The SD-WAN offer will be launched first in Spain and then in other European and Latin American markets.
Telefónica Tech, Telefónica’s digital business unit, and Cisco announced at this year’s RSA conference a strategic alliance and a new global managed service that includes integrated connectivity and security offers for both large companies and SMBs. The service is made up of software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), security and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture and will help connect these businesses across data centers, branch offices and remote employee locations.
SD-WAN is a virtual WAN architecture that can work with a variety of network transport services, including broadband. SD-WAN focuses on network control, management, provisioning and security, providing enhanced agility and flexibility. At Cisco, Telefonica has secured an SD-WAN market leader, according to one 2021 report from Dell’Oro GroupWhich ranks the company as the highest earner in this segment, followed by Fortinet and VMware.
Shailja Shankar, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Security Business Group, commented, “The shift to hybrid work has accelerated the business’s need to connect and secure employees and their devices anywhere.” “Telefónica Tech’s new managed service will provide customers with an innovative, managed service, integrating Cisco’s SD-WAN and cloud security solutions in a way that facilitates connectivity and security for office workers and telecommuters. Cisco promotes such innovative services in Spain, committed to digitization through a CDA program called ‘Digitaliza’.
In addition to Cisco’s SD-WAN solution, the service will feature the company’s Meraki cloud-powered platform and wireless solutions. In terms of security, a cloud security module with Cisco Umbrella will be included, as well as advanced firewall, anti-malware, intrusion protection and zero-trust access control.
“Thus, portfolio services based on Cisco SD-WAN capabilities will complement cloud security functionality that will make it easier and safer for employees to access the Internet or business applications regardless of location,” the companies said.
The new service offer will be launched first in Spain and then in other European and Latin American markets.
