BBIX and F5 Forge Strategic Partnership in Application and Network Security

BBIX and F5 Forge Strategic Partnership in Application and Network Security

Leveraging cloud-based network service “OCX”,
Japan and global tech leaders collaborate on service development to address next-generation IT needs

BBIX, Inc. (“BBIX”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. that operates an Internet Exchange (“IX”) business, and F5 Networks Japan GK (“F5”), a global leader in application, delivery and security, announced a new strategic partnership to collaborate on the planning, development, and marketing of next-generation security services and solutions in the application and network security domains.

In recent years, the sophistication of cyberattacks and advances in AI utilization have made it difficult for traditional perimeter defenses alone to provide sufficient protection. Addressing this issue, the two companies are collaborating to integrate F5’s advanced security technology with the cloud-based network service “Open Connectivity eXchange” (“OCX”) jointly provided by BBIX and BBSakura Networks, Inc. This collaboration will provide comprehensive and flexible countermeasures spanning both network and application layers to enterprises and government agencies. Through this initiative, BBIX and F5 will widely deploy solutions developed to create new value suited to the rapidly changing security environment through BBIX and OCX partner providers.

As a leading company in the NaaS (Network as a Service) domain, BBIX has provided cloud-native network services that enable instant configuration changes anytime. Leveraging this infrastructure, BBIX and F5 are advancing collaborative service development initiatives with tech-leading companies across industries to address next-generation IT needs.

F5 possesses a proven track record and advanced technologies in the fields of application delivery and application/ cloud security that are widely adopted globally. By maximizing their respective strengths, the two companies aim to create next-generation security services that enable enterprises and government agencies to advance their digital transformation (DX) with confidence.

■ About the Collaboration

1. Joint planning and development of next-generation security services
Combining BBIX’s NaaS platform and the flexible, highly scalable network environment provided by “OCX” with F5’s advanced application/ cloud security technologies, BBIX and F5 will jointly plan and develop new security services for enterprises and government agencies.

2. Enhancing brand value through co-creation marketing
Both companies will strategically execute marketing activities based on this collaboration. Through joint communications and market awareness initiatives, BBIX and F5 aim to enhance the visibility of both companies’ brand value and offerings, expanding market recognition and strengthening reach.

BBIX and F5 will continue to build secure foundations supporting the digital shift of society and industry, contributing to the optimal utilization and deployment of infrastructure and maximizing connectivity across Japan.

■ Executive Comments
Hideyuki Sasaki, President and CEO, BBIX, Inc.
“We are delighted to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership with F5, a global leader in application security. As cyberattacks grow increasingly sophisticated and AI adoption advances, infrastructure demands more advanced and comprehensive defenses. Through this collaboration, BBIX and F5 will combine BBIX’s high-quality connectivity with F5’s cutting-edge technology to forge ahead in building a secure foundation that supports Japan’s digital shift.”

Masanori Kimura, Country Manager, F5 Networks Japan GK
“We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with BBIX, a leader in the NaaS domain. In recent years, the operation of applications and networks has grown increasingly complex, particularly due to advances in AI, demanding more sophisticated capabilities such as external data integration and real-time decision-making processing. By leveraging the synergy between BBIX’s network technology, which combines flexibility and scalability, and F5’s application/cloud security technology, BBIX and F5 will powerfully support the digital transformation (DX) of our corporate and government agency customers.”

About BBIX
Company Name: BBIX, Inc.
URL: https://www.bbix.net/en/
Headquarters: 1-9-10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Hideyuki Sasaki, President & CEO
Date of establishment: June 13, 2003
Capital: 100 million yen
Ownership: 100% owned by SoftBank Corp.
Business: Telecommunications operator under Japan’s Telecommunications Business Act; leasing, maintenance & management of telecommunications equipment; development, sales, maintenance & management of computer hardware/software

About F5
Company Name: F5 Networks Japan GK
URL：https://www.f5.com/ja_jp/
Headquarters: Akasaka Garden City, 19th Floor 4-15-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: President and CEO
Date of establishment: January, 2000
Capital: 10 million yen
Business: Application traffic management products, and solutions for application delivery and security that support multi-cloud environments.

■ Contacts for Media Inquiries
BBIX, Inc. Public Relations
E-mail: pr@bbix.net

F5 Public Relations Office
(Kyodo PR Inc.) Otsuka, Katsuro
E-mail：F5-pr@kyodo-pr.co.jp

● The company names and service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.

● The content, products, specifications, contact information and other information contained in this press release are as of the date of announcement. This information is subject to change without notice.