Etisalat, Singtel, SoftBank and Telefónica have signed an agreement to create a ‘Global Telco Security Alliance’ to offer cyber security services.
The firms say that their alliance will be one of the world’s biggest cyber security providers, across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Through the alliance, operational synergies and economies of scale are promised that will eventually help lower costs for their customers. The group’s members operate 22 Security Operation Centres (SOCs) and employ more than 6,000 in cyber security. To expand their footprint, the alliance is open to bringing in new members.
Under the agreement, the group will share network intelligence on cyber threats and use their joint global reach, assets and cyber security capabilities to serve customers. The alliance is able to support each other’s customers anywhere and anytime, allowing them to respond to cyber threats. The companies will also look into the possibility of developing new technologies such as predictive analytics using machine learning and cyber security for the Internet of Things. The alliance will also explore joint investments in security products and services, SOCs, platforms, start-ups and R&D.
Francisco Salcedo, Senior Vice President at Etisalat Digital said: “With digital technologies gaining widespread adoption and driving innovation across industry verticals, the security landscape has evolved. Organizations now face a new breed of threats and need to manage digital risks in their environments. Today’s strategic alliance will give us a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with our telecom counterparts and deliver innovative security services for digital risk management.”
And Pedro Pablo Pérez, VP Security at Telefónica and CEO of Telefonica’s cybersecurity unit ElevenPaths, said: “The Security Alliance will help all its members to deliver disruptive innovation to secure our customers’ digital lives. For Telefónica, it’s a major step ahead in complementing our ability to develop as an intelligent Managed Security Service Provider and to continue to deliver outstanding growth.”
