Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications service provider in India, has announced a new partnership with global cybersecurity leader Fortinet to launch ‘Airtel Secure Internet,’ a next-generation secure connectivity solution tailored for enterprises. This innovative solution leverages advanced cybersecurity technologies to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of existing and emerging cyber threats.
‘Airtel Secure Internet’ is designed to enhance security over Airtel’s Internet Lease Line (ILL) network, combining high-speed internet connectivity with Fortinet’s next-generation firewall. The solution is fully managed through Airtel’s state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre (SOC) and integrates Fortinet’s Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platform, ensuring robust defense mechanisms and effective threat management.
Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, emphasized the growing complexity of cybersecurity challenges and the need for businesses to adopt comprehensive solutions without incurring high capital expenditures. “Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly complex, and many organizations lack the resources to manage it effectively. With ‘Airtel Secure Internet,’ we offer a future-proof solution that strengthens enterprises’ security without the burden of high capex,” Sinha stated.
Vivek Srivastava, Country Manager for India & SAARC at Fortinet, highlighted the partnership’s strategic benefits. “Our collaboration with Airtel Business to offer ‘Secure Internet’ provides a cost-effective solution, delivering 24×7 security event monitoring and detection to identify and respond to potential threats in real-time. By leveraging the SOC-as-a-Service model, organizations can reduce their total cost of ownership, bridge the cybersecurity skills gap, and gain greater visibility into their complex environments,” Srivastava explained.
The ‘Airtel Secure Internet’ service model addresses several critical challenges faced by businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including limited expertise, fragmented support, and high capital expenditure for security equipment. The service provides fully managed security with 24x7x365 coverage through certified experts, comprehensive threat protection, and flexible subscription plans with zero capital investments.
With Airtel Secure Internet, businesses can link all their locations, including headquarters, regional offices, data centers, and remote sites, using Airtel’s pan-India connectivity. The integration of Fortinet’s Next Generation Firewall ensures holistic security, while Airtel’s intelligent Security Operations Centre (iSOC) manages the entire setup, delivering continuous protection and peace of mind.
