Automated traffic on the internet has evolved well beyond simple crawlers and brute-force attacks. Modern bots use headless browsers, residential proxy networks, and AI-driven scraping that deliberately mimic real users, making traditional IP blocking and rate limiting increasingly ineffective.
This session explores how Drupal teams can respond to this new reality using pragmatic, layered defences. In addition to Drupal modules such as Perimeter, CrowdSec, AbuseIPDB, and Facet Bot Blocker, the talk demonstrates how to place Anubis in front of a Drupal site to selectively protect high-cost or high-risk endpoints such as forms, search, pagination, and authenticated flows.
Rather than attempting to block all bots, this talk focuses on reducing abuse where it hurts most, understanding trade-offs, and integrating modern bot controls without breaking accessibility, SEO, or legitimate users.
π Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
π Time: 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM
π Room: Breakout 1
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Automated traffic on the internet has evolved well beyond simple crawlers and brute-force attacks. Modern bots use headless browsers, residential proxy networks, and AI-driven scraping that deliberately mimic real users, making traditional IP blocking and rate limiting increasingly ineffective.\n\nThis session explores how Drupal teams can respond to this new reality using pragmatic, layered defences. In addition to Drupal modules such as Perimeter, CrowdSec, AbuseIPDB, and Facet Bot Blocker, the talk demonstrates how to place Anubis in front of a Drupal site to selectively protect high-cost or high-risk endpoints such as forms, search, pagination, and authenticated flows.\n\nRather than attempting to block all bots, this talk focuses on reducing abuse where it hurts most, understanding trade-offs, and integrating modern bot controls without breaking accessibility, SEO, or legitimate users.","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Time: 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Room: Breakout 1","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Automated traffic on the internet has evolved well beyond simple crawlers and brute-force attacks. Modern bots use headless browsers, residential proxy networks, and AI-driven scraping that deliberately mimic real users, making traditional IP blocking and rate limiting increasingly ineffective.\n\nThis session explores how Drupal teams can respond to this new reality using pragmatic, layered defences. In addition to Drupal modules such as Perimeter, CrowdSec, AbuseIPDB, and Facet Bot Blocker, the talk demonstrates how to place Anubis in front of a Drupal site to selectively protect high-cost or high-risk endpoints such as forms, search, pagination, and authenticated flows.\n\nRather than attempting to block all bots, this talk focuses on reducing abuse where it hurts most, understanding trade-offs, and integrating modern bot controls without breaking accessibility, SEO, or legitimate users. π Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 π Time: 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM π Room: Breakout 1"},"session_pre_title":{"html":"Sean Hamlin, Principal Architect
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Sean Hamlin, Principal Architect","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Sean Hamlin, Principal Architect"},"session_title":{"html":"Bots, Scrapers, and Proxies: Defending Drupal Sites in an Automated Internet
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Bots, Scrapers, and Proxies: Defending Drupal Sites in an Automated Internet","spans":[{"start":0,"end":76,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Bots, Scrapers, and Proxies: Defending Drupal Sites in an Automated Internet"},"session_teaser_image":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/amazeeio/afCsj8BOoF08xXys_SeanHamlin.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress","alt":"Sean Hamlin, amazee.io, Principal Architect"}},{"session_id":"tobysessionwellington","session_description":{"html":"Most organizations approach AI integration by starting with use cases and then scrambling to find infrastructure that meets their security and compliance needs. We took the opposite approach: we built a comprehensive AI platform first, then developed a suite of Drupal-based tools and modules to demonstrate its capabilities.
This talk will explore how amazee.ai created (and open-sourced) an AI infrastructure, designed around LiteLLM, to support multiple AI providers while maintaining complete data sovereignty. We'll discuss the key architectural decisions that went into building a platform that handles authentication, vector databases, and multi-region deployment - all while ensuring no data is stored or used for model training.
Then, we'll showcase how we leveraged this platform to develop practical Drupal integrations, including:
Attendees will learn why choosing and building infrastructure first - rather than bolting it on later - supports more flexible, secure, and scalable AI solutions. We'll share lessons learned from our platform-first approach, including technical decisions around user management & reporting, regional compliance, and provider-agnostic architecture.
π Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
π Time: 1:20 PM - 1:50 PM
π Room: Breakout 2
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Most organizations approach AI integration by starting with use cases and then scrambling to find infrastructure that meets their security and compliance needs. We took the opposite approach: we built a comprehensive AI platform first, then developed a suite of Drupal-based tools and modules to demonstrate its capabilities.\n\nThis talk will explore how amazee.ai created (and open-sourced) an AI infrastructure, designed around LiteLLM, to support multiple AI providers while maintaining complete data sovereignty. We'll discuss the key architectural decisions that went into building a platform that handles authentication, vector databases, and multi-region deployment - all while ensuring no data is stored or used for model training.\n\nThen, we'll showcase how we leveraged this platform to develop practical Drupal integrations, including:","spans":[{"start":354,"end":363,"type":"hyperlink","data":{"link_type":"Web","url":"https://amazee.ai","target":"_blank"}}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"list-item","text":"A custom Drupal AI Provider module that enables one-click setup without managing API keys","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"list-item","text":"Default integration with Drupal CMS 2.0 and the Drupal AI module ecosystem for content generation, accessibility improvements, and multilingual support","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"list-item","text":"Real-world implementations solving challenges like batch alt-text generation for 10k+ product catalogs, interactive chatbots powered by vector databases, and more!","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"list-item","text":"And weβll even cover how (and why!) we used Drupal as the base for our private AI Assistant","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"\nAttendees will learn why choosing and building infrastructure first - rather than bolting it on later - supports more flexible, secure, and scalable AI solutions. We'll share lessons learned from our platform-first approach, including technical decisions around user management & reporting, regional compliance, and provider-agnostic architecture.","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Time: 1:20 PM - 1:50 PM","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"π Room: Breakout 2","spans":[{"start":0,"end":8,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Most organizations approach AI integration by starting with use cases and then scrambling to find infrastructure that meets their security and compliance needs. We took the opposite approach: we built a comprehensive AI platform first, then developed a suite of Drupal-based tools and modules to demonstrate its capabilities.\n\nThis talk will explore how amazee.ai created (and open-sourced) an AI infrastructure, designed around LiteLLM, to support multiple AI providers while maintaining complete data sovereignty. We'll discuss the key architectural decisions that went into building a platform that handles authentication, vector databases, and multi-region deployment - all while ensuring no data is stored or used for model training.\n\nThen, we'll showcase how we leveraged this platform to develop practical Drupal integrations, including: A custom Drupal AI Provider module that enables one-click setup without managing API keys Default integration with Drupal CMS 2.0 and the Drupal AI module ecosystem for content generation, accessibility improvements, and multilingual support Real-world implementations solving challenges like batch alt-text generation for 10k+ product catalogs, interactive chatbots powered by vector databases, and more! And weβll even cover how (and why!) we used Drupal as the base for our private AI Assistant \nAttendees will learn why choosing and building infrastructure first - rather than bolting it on later - supports more flexible, secure, and scalable AI solutions. We'll share lessons learned from our platform-first approach, including technical decisions around user management & reporting, regional compliance, and provider-agnostic architecture. π Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 π Time: 1:20 PM - 1:50 PM π Room: Breakout 2"},"session_pre_title":{"html":"Toby Bellwood, amazee.io, Head of Engineering
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Toby Bellwood, amazee.io, Head of Engineering","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Toby Bellwood, amazee.io, Head of Engineering"},"session_title":{"html":"Platform-First AI: How We Built a Secure AI Infrastructure and Showcased It Through Drupal
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Platform-First AI: How We Built a Secure AI Infrastructure and Showcased It Through Drupal","spans":[{"start":0,"end":90,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Platform-First AI: How We Built a Secure AI Infrastructure and Showcased It Through Drupal"},"session_teaser_image":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/amazeeio/afCtfsBOoF08xXzH_TobyBellwood.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress","alt":"Toby Bellwood, amazee.io, Head of Engineering"}}],"session_breaks":[],"subtitle":{"html":"Harbourside Function Venue | Wellington, New Zealand
","raw":[{"type":"heading2","text":"Tuesday, May 12 - Thursday, May 14, 2026","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Harbourside Function Venue | Wellington, New Zealand","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Tuesday, May 12 - Thursday, May 14, 2026 Harbourside Function Venue | Wellington, New Zealand"},"about_text":{"html":"Experience the future of Drupal with us
Heading to DrupalSouth in Wellington? Make sure to stop by the amazee.io and amazee.ai booth to talk shop about the next generation of open source hosting and private AI.
