Outsourcing your cyber security

Cybersecurity today is an essential part of the technology framework and a top priority for continued business success. With the changing threat landscape and the need for continuous investments, SMB-focused security solutions enable customers to enjoy enterprise level protection with subscription-based security solutions.

With the move towards a digital economy, an increasing amount of consumer and citizen data will be stored digitally due to the large number of transactions carried out online by companies, individuals as well as government departments. The importance and impact of cyber security has increased with more and more businesses adopting digital services and platforms.

Cybersecurity today is an essential part of the technology framework and a top priority for continued business success. While most SMBs are aware of the cybersecurity risks, the biggest challenge they face is the rising number of targeted attacks with increased complexity. According to industry reports, 46 percent of SMBs have experienced cyber-security incidents in the past 12 months and about 50 percent of them are likely to consider purchasing cyber-security services from their telecom operators.

Telcos play an important role as a trusted service partner that provides them access to the best-of-breed security technologies “as a service”. With the changing threat landscape and the need for continuous investments, SMB security solutions enable customers to enjoy enterprise level protection with subscription-based security solutions.

Every customer who interacts on the internet is in a way or another already using the cloud (i.e. infrastructure outside its office). While sending an email or bsing the web, they are accessing data on the cloud. Cloud-based security solutions or using intelligence from the cloud, which has become integral to protecting daily activities.

Digital security, therefore, spans across securing customers’ assets, infrastructure, identity in a connected world. While most SMBs are aware of the cyber-security risks, the biggest challenge they face is the rising number of targeted attacks with increased complexity. In this scenario, Telcos like Etisalat play a role of a trusted service partner that provide access to the best-of-breed security technologies ‘as a service’.

Security should be an integral part of this secure service framework with embedded fundamental security capabilities within each offering to comply with the highest security standards.

Digital security in a connected world

Digital security spans across securing customers’ assets, infrastructure, identity in a connected world. With its SMB focused digital security propositions, Telcos should help its customers secure their networks and connectivity, data and applications, and user devices and platform with various type of solutions including:

Cloud firewall: Telcos should offer in-built cloud firewall that ensures your network is protected and users only have access to sites approved by the company’s management.

Endpoint security: All broadband services have one or several Windows/Mac endpoint security antiviruses bundled without extra fees.

Mobile security: All business users can download the Telco’s application that has an embedded mobile antivirus by default.

Email security: Stand-alone email security for mail server owners or Office 365 subscribers to ensure there is no malware and users have less spam.

Web security: A stand-alone cloud-based service which makes sure that users are safe and that they are following the company policies wherever they are.

Cybersecurity today is an essential part of the technology framework and a top priority for continued business success. With the changing threat landscape and the need for continuous investments, Telcos like Etisalat offer SMB security solutions to enable customers to enjoy enterprise level protection with subscription-based security solutions.

Many technology network providers require upfront investment, so this monthly subscription is not only a ging industry trend but also a relief for SMBs. In a typical scenario they would have to purchase a firewall which will include paying for the expensive hardware and deployment costs (capex), besides annual license subscriptions and maintenance.

With a vast majority of SMBs looking at bringing business value by focusing on efficiency and affordability, Telcos need to work closely with these customers by delivering customised services targeting their business requirements fully managed from a state-of-the-art operation centre overseen by certified professionals with flexible financial models making it easier to configure business solutions that reflect on the smooth functioning of their business.