• Align with Spacelift CI/CD.
• Enhance global content delivery.

Discover Spacelift automation for CDN configs.

DNS Management Scenarios

16. What is Akamai’s approach to DNS management?

Akamai’s Edge DNS provides fast, secure resolution with Anycast routing and DNSSEC. Logs track queries, and CI/CD automates zone updates, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable, secure DNS in production.

17. How do you configure DNS failover in Akamai?

• Create failover policies with health checks.
• Assign backup origins for redundancy.
• Log failover events for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for DNS testing.
• Test with API-based simulations.
• Align with DevSecOps for reliable DNS.
• Ensure high availability for domains.

18. Why does DNS resolution fail in Akamai?

Resolution failures stem from misconfigured records or propagation delays. Validate zones with dig, log errors, and test via API. CI/CD ensures updates, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable DNS operations.

19. Where do you manage Akamai DNS records?

Manage DNS records in Akamai Control Center or via API for automation. Logs track changes, while CI/CD validates updates, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, scalable DNS management.

20. Who handles DNS updates in Akamai?

• Network engineers update zones via dashboard.
• DevOps automate updates with API.
• Log changes for audit trails.
• Integrate with CI/CD for validation.
• Security teams ensure compliance.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure updates.
• Ensure accurate zone management.

21. Which DNS record types are critical for Akamai?

• A/AAAA for IP resolution.
• CNAME for domain aliasing.
• MX for mail server routing.
• TXT for SPF/DKIM authentication.
• Log record changes for analysis.
• Align with Sysdig monitoring.
• Support secure DNS configurations.

22. How do you troubleshoot DNS propagation issues?

Troubleshoot propagation by validating records with dig, checking TTLs, and logging delays. Use Akamai’s Edge DNS, with CI/CD for updates, aligning with DevSecOps for fast, reliable DNS resolution.

Explore Sysdig certification for DNS monitoring.

DDoS Mitigation Scenarios

23. What is Akamai’s DDoS mitigation strategy?

Akamai mitigates DDoS with Prolexic scrubbing centers, rate limiting, and behavioral analysis. Logs track attacks, while CI/CD updates defenses, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient, scalable protection.

24. How do you configure rate limiting for DDoS protection?

• Set thresholds in Akamai Control Center.
• Define request limits per IP.
• Log rate limit events for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule testing.
• Test with simulated traffic loads.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure limiting.
• Block volumetric attacks effectively.

25. Why use Akamai’s Prolexic for DDoS mitigation?

Prolexic provides dedicated scrubbing centers to filter malicious traffic, protecting apps. Logs track attack patterns, and CI/CD updates rules, aligning with DevSecOps for robust, scalable DDoS defense.

26. What happens during a DDoS attack on an Akamai-protected app?

Akamai diverts traffic to Prolexic scrubbing centers, applies rate limiting, and uses WAF rules. Logs analyze attacks, while CI/CD updates defenses, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient mitigation.

27. How do you monitor DDoS attacks in Akamai?

• Use Akamai analytics for attack insights.
• Integrate with Prometheus for metrics.
• Log attack events for debugging.
• Integrate with CI/CD for alert configs.
• Visualize with Grafana dashboards.
• Align with DevSecOps for monitoring.
• Ensure proactive attack detection.

28. Where do you configure Akamai’s SOCC for DDoS protection?

Configure SOCC (Security Operations Control Center) in Akamai Control Center with real-time threat monitoring. Logs track traffic, while CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, scalable protection.

29. Which WAF settings optimize DDoS mitigation?

• Enable Kona managed rules for attacks.
• Configure custom rules for specific threats.
• Log WAF events for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule updates.
• Test with simulated attack traffic.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure WAF.
• Protect against application-layer attacks.

Learn about Spacelift automation for WAF configs.

Cloud Security Scenarios

30. What is Akamai’s Kona Site Defender?

Kona Site Defender is Akamai’s WAF, protecting apps with managed and custom rules. Logs track threats, while CI/CD automates updates, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, scalable cloud security.

31. How do you configure Akamai’s Bot Manager?

• Define bot detection rules in Control Center.
• Use ML for behavioral analysis.
• Log bot activity for auditing.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule updates.
• Test with simulated bot traffic.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure detection.
• Block malicious bots effectively.

