Optus Business, a provider of managed services, announced recently that it will be adding cybersecurity prevention, detection and monitoring capabilities to its government and enterprise managed security services portfolio. Optus will accomplish this by running the solution on the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Security Platform.
According to Singtel, Optus’ parent company, the Palo Alto Networks solution would increase its existing cybersecurity mechanisms, integrating with its managed security services business unit, Trustwave. This would then provide managed security services through Singtel’s eight security operations centers (SOCs). Singtel is no stranger to cybersecurity, as it already monitors and protects against cyber threats globally by employing 2,000 security professionals.
“Through our collaboration with Palo Alto Networks, we have developed an innovative cybersecurity service which takes a holistic and preventive approach towards cyber threats. Together with our Trustwave managed security service, the trained cybersecurity experts at our Advanced Security Operations Centre can forestall cyber attacks and use the information of any [neutralized] malware to update our global threat intelligence to benefit other regions,” said Singtel Group Enterprise CEO Bill Chang.
The Managed Advanced Threat Prevention (ATP) services consist of Palo Alto Networks’ Next-Generation Firewall, Threat Intelligence Cloud and Advanced Endpoint Protection products. The solution has been developed between Optus, Singtel and Palo Alto Networks, and will provide security across the cloud, mobile networks and end points.
Optus’ use of Palo Alto Networks is a good strategic move, as their Next-Generation Security Platform is reportedly made up of four components that reduce the risk of cyberattacks. According to Palo Alto Networks, these four components are:
- Threat intelligence sharing
- Automated creation and delivery of protection against new threats
- Extensibility and flexibility that enables customers to expand or adopt new technologies
- Natively integrated technologies that leverage single-pass prevention architecture.
Optus appears to be optimistic about the future of this pairing, and what it means for Australia’s security. John Paitaridis, managing director of Optus Business, commented on this idea by saying, “Our collaboration with Palo Alto Networks is another example of Optus Business' ongoing investment in growing Australia's ability to combat the increasing frequency and sophistication of cybersecurity threats.”
He went on to say, “Our enhanced managed security services are complemented by Palo Alto Networks' innovative technologies, and support Australian businesses and government agencies with services they need to operate confidently in the digital and global market.”
And it looks like this solution may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cybersecurity. Mark McLaughlin, chairman and chief executive officer of Palo Alto Networks, has said that Optus and Singtel are among APAC's “most respected and innovative ICT and managed security service providers.” He went on to say that they will continue working together on developing more technology security services. So, while this solution may be promising, there is more to come from these companies.
For more on the latest in managed services, be sure to check out MSP Expo happening Feb. 8-10 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and collocated with ITEXPO.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi
