AT&T is expanding its
portfolio of Managed Security Services through its alliance with Fortinet to make Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) a reality for
enterprises. AT&T SASE with Fortinet is the first, global managed SASE
solution at scale that unifies software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) with
essential network security functions of the SASE framework and 24x7 management.
This powerful combination of people, processes, and technology will help
enterprises to enhance security, increase network performance, and reduce
complexity and costs.
Why is this important?
Digital
transformation is driving the convergence of networking and security as
technology teams realize the challenges of managing and protecting increasingly
complex networks as well as the connections that support them. In addition,
networking and security needs are changing for customers with today's hyper
distributed workforce as more employees are accessing the network from unique
locations and a variety of devices. Organizations are looking to a solution
based on SASE principles to solve these challenges through point product
consolidation, identity-based access, and worldwide points of presence to
support the new and highly distributed workforce. With this consolidated
approach, enterprises can also help reduce operational costs by moving to
a single cloud-delivered solution.
What makes this new cybersecurity solution different?
As
the largest SD-WAN Managed Service Provider in North America, and one of the
world's largest Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs), AT&T has a
unique understanding of what businesses need as they modernize and transform
their networks, including the importance of security being a critical component
of any business initiative. The inclusion of around-the-clock management helps
relieve the burden of deployment and day-to-day support, with Security Operations
Center (SOC) analysts acting as an extension to a business' network and
security teams.
AT&T
SASE with Fortinet integrates with AT&T Alien Labs Threat Intelligence
platform, enabling and unlocking multiple response actions, which provide SOC
analysts visibility into network security, allowing them to respond to alarms
effectively and efficiently.
When will this new cybersecurity solution be available?
AT&T
SASE with Fortinet is immediately available. Updates to the offering will
continue to be made in 2021.
"AT&T
is a global leader in managed SD-WAN solutions and has tenured experience
delivering managed security solutions to customers around the globe," said Ghassan Abdo, Research Vice President for Worldwide Telecom,
Virtualization, and CDN at IDC. "Bringing
these two capabilities together creates a strong value proposition for
customers looking to take advantage of the convergence of network and security
controls."
"With
the convergence of networking and security, organizations are struggling with
managing and protecting applications and data accessing the network," said Rupesh Chokshi, VP, AT&T Cybersecurity. "AT&T's
heritage in providing integrated business solutions with managed services, and
our best-in-class fiber and 5G connectivity solutions, uniquely position us to
deliver on the promise of SASE. The solution will provide visibility and
management for a more resilient network, making it safer for businesses to
adapt and innovate."
"Bringing
Fortinet's SD-WAN and SASE products and capabilities together with AT&T
Cybersecurity's trusted advisors managing SOC operations will provide the
multi-layered, scalable network security solution organizations need to embrace
SASE," explained John Maddison, CMO and EVP of Products, Fortinet. "With AT&T SASE with Fortinet, we're enabling the dynamic needs of
today's distributed workforce to deliver security-driven networking at every edge."
Learn
more about how AT&T and Fortinet are working together on SASE.