32. Why does a Kona WAF rule block legitimate traffic?

WAF blocks legitimate traffic due to overly broad rules or false positives. Review rule expressions, whitelist IPs, and log blocked requests. CI/CD validates changes, aligning with DevSecOps for accurate security.

33. How do you implement Akamai’s Zero Trust model?

Akamai’s Zero Trust uses Enterprise Application Access (EAA) for identity-based access and Secure Internet Access (SIA) for traffic filtering. Logs track access, while CI/CD updates policies, aligning with DevSecOps for secure app access.

34. What is Akamai’s SSL/TLS encryption strategy?

• Automates SSL certificate issuance.
• Supports secure TLS protocols.
• Logs cert renewals for monitoring.
• Integrates with CI/CD for renewals.
• Tests with API-based cert checks.
• Aligns with DevSecOps for secure HTTPS.
• Ensures encrypted traffic delivery.

35. Where do you monitor WAF performance in Akamai?

Monitor WAF via Akamai Control Center, Prometheus metrics, and Grafana dashboards. Logs track rule hits, while CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for observable, secure operations.

36. Who troubleshoots Akamai security policy failures?

Security engineers troubleshoot Kona WAF and Zero Trust failures, validating rules and IdP integrations. SREs monitor logs, while CI/CD tests configs, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable security.

Explore cloud security scenarios for Zero Trust.

Edge Computing Scenarios

37. What are Akamai EdgeWorkers?

EdgeWorkers execute serverless JavaScript at the edge for dynamic content processing. Logs track executions, while CI/CD deploys code, aligning with DevSecOps for scalable, low-latency edge computing.

38. How do you deploy an EdgeWorker?

• Use Akamai CLI for code development.
• Deploy to edge via CI/CD pipelines.
• Log Worker executions for analysis.
• Test in sandbox environment.
• Validate routes with API tests.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure deployments.
• Ensure scalable edge execution.

39. Why does an EdgeWorker fail to execute?

EdgeWorker failures occur due to syntax errors or resource limits. Validate code with Akamai CLI, log errors, and test in sandbox. CI/CD ensures validation, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable execution.

40. Where do you store state for EdgeWorkers?

Store state in Akamai’s EdgeKV for key-value data. Logs track storage operations, while CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for stateful, scalable edge applications.

41. Who manages EdgeWorker deployments?

DevOps engineers manage EdgeWorker deployments via Akamai CLI and CI/CD. SREs monitor performance, while security teams ensure compliance. Logs track deployments, aligning with DevSecOps for secure edge management.

42. Which limits affect Akamai EdgeWorkers?

• CPU time limits per execution.
• Memory constraints for scripts.
• Log execution metrics for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for optimization.
• Test in sandbox for compliance.
• Align with DevSecOps for scalability.
• Ensure efficient edge performance.

43. How do you optimize EdgeWorkers for performance?

Optimize EdgeWorkers by minimizing subrequests, using EdgeKV caching, and logging execution times. Test with Akamai CLI, and integrate with CI/CD for validation, aligning with DevSecOps for low-latency edge computing.

Learn about real-time cloud security for EdgeWorkers.

System Design Scenarios

44. How do you design an Akamai CDN system?

Design a CDN with Anycast routing, edge caching, and load balancing. Logs monitor performance, while CI/CD deploys configs, aligning with DevSecOps for scalable, high-performance content delivery.

45. What is the system design for Akamai’s Zero Trust?

• EAA for identity-based access control.
• SIA for secure traffic filtering.
• Logs access events for auditing.
• Integrate with CI/CD for policy updates.
• Test with simulated user access.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure design.
• Ensure enterprise-grade security.

46. How do you architect a DDoS mitigation system?

Architect DDoS mitigation with Prolexic scrubbing, rate limiting, and WAF rules. Logs track attacks, while CI/CD updates defenses, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient, scalable protection.

47. Why design a load balancer for Akamai?

A load balancer distributes traffic across origins with health checks and geo-steering. Logs monitor balancing, while CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable application delivery.

48. How do you design a low-latency DNS resolver?

• Use Anycast for nearest server routing.
• Enable DNSSEC for security.
• Log resolution queries for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for DNS updates.
• Test with dig for resolution speed.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure DNS.
• Ensure fast, reliable resolutions.

