Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Optus has partnered with Cisco to enhance network security for enterprise and business customers in Australia in response to growing cyber threats and the rise of remote work setups. The collaboration will include upgrades to Optus’ Secure Network Operation Centre and new security products from Cisco to improve network protection.
Summary:
Australian telecommunications company Optus has entered a multi-year partnership with Cisco to strengthen network security for its enterprise and business customers in Australia. This collaboration comes in light of increasing cyber threat complexities, critical skill shortages, and the surge of remote work setups. As more Australians rely on Software-as-a-Service and on-demand network services, the risk of security breaches has heightened, affecting both devices and software.
To address these challenges, Optus will introduce a range of network security services powered by Cisco. This includes significant enhancements to Optus’ Secure Network Operation Centre and a suite of new security products from Cisco aimed at delivering enhanced security solutions. The investment will also improve Optus’ Integrated Network Operation Centre and Security Operation Centre, featuring Cisco-Powered Secure Firewall and Managed Secure Service Edge (SSE) services.
Additionally, new tools such as advanced email security, vulnerability management, and integration with Cisco Meraki and ThousandEyes will further enhance network protection. Optus aims to address complex security issues while optimizing performance and reliability in an increasingly difficult to defend environment.
The partnership with Cisco comes after Optus faced a significant data breach in 2022 that affected millions of customers, prompting legal action from Australia’s Communications and Media Authority. By joining forces with Cisco, Optus strives to provide robust security measures to protect its customers’ networks, offering not just protection but peace of mind in an increasingly digital world.
