BT, MTN Business announce cloud-security deal

UK-based telco BT and pan-African mobile operator MTN have announced a collaboration that will see customers across Africa benefiting from cloud-based security and communications services.

In a statement, UK-based BT said that African customers will get access to a raft of solutions, including cloud-based security and consultancy, managed connectivity and voice services which will be delivered as part of MTN's Enterprise portfolio that will meet local regulatory and compliance requirements.

The first offering by BT and MTN will be a Security Operations Centre (SOC) service, which will enable customers to consistently monitor and improve their cybersecurity, while preventing, detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents, the statement added.

The new service is based on BT's cloud-based Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) service, which will be scaled up and available immediately to MTN's existing and new customers.

"The world's leading banks, healthcare providers, energy companies and governments put their trust in BT to connect and secure their operations. We look forward to working with MTN to bring the same cutting-edge services and solutions to businesses across the African continent," BT Indirect Sales Director Alessandro Adriani said in the statement.

"MTN Business continues to deliver innovative solutions to ensure the benefits of the digital economy are expanded to more people and entities across Africa. As this growth happens, however, it is imperative to manage risk. MTN Business is excited about the potential this alliance has to offer and is committed to providing solutions that ensure businesses thrive in the digital economy of the future", MTN Chief Enterprise Business Officer Wanda Matandela added.

*Top image is of abstract cybersecurity background (Source: Technology wallpaper vector created by pikisuperstar - www.freepik.com)

— Matshepo Sehloho, Associate Editor, Connecting Africa