How does Akamai handle SSL termination?

Akamai handles SSL termination by decrypting traffic at edge servers. This process allows secure connections to be established between end users and Akamai's edge servers, thereby facilitating the handling of SSL/TLS traffic in a manner that enhances performance and security.

When SSL termination occurs at the edge, it means that once a user's encrypted request reaches the nearest Akamai edge server, that server decrypts the SSL traffic before passing it onto the origin server. This approach not only offloads the computational burden of SSL decryption from the origin server but also reduces latency by enabling faster communication between the edge and the origin servers. As a result, users experience quicker load times for their requests while maintaining the security of user data during transmission.

This method is particularly beneficial for web applications that require high availability and performance, as it enables Akamai to optimize caching and content delivery while ensuring data is transmitted securely at the same time.

While encrypting data at the origin server is important for maintaining security during its journey through the internet, it is not directly related to the process of SSL termination as handled by Akamai. Similarly, routing all traffic through a central point is not a typical operational strategy for Akamai's distributed network, which aims to hit multiple points of presence (