Press Releases 2018

ETISALAT, SINGTEL, SOFTBANK AND TELEFÓNICA
CREATE GLOBAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCE

  • Members to share cyber risk intelligence and security capabilities to protect enterprises from evolving cyber threats worldwide
  • Alliance has presence in over 60 countries, combined 1.2 billion customers, over 20 SOCs and more than 5,000 security experts
  • Combined capabilities with this Alliance would make it one of the world's leading managed security services platform.

April 12, 2018
SoftBank Corp.
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company P.J.S.C.
Singapore Telecommunications Limited
Telefónica Digital España SLU

Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Madrid, 12 April 2018 — Etisalat, Singtel, SoftBank and Telefónica today signed an agreement to create the first Global Telco Security Alliance to offer enterprises a comprehensive portfolio of cyber security services.

The alliance will be one of the world's biggest cyber security providers, with more than 1.2 billion customers in over 60 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. Through their combined resources and capabilities, the group can protect enterprises against the rising cyber security risks as the information security environment becomes increasingly complex.

Through the alliance, members can achieve operational synergies and economies of scale that will eventually help lower costs for their customers. The group's members operates 22 world-class Security Operation Centres (SOCs) and employs more than 5,000 cyber security experts. To expand their global footprint, the alliance is open to bringing in new members over time.

Under the agreement, the group will share network intelligence on cyber threats and leverage their joint global reach, assets and cyber security capabilities to serve customers worldwide. Leveraging each member's respective geographic footprint and expertise, the alliance is able to support each other's customers anywhere and anytime, allowing them to respond rapidly to any cyber security threats.

To enhance their cyber security portfolio, the members will also look into the possibility of developing new technologies such as predictive analytics using machine learning and advanced cyber security for the Internet of Things. The alliance will also consider developing a joint roadmap for the evolution of their cyber security portfolios and explore joint investments in security products and services, SOCs, platforms, start-ups and R&D.

Supporting quotes from the Global Telco Security Alliance members:

Francisco Salcedo, Senior Vice President at Etisalat Digital said: “With digital technologies gaining widespread adoption and driving innovation across industry verticals, the security landscape has evolved. Organizations now face a new breed of threats and need to manage digital risks in their environments. Today's strategic alliance will give us a unique opportunity to work hand in hand with our telecom counterparts and deliver innovative security services for digital risk management.”

“We need swift and coordinated global responses to defend enterprises that operate across transnational borders as cyber threats are increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication,” said Art Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Global Cyber Security at Singtel. “Singtel and its US-based subsidiary Trustwave are both well-established security leaders across the Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. The group's resources, combined with those of its alliance partners, will provide a robust cyber security platform to protect our global customers, allowing them to thrive in the digital economy.”

Andrew Schwabecher, Head of the Cloud & Cyber Security Division at SoftBank Corp. said, “Hackers have well-established and organized communities where they cooperate to produce cyber threats — it's time that the world's largest network of operators formed a global alliance to strengthen our defense against these attacks. SoftBank is excited to join the initial alliance partners including Singtel, Telefónica and Etisalat, to offer enhanced security to our customers and advance our cyber defense.”

“The Security Alliance will help all its members to deliver disruptive innovation to secure our customers' digital lives,” said Pedro Pablo Pérez, VP Security at Telefónica and CEO of Telefónica's cybersecurity unit ElevenPaths. “For Telefónica, it's a major step ahead in complementing our ability to develop as an intelligent Managed Security Service Provider and to continue to deliver outstanding growth.”

About Singtel

Singtel is Asia's leading communications technology group, providing a portfolio of services from next-generation communication, technology services to infotainment to both consumers and businesses. For consumers, Singtel delivers a complete and integrated suite of services, including mobile, broadband and TV. For businesses, Singtel offers a complementary array of workforce mobility solutions, data hosting, cloud, network infrastructure, analytics and cyber-security capabilities. The Group has presence in Asia, Australia and Africa and reaches over 685 million mobile customers in 22 countries. Its infrastructure and technology services for businesses span 21 countries, with more than 428 direct points of presence in 362 cities.

For more information, visit www.singtel.com

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SingtelNews

About Etisalat Group

Etisalat Group is one of the world's leading telecom groups in emerging markets. Etisalat's current market cap is 152 billion AED (41 billion USD). With reported net revenues of AED 51.7 billion and net profit of 8.4 billion for 2017, Etisalat ranks amongst the most profitable telecom groups in the world. Its high credit ratings at AA-/A+/Aa3 reflect the company's strong balance sheet and proven long-term performance.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Etisalat was established four decades ago in the UAE as the country's first telecommunications service provider. An international blue-chip organisation, Etisalat provides innovative solutions and services to 142 million subscribers in 16 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

About SoftBank Corp.

SoftBank Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO:9984), provides mobile communication, fixed-line communication, and Internet connection services to consumers and corporate customers in Japan. Leveraging the innovative technologies of other SoftBank Group companies, SoftBank Corp. is also expanding into AI, smart robotics, IoT, FinTech, cloud security and other business sectors. To learn more, please visit www.SoftBank.jp/en/corp/group/sbm/

About Telefónica

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a ‘Digital Telco’, a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth.

The company has a significant presence in 20 countries and a customer base of 344 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.

If you would like to know more about the Telefónica, please visit www.telefonica.com