Lumen has partnered with Versa Networks to bolster its range of network services and security solutions.
Versa specialises in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) software, which creates frameworks for integrating networking services and security solutions. Lumen will leverage Versa's SASE software into its expansive network and cloud platform availability. The ambition is for users to have better control and visibility and simplified network and security management of cloud-based applications on any device.
Darren Wolner, senior director of SASE product management for Lumen, commented:
Lumen has provided Versa SD-WAN and security capabilities for more than eight years, so expanding into the SASE space was a natural fit. The addition of Versa to our SASE portfolio brings customers a greater selection of best-in-class software providers and enables them to choose the solution that's best for their business."
Lumen's move to partner with Versa was prompted by the rise of hybrid and remote working and the security which accompanies using home and public networks. As businesses accelerate their digital transformation processes to adjust, especially in adopting data-intensive applications, cybersecurity and compliance have become more critical than ever. SASE solutions are invaluable in building secure platforms.
Wolner outlined how the partnership enhanced Lumen's portfolio as Versa's SASE software — ranked as the market leader in Unified SASE for the second consecutive year by market research firm Dell'Oro Group — complements Lumen's established global IP visibility, threat intelligence capabilities, and experience in networking, cloud, and managed services.
Hemen Mehta, vice president of sales for managed service providers at Versa Networks, added: "With Lumen's global infrastructure and Versa's AI/ML-powered Unified SASE platform, we have jointly created a comprehensive suite of services that truly simplify how enterprises protect and connect their users, devices and sites to applications anywhere, anytime.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with Lumen to address a broad set of network and application-based attacks, including advanced threat protection, Zero Trust Network Access, Firewall as a Service and SD-WAN."
