An Application Delivery Controller (ADC) is a network appliance or software solution that optimizes the performance, availability, and security of enterprise applications. Operating as a critical component within network security architectures, ADCs intelligently manage user traffic destined for application servers through advanced load balancing, distributing incoming requests across multiple servers to ensure optimal resource utilization and maintain high availability during peak demand.

Beyond performance optimization, ADCs significantly enhance cybersecurity by offloading SSL/TLS encryption from application servers and integrating security capabilities such as web application firewalls (WAFs) that protect against SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks, along with DDoS mitigation mechanisms. By centralizing traffic management, enforcing security policies, and accelerating content delivery through caching and compression, ADCs are essential for delivering secure, high-performance user experiences in modern digital environments.