LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream Hosted Solutions, provider of cloud and data center solutions and a part of Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced it has teamed with Imperva to extend the Windstream enterprise security portfolio with an advanced Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Mitigation Service based on Imperva's Web Application Firewall (WAF) and DDoS Protection Services.

"Working with Imperva enables Windstream to help mitigate enterprise security risks by offering a multi-layered approach to enterprise customers when it comes to protecting their high-value applications and data assets in our physical and virtual data centers," said Chris Nicolini, senior vice president of cloud and data center operations. "Using the Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) and DDoS Protection services, our high-capacity DDoS Mitigation Service is even better equipped to handle an influx in volume-based DDoS attacks, reinforcing our "smart solutions, personalized service" commitment to our enterprise customers."

As a provider of Imperva "always on" security solutions, Windstream's DDoS Mitigation Service can secure websites against the largest and smartest DDoS threats that use high volume attacks to overwhelm a business' network or IT environment. The intelligent, multi-layered protection – supported by carrier-grade edge routers - filters out IP attacks and performs real-time analysis to manage DDoS traffic profiling and blocking. The service was designed to automatically defeat attacks without requiring intervention or interrupting service.

Included with this layered approach, the WAF service detects and removes malicious web traffic. The WAF uses intelligent traffic profiling and bot detection technology to accurately weed out threats. This multi-layer approach is continuously updated with the latest detection and defense techniques for the most reliable results.

"The number of DDoS attacks reported by businesses is increasing each year resulting in millions of dollars of damages per hour for some financial and web-based businesses," stated Chris Rodriguez, Senior Analyst for Network Security at Frost & Sullivan. "Windstream Hosted Solutions' DDoS Mitigation Service, based on the Imperva platform, provides an efficient and effective data center security solution that not only protects customer data and brand reputation but also eliminates the requirement for large capital investments in security hardware."

"We're pleased to welcome Windstream into the PartnerSphere program. As an advanced enterprise technology provider, Windstream provides a powerful backbone for security, especially with its nationally distributed data centers and expertise in infrastructure security," said Ted Plumis, Vice President, Worldwide Channels for Imperva. "With Imperva WAF and DDoS Protection Services at the core of the Windstream DDoS Mitigation Service, Windstream customers can feel confident that they have the cyber defenses they need to mitigate the most malicious security threats."

Windstream Hosted Solutions offers a robust cloud-computing solution that dramatically improves the efficiency and availability of IT resources and applications for enterprise businesses, allowing them to rapidly implement cloud services without capital investments so they can reshape their environment on demand. The Windstream Hosted Solutions suite includes public, private and hybrid cloud products, available to businesses nationwide. These managed and dedicated hosting solutions, combined with Windstream's full lineup of advanced network communications and technology products—including voice and data services such as VoIP, SIP trunking, MPLS, and dedicated high-speed internet—allow Windstream to offer its customers a complete set of integrated services.

For more information about Windstream Hosted Solutions, visit windstreambusiness.com.

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About Windstream

Windstream, a FORTUNE 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit the company's online newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow on Twitter at @WindstreamNews.

CONTACT: Tanja Jameson
         501.748.7236
         tanja.jameson@windstream.com