Optus and Cisco partner to secure hybrid workers

Optus and Cisco have announced a new multi-year partnership offering network security and data security services for Optus enterprise and business customers.

The partnership will see an increased investment into the expansion of Optus’ integrated network operation centre and security operation centre.

Optus secure managed network services will provide a portfolio of network security services powered by Cisco. The Optus secure network operation centre will also be upgraded. A suite of new Cisco products will also be added to secure networks for office-based customers and those with a hybrid workforce.

Cisco-powered secure firewall and managed secure service edge services, with additional capabilities covering vulnerability management, advanced email security, identity intelligence and threat hunting, will also be included.

Optus will also include 24/7 security monitoring for its enterprise and business customers to secure connections, systems and data.

Cyber incident response services back these services from Cisco’s Talos Intelligence Group, with additional services added throughout the multi-year partnership.

Danny Price, VP of client services and delivery, enterprise and business at Optus, said more than one-third (37 per cent) of Australians regularly work remotely.

This is driving many to adopt a hybrid working model and organisations have been increasingly adopting SaaS public and on-demand network services.

He said this shift and increasing vulnerabilities expose systems and users to potentially significant risks across devices and software.