","raw":[{"type":"heading3","text":"What we have planned for DrupalSouth Wellington 2026!","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Experience the future of Drupal with us","spans":[{"start":0,"end":39,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Heading to DrupalSouth in Wellington? Make sure to stop by the amazee.io and amazee.ai booth to talk shop about the next generation of open source hosting and private AI. ","spans":[{"start":63,"end":72,"type":"strong"},{"start":77,"end":86,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"What we have planned for DrupalSouth Wellington 2026! Experience the future of Drupal with us Heading to DrupalSouth in Wellington? Make sure to stop by the amazee.io and amazee.ai booth to talk shop about the next generation of open source hosting and private AI. "},"schedule_text":{"html":"Our team will be on hand to discuss how you can scale your infrastructure using amazee.io's managed open source hosting platform, and how amazee.ai's amazeeClaw allows you to leverage autonomous agents while maintaining strict data sovereignty. Itβs the perfect opportunity to dive deep into solving enterprise security risks, reducing operational overhead, and keeping your data private while you innovate.
Swing by to grab some swag and chat with us about how we can help your team stay in control of your digital future!
Plus, don't miss our sessions by Sean Hamlin (Principal Architect) and Toby Bellwood (Head of Engineering).
","raw":[{"type":"paragraph","text":"Our team will be on hand to discuss how you can scale your infrastructure using amazee.io's managed open source hosting platform, and how amazee.ai's amazeeClaw allows you to leverage autonomous agents while maintaining strict data sovereignty. Itβs the perfect opportunity to dive deep into solving enterprise security risks, reducing operational overhead, and keeping your data private while you innovate. ","spans":[{"start":92,"end":128,"type":"strong"},{"start":150,"end":160,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Swing by to grab some swag and chat with us about how we can help your team stay in control of your digital future!","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"heading2","text":"π§ DrupalSouth Sessions","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Plus, don't miss our sessions by Sean Hamlin (Principal Architect) and Toby Bellwood (Head of Engineering).","spans":[{"start":32,"end":44,"type":"strong"},{"start":33,"end":44,"type":"hyperlink","data":{"link_type":"Web","url":"#seansessionwellington","target":"_self"}},{"start":71,"end":84,"type":"hyperlink","data":{"link_type":"Web","url":"#seansessionwellington","target":"_self"}},{"start":71,"end":85,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Our team will be on hand to discuss how you can scale your infrastructure using amazee.io's managed open source hosting platform, and how amazee.ai's amazeeClaw allows you to leverage autonomous agents while maintaining strict data sovereignty. Itβs the perfect opportunity to dive deep into solving enterprise security risks, reducing operational overhead, and keeping your data private while you innovate. Swing by to grab some swag and chat with us about how we can help your team stay in control of your digital future! π§ DrupalSouth Sessions Plus, don't miss our sessions by Sean Hamlin (Principal Architect) and Toby Bellwood (Head of Engineering). "},"venue_text":{"html":"Meet our team on the ground, discover our services, and grab exclusive swag! Plus, don't miss the chance to learn more about how to give your Drupal agency a privacy-first AI narrative that wins enterprise, government, and regulated deals.
Don't miss the chance to enter our daily draw to WIN one of two LEGO sets, plus one of our exclusive amazee.io YETI Ramblers! We'll also have some cool new stickers and pins for you to collect.
We look forward to seeing you in Wellington! π³πΏ
","raw":[{"type":"heading2","text":"Visit our booth, meet our team, and enter to WIN exclusive prizes!","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Meet our team on the ground, discover our services, and grab exclusive swag! Plus, don't miss the chance to learn more about how to give your Drupal agency a privacy-first AI narrative that wins enterprise, government, and regulated deals.\n","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Don't miss the chance to enter our daily draw to WIN one of two LEGO sets, plus one of our exclusive amazee.io YETI Ramblers! We'll also have some cool new stickers and pins for you to collect.","spans":[{"start":49,"end":73,"type":"strong"}],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"We look forward to seeing you in Wellington! π³πΏ","spans":[],"direction":"ltr"}],"text":"Visit our booth, meet our team, and enter to WIN exclusive prizes! Meet our team on the ground, discover our services, and grab exclusive swag! Plus, don't miss the chance to learn more about how to give your Drupal agency a privacy-first AI narrative that wins enterprise, government, and regulated deals.\n Don't miss the chance to enter our daily draw to WIN one of two LEGO sets, plus one of our exclusive amazee.io YETI Ramblers! We'll also have some cool new stickers and pins for you to collect. We look forward to seeing you in Wellington! π³πΏ"},"faq_text":{"html":"","raw":[],"text":""},"cta_link":{"document":null},"page_meta_thumbnail":{"url":"https://images.prismic.io/amazeeio/afIA9cBOoF08xatm_Drupal-South-2026-M.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress","alt":"Meet the amazee.io team at DrupalSouth Wellington 2026"}}}}, "staticQueryHashes": ["1659250047","2244888832","3350517190"]}