The two operators will build a security operations centre (SOC) in the UAE, designed to provide advanced services to organisations of all sizes.
Abdullah Hashim, SVP of digital services at Etisalat, said that the SOC will offer 24/7 security, monitoring and access to advanced threat intelligence correlations.
“Etisalat is devoted to meeting the ever-growing security needs of organisations in the UAE and helping them transform to a SMART environment,” Hashim said.
“This partnership with Telefónica will help deliver more reliable and intelligent managed security services and cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to our customers.”
Etisalat will use advanced technology platforms from Telefónica – including Persistent Vulnerability Management, Industrial Security and Antifraud – to tackle security threats in the region and boost its managed security services portfolio.
“The collaboration with Etisalat, interconnecting our respective SOCs between Dubai and Madrid, will improve the effectiveness of security services and the successful identification of new threats and vulnerabilities which affect our customers,” said Oliver Martinez, director of security for businesses in the Telefónica Group.
“The agreement highlights the critical role that telecoms companies play when it comes to comprehensively managing the security and integrity of customers' data and operations,” Martinez added.
The deal builds on an existing collaboration between the two operators and a strategic partnership signed in 2011.
