SoftBank, Telefónica, Singtel, Etisalat launch global cybersecurity partnership

Japan’s SoftBank has partnered with three leading global telecommunications companies - Spain’s Telefónica, Singapore-based Singtel and Etisalat – to launch a new global telco cybersecurity alliance.

“SoftBank is excited to join the initial alliance partners including Singtel, Telefonica and Etisalat, to offer enhanced security to our customers and advance our cyber defence,” said Andrew Schwabecher, Head of the Cloud & Cybersecurity Division at SoftBank.

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Combining and leveraging the comprehensive portfolios of the companies involved, the alliance will become one of the world’s most substantial cybersecurity providers, serving over 1.2bn customers in over 60 countries.

Between them, the companies are responsible for a total of 22 security operation centres (SOCs), employing over 6,000 cybersecurity experts.

“The Security Alliance will help all its members to deliver disruptive innovation to secure our customers’ digital lives,” said Pedro Pablo Pérez, VP Security at Telefónica and CEO of Telefonica’s cybersecurity unit ElevenPaths.

“Today’s strategic alliance will give us a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with our telecom counterparts and deliver innovative security services for digital risk management,” said Francisco Salcedo, Senior Vice President at Etisalat Digital

The partnership will see those involved sharing their cybersecurity expertise and intelligence to create a better prepared cybersecurity offering for their global customers, whilst also collaboratively developing new technologies focused around IoT, machine learning and others.

Further, the alliance will explore joint investments in research and development projects, start-ups, and both new and existing products, services and SOCs.