F5 Launches New AI-Powered Data Leakage Detection and Prevention Capabilities to Secure AI Workloads and Encrypted Traffic

F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV), a global leader in application and API security, has announced a significant upgrade to its Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) with the introduction of AI-powered data leakage detection and prevention features. The enhancements are designed to secure sensitive information and address the rising challenges of AI integration, encrypted traffic, and hybrid cloud environments.

As AI adoption accelerates across industries, organizations face growing threats from unauthorized AI use ("Shadow AI") and exposed sensitive data moving through encrypted channels. In response, F5 has introduced cutting-edge capabilities that provide real-time visibility, data protection, and policy enforcement across applications, APIs, and AI services.

Enhancing AI Security and Compliance

The new functionalities focus on detecting and preventing data leaks in AI-driven environments, with extended support through F5 AI Gateway and F5 BIG-IP SSL Orchestrator. These tools empower organizations to:

• Detect, classify, and stop data leaks in encrypted and AI-generated traffic in real time.

• Prevent sensitive data exposure through unauthorized AI tools.

• Enforce consistent security and compliance policies across digital infrastructures.

Kunal Anand, Chief Innovation Officer at F5, explained the importance of the updates:

“The core tension in every boardroom today is the race to adopt AI versus the mandate to protect the firm’s data. We’re eliminating that choice. By providing deep visibility into encrypted AI conversations, we're giving leaders the controls to stop data leakage and govern AI use, effectively turning the CISO from a gatekeeper into the primary enabler of secure innovation.”

New Capabilities in F5 AI Gateway

Planned for release later this quarter, F5 AI Gateway’s data protection features—powered by F5’s recent acquisition of LeakSignal—will:

• Examine AI prompts and responses for personally identifiable and sensitive data.

• Apply user-defined policies to redact, block, or log sensitive information.

• Generate audit-ready reports and logs compatible with SIEM tools.

These capabilities are particularly critical for businesses operating in regulated sectors, such as finance and healthcare, ensuring data security in multicloud and hybrid environments.

BIG-IP SSL Orchestrator Enhancements

To combat Shadow AI risks, F5 is also enhancing its BIG-IP SSL Orchestrator to:

• Provide real-time visibility into encrypted traffic flows.

• Detect and block unauthorized AI use and data sharing.

• Decrypt encrypted traffic at scale without compromising performance.

• Offer centralized dashboards for audits and regulatory investigations.

The enhanced orchestrator will become available by late 2025, offering unmatched capabilities for organizations striving to maintain control over AI usage and secure data flows.

Addressing the AI-Data Dilemma

F5’s newly enhanced platform positions the company at the forefront of AI-driven cybersecurity, enabling organizations to strike a balance between innovation and information protection. These tools simplify compliance, mitigate risks from unauthorized data usage, and enable secure deployment of AI workloads across evolving IT environments.