49. What is the architecture for Akamai EdgeWorkers?

EdgeWorkers use V8 isolates for serverless execution, with EdgeKV for storage. Logs track performance, while CI/CD deploys code, aligning with DevSecOps for scalable, low-latency edge computing.

50. How do you design a secure WAF system?

• Use Kona managed rules for common threats.
• Configure custom rules for specific attacks.
• Log rule hits for debugging.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule updates.
• Test with simulated attack traffic.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure WAF.
• Protect applications effectively.

Understand cloud security engineering for WAF design.

Troubleshooting Scenarios

51. What causes an Akamai CDN outage?

CDN outages result from misconfigured cache rules or origin failures. Validate headers, log cache misses, and test origins. CI/CD ensures updates, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable content delivery.

52. How do you troubleshoot a DNS failure in Akamai?

• Validate records with dig or nslookup.
• Check zone configs in Control Center.
• Log resolution errors for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for DNS testing.
• Test failover with API simulations.
• Align with DevSecOps for reliable DNS.
• Resolve outages quickly.

53. Why does a Kona WAF rule cause downtime?

WAF downtime occurs due to broad rules blocking legitimate traffic. Review expressions, whitelist IPs, and log blocked requests. CI/CD validates changes, aligning with DevSecOps for accurate WAF operations.

54. How do you debug an EdgeWorker failure?

Debug EdgeWorker failures by checking logs for errors, validating code with Akamai CLI, and testing in sandbox. CI/CD ensures validation, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable edge execution.

55. What causes a Zero Trust policy failure?

• Misconfigured EAA or IdP settings.
• Incorrect SIA filtering rules.
• Log authentication failures for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for policy testing.
• Test with simulated user access.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure policies.
• Ensure reliable authentication.

56. Where do you monitor Akamai performance issues?

Monitor via Akamai Control Center, Prometheus metrics, and Grafana dashboards. Logs track issues, while CI/CD validates monitoring, aligning with DevSecOps for observable infrastructure.

57. Who handles DDoS mitigation in Akamai?

SREs configure Prolexic and WAF rules, security engineers update defenses, and logs track attacks. CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient DDoS protection.

Learn cloud security for DDoS mitigation.

Coding and Implementation Scenarios

58. How do you implement a rate limiter for Akamai?

Implement a rate limiter using token bucket algorithm with Redis for distributed state. Log rate limit events, and integrate with CI/CD for testing, aligning with DevSecOps for secure DDoS protection.

59. What is the complexity of Akamai’s DNS lookup?

• Uses trie for O(log n) prefix matching.
• Optimizes with Anycast routing.
• Log lookup times for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for code testing.
• Test with simulated DNS queries.
• Align with DevSecOps for efficient DNS.
• Ensure fast resolution performance.

60. How do you code an EdgeWorker for API routing?

• Use JavaScript for dynamic routing logic.
• Define routes in Akamai CLI.
• Log routing decisions for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for deployments.
• Test in sandbox environment.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure Workers.
• Ensure low-latency API routing.

61. Why use Golang for Akamai’s backend systems?

Golang’s goroutines enable high-throughput networking with low memory usage. Logs monitor performance, while CI/CD deploys code, aligning with DevSecOps for performant backend operations.

62. How do you implement an LRU cache for CDN?

Implement an LRU cache with a hash map and doubly linked list for O(1) access in Golang. Log cache operations, and integrate with CI/CD for testing, aligning with DevSecOps for efficient caching.

63. What is the approach to coding a DDoS detector?

• Use anomaly detection for traffic patterns.
• Implement in Golang with Prometheus metrics.
• Log suspicious traffic for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for model testing.
• Test with simulated attack datasets.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure detection.
• Enhance proactive DDoS mitigation.

64. How do you code a consistent hash ring for load balancing?

Code a consistent hash ring with virtual nodes in Golang for balanced distribution. Log hash operations, and integrate with CI/CD for testing, aligning with DevSecOps for scalable load balancing.

Explore SRE FAQs for coding prep.

Production Scenarios

65. What causes a production CDN outage?

CDN outages result from misconfigured cache rules or origin failures. Validate headers, log cache misses, and test origins. CI/CD ensures updates, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable content delivery.

66. How do you troubleshoot a production DNS failure?

• Validate records with dig or nslookup.
• Check zone configs in Control Center.
• Log resolution errors for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for DNS testing.
• Test failover with API simulations.
• Align with DevSecOps for reliable DNS.
• Resolve outages quickly.

