AT&T Eyes Managed SASE, Harnesses Fortinet Partnership

AT&T just rolled out a secure access service edge (SASE) offering.

AT&T teamed up with Fortinet to launch its new managed SASE solution. It brings together SD-WAN and key network security features that SASE entails.

The features include secure web gateway, firewall as a service, cloud access security broker (CASB) and zero-trust access.

AT&T’s Rupesh Chokshi

Rupesh Chokshi, vice president of AT&T Cybersecurity, said enterprises can enjoy a more resilient network as a result.

“With the convergence of networking and security, organizations are struggling with managing and protecting applications and data accessing the network,” Chokshi said. “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.”

In addition, the service comes with 24/7 management, with AT&T security operations center (SOC) analysts on hand. The solution also uses the AT&T Alien Labs Threat Intelligence platform to generate visibility and responses.

The solution will be available to solution providers in the AT&T Alliance Channel. Will Harvey, vice president of AT&T Alliance Channel and ACC Business, praised the partner opportunity.

AT&T’s Will Harvey

“Cybersecurity is a central part of our world class portfolio, and solution providers can help businesses create a more resilient, safer network through this solution,” Harvey said.

Benefits

The carrier called the solution the first “global managed SASE solution at scale.”

AT&T launched the solution to cater to an increasingly scattered network perimeter. The company said it is reducing operational costs by consolidating point products. It is also looking to leverage on identity-based access, as well as its global points of presence (PoPs).

John Maddison, Fortinet’s chief marketing officer and executive vice president of products, said the solution combines Fortinet SD-WAN and SASE products and AT&T security professionals.

Fortinet’s John Maddison

“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,” Maddison said.

AT&T has already made the offering available and will issue updates throughout 2021.

Ghassan Abdo works as research vice president for worldwide telecom, virtualization and CDN at IDC. Abdo credited AT&T for its experience in delivering both managed SD-WAN solutions and managed security solutions.

IDC’s Ghassan Abdo

“Bringing these two capabilities together creates a strong value proposition for customers looking to take advantage of the convergence of network and security controls,” Abdo said.

Fortinet and AT&T have partnered in the past.