Partner content: Network-native security services made it easier for consumers and SMEs to adopt them – and now mobile and fixed no longer have to be separate
Once, the security services that Communication Service Providers (CSPs) offered their consumer and small business customers consisted only of endpoint solutions, the apps that the customer needed to install and configure (and maintain and update) by themselves. This seemed like a good idea. However, consumers and small businesses, for the most part, do not have the tech savvy to implement their own solutions. This led to very low pickup rates for these apps/services. Then came network-native security services which run from the CSP’s network, thus removing the burden of operation from the customer.
But there was still a missing element. Customers who subscribed to the same CSP for both mobile and fixed connectivity still had one interface for their mobile security services and another for their fixed. Then came along converged security services.
What is converged security?
When we talk about converged security, we refer to the integration of cybersecurity services for both mobile and fixed broadband customers which are unified into a single orchestrated user experience. This can be true for consumer and small business customers alike. CSPs, often telecom operators doubling as ISPs, have long pursued convergence solutions, seeking to consolidate and streamline their offerings under one umbrella. The advent of converged customer security services presents CSPs with a myriad of business benefits compared to standalone alternatives, including cost reduction, enhanced customer experiences, and brand differentiation.
In a 2023 global CSP survey by Coleman Parkes Research, commissioned by Allot, although 94% of CSPs expressed interest in convergence, including security convergence, 3 in 4 said that they were held back because of their legacy systems. While this is a real concern, the validity of this barrier could be coming to an end. Among the new batch of customer-oriented security solutions, there are those which now orchestrate multiple systems across networks, even from other vendors. This opens the door for CSPs to a new opportunity that was not available before.
Converged security is network native
Converged security solutions go hand-in-hand with a network-native approach to customer security, leveraging services embedded within the CSP’s network infrastructure. While standalone mobile or fixed security services are viable options, their true value emerges when unified into a cohesive solution, catering seamlessly to both customer segments. However, CSPs face formidable challenges in implementing such solutions, grappling with traditional IT barriers and lengthy time-to-market delays for new offerings. Convergence fundamentally addresses these obstacles, paving the way for improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Together with a network-native security solution, a converged fixed and mobile security service delivers a unified security experience on all of the end-user’s devices. The user can be protected from cyber threats and have parental controls on all of those devices without installing a single piece of software, and without regular updates and maintenance. Adding the service is as easy as accepting an offer from the provider and all the customers’ devices are protected, whether connected to the mobile network or to the home router. The customer also gets better value for converged services which they might not have purchased if they were not converged, leading to increased revenue for the CSP even while the customer feels that they are getting a better deal.
One solution for all devices
Historically, CSPs have provided security solutions to consumer and small business segments, recognizing their appetite for CSP-delivered security services. Yet, the management of disparate security solutions poses significant hurdles, requiring separate monitoring, maintenance, and support infrastructures for each service type. This fragmentation not only increases resource expenditure but also stifles revenue potential, with standalone endpoint solutions often plagued by low adoption rates due to their complexity. Converged security solutions, which are inherently network-native, alleviate these pain points, promising a hassle-free security experience and enhanced protection for end-user devices and data.
The convergence of fixed and wireless infrastructure, propelled by advancements like software-defined networks, fosters a more harmonized telecom ecosystem. This convergence not only streamlines service delivery but also augments the efficacy of security measures by pooling threat databases across networks. Global surveys underscore CSPs’ keen interest in converged security solutions, driven by a quest for comprehensive threat detection, compatibility, scalability, and superior customer experiences. The integration of identity management, threat detection, and centralized monitoring forms the bedrock of converged security, promising consistent and robust protection across diverse services and platforms.
Benefits of converged security
In addition to bolstering operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, converged security solutions yield tangible financial benefits, including heightened ARPA and improved customer retention rates. By consolidating management processes, provisioning, and support services, convergence enables CSPs to streamline operations, reduce costs, and accelerate net-adds. Furthermore, convergence enhances CSPs’ competitive edge, positioning them as comprehensive service providers capable of meeting diverse customer needs across wireless, fixed, media, and IoT domains.
Converged security solutions enable transparent, unified provisioning, giving the end user the perception of a single provider and a single experience. Once provisioned, converged fixed and mobile security delivers a unified reporting experience which is activated on a regular basis to keep the end user updated regarding their security situation. This unified experience also offers the CSP opportunities to communicate with subscribers with branded messages. As a converged network-native solution, all the complexity of management and updating is hidden from the end user. On the CSP side, the implementation and configuration of the solution is also simplified by the fixed and mobile management umbrella tool.
Transcending better operations
Crucially, convergence transcends mere operational enhancements; it fosters a superior customer experience by offering streamlined account management, enhanced service offerings, and robust self-service capabilities. Moreover, by integrating security seamlessly within the network, CSPs can shield end-users from threats proactively, mitigating risks before they reach individual devices. This proactive approach not only enhances security but also instills confidence in customers, fostering long-term loyalty and brand advocacy.
Converged security solutions express the vision of the future of telecommunications, empowering CSPs to deliver unparalleled value and protection to their customers. By embracing network-native approaches and consolidating security services, CSPs can unlock a host of benefits, from cost savings and revenue growth to enhanced customer experiences and brand differentiation. As the telecom landscape continues to evolve, convergence, and specifically security convergence, emerges as a core strategy for CSPs seeking to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Vikram Singh is Senior Director Cyber Marketing at Allot
About Allot
Allot Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALLT, TASE: ALLT) is a provider of leading innovative network intelligence and converged security solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide, enhancing value to their customers. Our solutions are deployed globally for network and application analytics, traffic control and shaping, network-native security services, and more. Allot’s multi-service platforms are deployed by over 500 mobile, fixed and cloud service providers and over 1000 enterprises. Our industry-leading network-native security-as-a-service solution is already used by many millions of subscribers globally.
Allot. See. Control. Secure. www.allot.com