Nominum

Nominum operated as a specialized provider of DNS-based security and services, establishing itself as a key player in the carrier-grade solutions market before its acquisition by Akamai Technologies. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, the company was co-founded by Paul Mockapetris, the original inventor of the Domain Name System (DNS). Mockapetris, who holds degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering from MIT and a Ph.D. from UC Irvine, brought unparalleled expertise to the firm, having developed the first SMTP email server and the foundational DNS architecture in the 1980s. This deep-rooted history in internet protocols shaped Nominum's mission to advance naming and directory systems for the internet.

The company's business model centered on providing an integrated suite of DNS solutions to fixed and mobile network operators worldwide. Its clientele consisted of over 130 service providers across more than 40 countries, for whom Nominum's technology processed trillions of DNS queries daily. Revenue was generated by licensing its carrier-grade software, which enabled operators to enhance network security, protect subscribers from threats like malware and phishing, and offer monetizable value-added services. The product lineup included the Vantio CacheServe, a high-performance caching DNS server, and Vantio AuthServe, an authoritative DNS service designed to outperform traditional systems. Nominum also developed the N2 Big Data Connector, allowing organizations to analyze vast amounts of DNS data for insights. For mobile operators facing the data explosion, the Nominum Mobile Suite was introduced to improve spectrum efficiency, manage network traffic, and provide greater service visibility.

In late 2017, Akamai Technologies acquired Nominum in an all-cash transaction to bolster its carrier and enterprise security portfolio. The acquisition was a strategic move for Akamai, combining Nominum's carrier-focused DNS security solutions with Akamai's extensive enterprise security offerings and threat intelligence. Gary Messiana, who served as Nominum's CEO from 2011, played a crucial role in steering the company towards this successful exit. Messiana had prior experience selling another company, Netli, to Akamai in 2007, demonstrating a history of building valuable enterprises in the network infrastructure space. The integration aimed to provide a more comprehensive set of security products to identify, block, and mitigate a wide range of cybersecurity threats for a larger combined customer base.

Keywords: DNS security, carrier-grade DNS, network security, service provider solutions, telecommunications security, Paul Mockapetris, DNS infrastructure, mobile network operators, fixed-line operators, Akamai acquisition, Vantio CacheServe, cybersecurity, threat intelligence, DNS analytics, subscriber security, network visibility, malware protection, phishing prevention, value-added services, telecom software