What is the primary function of Akamai's Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

The primary function of Akamai's Web Application Firewall (WAF) is to protect web applications from common threats. WAFs are specifically designed to monitor and filter HTTP traffic to and from web applications, providing security measures against various types of attacks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. By actively inspecting incoming and outgoing traffic, the WAF can identify and block malicious requests, thereby safeguarding the applications and the sensitive data they handle.

The other options focus on different aspects of web performance and management but do not capture the core security function of the WAF. Optimizing load times, for instance, is a function typically associated with content delivery networks (CDNs) and other performance-enhancing technologies. Caching web content serves to improve delivery speeds and reduce server load, but it does not address security concerns. Managing user authentication processes is crucial for application security but falls under the realm of identity management rather than the specific protective role of a WAF. Thus, focusing on the protection against threats distinctly defines the role of Akamai's Web Application Firewall.