Optus teams up with Cisco to boost network security & protection

Optus and Cisco have announced a new multi-year partnership aimed at enhancing network security and data protection for Optus Enterprise and Business customers, especially those working within hybrid environments.

With more than one-third (37%) of Australians regularly engaging in remote work and many adopting hybrid work models, organisations are increasingly relying on SaaS public and on-demand network services. This shift has introduced numerous vulnerabilities, exposing systems and users to significant risks across devices and software.

To address these challenges, the partnership will see substantial investment in the expansion of Optus's Integrated Network Operation Centre and Security Operation Centre. This will facilitate the creation of secure-by-design networks and streamline complexities through effective, innovative managed services. The enhanced systems promise improved observability of networks and connections and greater visibility into security incidents, accelerating the identification and rectification of underlying issues.

The strengthened network security platform is already available, offering Cisco-Powered Secure Firewall and Managed Secure Service Edge (SSE) services. Additional capabilities, including Vulnerability Management, Advanced Email Security, Identity Intelligence, and Threat Hunting, will be rolled out subsequently. The platform will also feature native integration with Cisco Meraki and ThousandEyes, aiming to bolster secure networking for customers.

These solutions will provide round-the-clock security monitoring for Optus Enterprise and Business customers, ensuring the protection of connections, systems, and data. The services will be supported by Cyber Incident Response from Cisco’s renowned Talos Intelligence Group. Over the course of the partnership, further services will be introduced to continually enhance security offerings.

Commenting on the partnership, Danny Price, Vice President of Client Services & Delivery at Optus, stated, "Our enterprise and business customers rely on Optus to deliver a network that can support high traffic, secure, and reliable bandwidth. We are committed to creating solutions that address complex security issues while optimising performance and reliability, particularly in environments that are increasingly hard to defend."

Rodney Hamill, Managing Director Partner, Routes to Market and SMB Sales, Cisco Australia and New Zealand, added, "I'm proud of the work our teams have achieved in simplifying the complex task of securing hybrid work."

The collaboration between Optus and Cisco aims to provide innovative solutions addressing complex business challenges. By activating the power of the network to deliver security outcomes, the partnership seeks to meet the cybersecurity challenges that are a top priority for Australian businesses. The collective focus of this alliance is to offer scalable, reliable, and repeatable secure network services.