Enterprises Struggling to Defend Against DDoS Attacks Now Benefit from Enhanced Mitigation

Level 3 Is Building a More Secure Network; First Global Carrier to Launch BGP Flowspec Capability

BROOMFIELD, Colorado, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Level 3 Communications (NYSE: LVLT) deployed Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Flowspec on its global backbone. The capability is one of the largest deployments in the industry, leveraging Level 3's more than 43 terabits of backbone capacity and protecting its peering points. BGP Flowspec allows for rapid threat mitigation across the Level 3 backbone, shutting down volumetric attacks and providing a more secure network for its customers.

This enhancement to Level 3's suite of security solutions better provides responsive service capabilities for customers while at the same time helping to create a safer internet ecosystem. Enterprises need a DDoS mitigation service provider with the tools and expertise to fight these large-scale, potentially expensive attacks.

How It Works:

• BGP is the protocol all internet routers use to talk to each other.
• BGP Flowspec uses the BGP protocol to distribute flow specification filters to network routers – if a threat is identified, the Level 3 DDoS infrastructure inputs a rule to block or deny traffic related to the threat by its source, destination and a number of other characteristics.
• The malicious traffic is systematically and temporarily filtered off the network, blocking threats globally before they have time to form fully or scale and affect a customer.

Key Facts:

• Level 3 has both the network architecture and skilled professionals in place to leverage this threat-fighting tool.
• As a global network services provider, Level 3 has an expansive view of worldwide internet traffic and a broad view of threats.
• In an industry with so few qualified resources, Level 3 has security operations center professionals in five global locations trained to use this powerful tool.
• BGP Flowspec is built into Level 3's Network Protection and DDoS Mitigation services.

Key Quote:

Chris Rodriguez, Senior Industry Analyst, Network Security, Frost & Sullivan
"DDoS attacks generated by use of amplification and reflection techniques can easily overwhelm onsite DDoS appliances. Enterprises need a solution that scales, can provide swift mitigation and has the capacity to handle the 500 Gbps attacks targeting corporations today. Using the power of BGP Flowspec, Level 3's DDoS Mitigation and Network Protect security products offer the scalability, rapid response times and network-based cloud solutions enterprises need to mitigate DDoS attacks that are only increasing in frequency, magnitude and sophistication."

Anthony Christie, Chief Marketing Officer, Level 3
"Enterprises face a new cybersecurity challenge every day – from pre-attack scans to malware to increased volumetric DDoS attacks. They need adaptive and efficient solutions to protect their business, security personnel bench strength to avoid draining their limited resources and a secure network they can depend on. Our global deployment of BGP Flowspec provides unparalleled capacity and protection from large-scale attacks. Level 3's trained professionals manage this powerful tool so that customers can scale for business growth, not cyber defense."

Additional Resources:

• Watch the video to learn more about The Role of the Network in Cybersecurity
• Watch the video. See how Level 3 approaches Network-based Security
• Learn more about Level 3 DDoS Mitigation Service

About Level 3 Communications
Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) is a Fortune 500 company that provides local, national and global communications services to enterprise, government and carrier customers. Level 3's comprehensive portfolio of secure, managed solutions includes fiber and infrastructure solutions; IP-based voice and data communications; wide-area Ethernet services; video and content distribution; data center and cloud-based solutions. Level 3 serves customers in more than 500 markets in over 60 countries across a global services platform anchored by owned fiber networks on three continents and connected by extensive undersea facilities. For more information, please visit www.level3.com or get to know us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

© Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, Level (3) and the Level 3 Logo are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and elsewhere. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Level 3 services are provided by subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statement
Some statements made in this press release are forward-looking in nature and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside Level 3's control, which could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Important factors that could prevent Level 3 from achieving its stated goals include, but are not limited to, the company's ability to: increase revenue from its services to realize its targets for financial and operating performance; develop and maintain effective business support systems; manage system and network failures or disruptions; avert the breach of its network and computer system security measures; develop new services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; manage the future expansion or adaptation of its network to remain competitive; defend intellectual property and proprietary rights; manage risks associated with continued uncertainty in the global economy; manage continued or accelerated decreases in market pricing for communications services; obtain capacity for its network from other providers and interconnect its network with other networks on favorable terms; successfully integrate future acquisitions; effectively manage political, legal, regulatory, foreign currency and other risks it is exposed to due to its substantial international operations; mitigate its exposure to contingent liabilities; and meet all of the terms and conditions of its debt obligations. Additional information concerning these and other important factors can be found within Level 3's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors. Level 3 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Related Links

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SOURCE Level 3 Communications