Enterprises in India looking to optimize network management costs targeted by hosted security

Tata Communications introduced virtualized Unified Threat Management (vUTM) for the first time in India. This firm is the first service provider in India to offer its customers virtual UTM which integrates critical security functions including firewall, intrusion detection and prevention, anti-virus, anti-spam, and Web content filtering as part of its Managed Security Services portfolio. Tata Communications has partnered with Fortinet, a pioneer and leading provider of UTM solutions, as the technology supplier for its vUTM service.

This company’s vUTM customers can now look forward to increased network security without having to invest in expensive on-premise security hardware. vUTM delivers the features of a fully integrated multi-threat security UTM device in the network “cloud”, enabling tremendous savings in recurring operational costs related to equipment maintenance as well as reducing administration complexities.

“Businesses that depend on the Internet for operations are struggling to balance the need to adequately address security issues with budget realities,” said Adam Rice, Vice President of Global Managed Security Services for Tata Communications. “Tata Communications’ vUTM service changes the whole cost equation by eliminating the cost of customer premise equipment and providing monitoring and management services to enhance the security value beyond what many enterprises are accustomed to. For organizations with remote locations requiring secure Internet connectivity, our vUTM service delivers high value and very low cost of ownership.”

vUTM is targeted at customers who require a secure Internet gateway with a preference for a hosted security appliance instead of a self-procured and locally installed firewall in their premises. The physical hardware based on Fortinet security technology is logically partitioned into multiple virtual domains with each domain serving as a distinct firewall with unique policies for that respective customer.

Commenting on the launch of vUTM services in India, Neenu Kumar, Research Analyst, ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan said, “Tata Communications’ vUTM offering is well timed to meet the explosive growth in demand in India’s network security market, which grew nearly 50% last year to approximately USD $160 million. UTM solutions are a cost-effective, integrated approach for security companies’ networks as security threats continue to increase in scope and sophistication, and knowledgeable IT staff continues to be scarce and increasingly expensive.

The difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled IT security staff make outsourcing to an MSSP a logical and cost-effective option for small, medium, and large enterprises that recognize the challenges of blocking the security threats that threaten network-based business operations.”

Tata Communications’ vUTM service is fueled by four Fortinet’s FortiGate-5140 carrier-class security systems, which provide a complete suite of security functions at multi-gigabit performance. Each FortiGate-5140 chassis-based system provides virtual domains (VDOMs), allowing Tata Communications to manage hundreds of customers from one hardware platform and isolate the security services offered to each customer.

“With its new virtual UTM service offering, Tata Communications addresses an increasing demand from enterprises to benefit from true value added services from their telco providers,” said Patrice Perche, vice president of EMEA at Fortinet. “Our FortiGate-5000 systems provide unique virtualization capabilities and carrier-grade security that go beyond other security solutions. By leveraging our virtualized security technology, Tata Communications will be able to offer strong and flexible security that can scale to the current and future needs of its customers, thereby increasing the profitability of their managed security service.”

Customers can rely on a single service provider for Internet and security, and have the service provider take care of the equipment as well. This enterprise-class security solution is well suited to secure remote offices of large organizations as it provides a single solution for comprehensive protection and enables the IT organization (or an MSSP) to centrally manage policies.

Initially, Tata Communications plans to offer the service in India only to existing IAS (Internet Access Services formerly ILL) customers. This service will be extended to Managed Hosting and Co-location customers in India as well as other regions in the near future.

Using state-of-the-art technology, processes and tools, Tata Communications’ global support team of industry veterans manage and monitor both premise-based and network-based security solutions 24x7x365. Backed by aggressive, performance-based Service Level Agreements (SLAs), this firm’s Managed Security Services support customers in India and overseas.

About Tata Communications

Tata Communications, a member of the $62.5 billion Tata Group, is a leading global provider of a new world of communications. The emerging markets communications leader leverages its advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-India network to deliver managed solutions to multi-national and Indian enterprises, service providers and Indian consumers.

This organization’s range of services include transmission, IP, converged voice, mobility, managed network connectivity, hosting and storage, managed security, managed collaboration and business transformation for global enterprises and service providers, as well as Internet, retail broadband and content services for Indian consumers. The Tata Global Network encompasses one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries across 300 Pops, and more than 1 million square feet of data center and co-location facilities.

The unique emerging market depth and breadth of reach of this firm includes a national fiber backbone network and access to network in over 60 cities and 125 Pops in India, strategic investments in South African converged services operator, Neotel, Sri Lanka, and Nepal and, subject to fulfillment of conditions precedent, a 50% ownership in China Enterprise Communications (CEC) providing full country VPN coverage in China.

Servicing customers from its offices in over 80 cities in 40 countries, Tata Communications is the number one global international wholesale voice operator and number one provider of international long distance, enterprise data, and Internet services in India, the Company was named “Best Wholesale Carrier” at the World Communications Awards in 2006, “Best Pan-Asian Wholesale Provider” at the 2006 and 2007 Capacity Magazine Global Wholesale Telecommunications Awards and was awarded “Best Progress in Emerging Markets” at the 2008 Mobile Communication Awards.

Tata Communications Limited along with its global subsidiaries, (Tata Communications), is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India and its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. (NYSE: TCL)

For more information, please visit their webpages:

http://www.tatacommunications.com/enterprise/security/

http://www.tatacommunications.com/news/release-view.asp?d=20080423-security