On November 12, 2025, F5, Inc. and CrowdStrike announced a strategic technology alliance that embeds CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor and OverWatch threat‑hunting services directly into the F5 BIG‑IP platform. The integration is available immediately on BIG‑IP Virtual Edition and will be released for hardware appliances by the end of 2025, giving F5 customers a unified, AI‑driven security stack that protects both endpoints and the network edge.
F5 is offering eligible BIG‑IP customers complimentary access to the new security features through October 14, 2026, a 12‑month incentive that is expected to accelerate adoption. More than 200 customers are already using Falcon on BIG‑IP, indicating strong early traction and validating the value proposition of combining endpoint detection with application delivery and security.
The alliance fits into F5’s broader transformation from a hardware‑centric company to a security‑first, hybrid‑cloud platform. By normalizing CrowdStrike’s detection and response sensors across every attack surface, F5 can deliver a single point of control for both application delivery and threat intelligence, positioning itself more directly against competitors such as Cisco, Akamai, and Fortinet. The partnership also reinforces F5’s focus on AI‑driven security, a key growth area in the hybrid‑cloud market.
CEO François Locoh‑Donou emphasized that “network devices have lacked the same protection as other endpoints, even as they sit in front of the world’s most critical applications and APIs.” He also noted that a recent security incident had prompted F5 to raise its security bar across all products, a context that underscores the urgency of the alliance. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz added that the integration “normalizes the deployment of detection and response sensors across every attack surface, including network appliances,” highlighting the strategic importance of extending Falcon beyond endpoints.
F5’s Q3 and Q4 FY2025 earnings provide context for the alliance’s impact. In Q3, revenue rose to $780 million, beating analyst expectations of $752.79 million, while non‑GAAP EPS of $4.16 surpassed the forecast of $3.50. The beat was driven by strong demand in the software and services segments, offsetting modest pressure in the legacy hardware segment. In Q4, revenue reached $810 million, again exceeding expectations, and non‑GAAP EPS of $4.39 beat the $3.97 forecast. Management cited a “more modest” FY26 outlook, which tempered the market’s reaction despite the strong quarterly results. Analysts noted that forward‑looking guidance and recent headwinds—particularly the security incident—contributed to a cautious investor response.
The market’s muted reaction to the earnings, coupled with the announcement of the alliance, signals that investors are weighing the company’s long‑term security strategy against short‑term operational challenges. The free access period and early customer adoption suggest that the partnership will generate incremental revenue over time, while the strategic shift toward AI‑driven, hybrid‑cloud security positions F5 to capture a larger share of the evolving security market.
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