67. Why does a production WAF rule cause downtime?

WAF downtime occurs due to broad rules blocking legitimate traffic. Review expressions, whitelist IPs, and log blocked requests. CI/CD validates changes, aligning with DevSecOps for secure WAF operations.

68. How do you handle a production DDoS attack?

Handle DDoS attacks by enabling Prolexic scrubbing, configuring WAF rules, and rate limiting. Logs track attack patterns, while CI/CD updates defenses, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient mitigation.

69. What causes an EdgeWorker to exceed resource limits?

• Complex logic or excessive subrequests.
• Log execution times for analysis.
• Optimize code with Akamai CLI.
• Integrate with CI/CD for validation.
• Use EdgeKV caching for efficiency.
• Align with DevSecOps for scalability.
• Ensure reliable performance.

70. How do you manage a production SSL cert expiration?

Manage cert expiration with Akamai’s automated renewals, monitoring via API checks, and logging events. CI/CD automates alerts, aligning with DevSecOps for secure, uninterrupted HTTPS in production.

71. Where do you monitor production performance issues?

Monitor via Akamai Control Center, Prometheus metrics, and Grafana dashboards. Logs track issues, while CI/CD validates monitoring, aligning with DevSecOps for observable infrastructure.

Learn GitLab practices for monitoring.

Advanced Scenarios

72. What causes a DNS failover failure in production?

DNS failover failures occur due to misconfigured pools or health checks. Validate configs with API, log failover events, and test simulations. CI/CD ensures validation, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable DNS.

73. How do you configure Zero Trust for production apps?

• Define EAA policies with IdP integration.
• Use SIA for secure traffic filtering.
• Log authentication for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for policy testing.
• Test with simulated user access.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure Zero Trust.
• Protect app authentication.

74. Why does a production app show high CDN latency?

High latency results from suboptimal routing or cache misses. Optimize with Dynamic Site Accelerator, validate headers, and log performance. CI/CD ensures updates, aligning with DevSecOps for low-latency delivery.

75. How do you debug an EdgeWorker failure in production?

Debug EdgeWorker failures by checking logs for errors, validating code with Akamai CLI, and testing in sandbox. CI/CD ensures validation, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable edge execution.

76. What causes a WAF false positive in production?

• Broad rule expressions blocking legitimate traffic.
• Log blocked requests for analysis.
• Review rules and whitelist IPs.
• Integrate with CI/CD for rule testing.
• Test with simulated legitimate traffic.
• Align with DevSecOps for secure WAF.
• Ensure accurate threat detection.

77. Where do you validate Akamai configs in production?

Validate configs in staging via Akamai API and Control Center, logging errors. CI/CD automates testing, aligning with DevSecOps for reliable configurations in DNS, WAF, and EdgeWorkers.

78. Who manages a production DDoS mitigation scenario?

SREs configure Prolexic and WAF rules, security engineers update defenses, and logs track attacks. CI/CD validates configs, aligning with DevSecOps for resilient DDoS protection.

Explore GitLab CI/CD for automation.

Advanced Coding Scenarios

79. How do you implement a token bucket rate limiter?

Implement a token bucket rate limiter in Golang with Redis for distributed state, allowing controlled bursts. Log rate limit events, and integrate with CI/CD for testing, aligning with DevSecOps for secure DDoS protection.

80. What is the complexity of Akamai’s BGP routing?

• Uses trie for O(log n) prefix matching.
• Optimizes with BGP announcements.
• Log route lookups for analysis.
• Integrate with CI/CD for code testing.
• Test with simulated BGP routes.
• Align with DevSecOps for efficient routing.
• Ensure fast traffic handling.

81. How do you code an EdgeWorker for CDN caching?

Code an EdgeWorker using JavaScript with EdgeKV for storage and Cache API for responses. Log cache operations, and integrate with CI/CD for testing, aligning with DevSecOps for efficient edge caching.

82. How do you optimize Akamai EdgeWorkers for low latency?

Optimize EdgeWorkers by minimizing subrequests, using EdgeKV caching, and logging execution times. Test with Akamai CLI, and integrate with CI/CD for validation, aligning with DevSecOps for low-latency edge computing.

Learn GitLab CI/CD for coding automation.