Airtel Business Partners with Zscaler to Launch ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’: A New Era of Cybersecurity for Enterprises

In an age where digital transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for businesses worldwide. Recognizing this urgent need, Airtel Business, the B2B arm of Bharti Airtel, has joined forces with Zscaler, a global leader in cloud security, to introduce ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’. This groundbreaking solution is India’s first fully-managed Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) designed to protect enterprises from a myriad of cyber threats.

The Need for Enhanced Cybersecurity

As Indian enterprises continue to innovate and adopt new technologies, they also face an increasing number of cyber threats. According to Zscaler ThreatLabz, Indian businesses experienced over 79 million phishing attacks and more than 5 billion encrypted attacks in the past year alone, placing India among the top three most-targeted markets globally. This alarming trend underscores the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures that can adapt to the evolving landscape of digital threats.

Introducing ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’

The ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’ solution is a fully-managed offering that combines Airtel’s Internet Leased Line (ILL) connectivity with Zscaler’s advanced cloud security technologies, including Security Service Edge (SSE) and Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™). This integration provides enterprises with a comprehensive suite of security features, such as:

• Comprehensive Threat Protection: Safeguarding against a wide range of cyber threats.
• SSL Inspection: Ensuring that encrypted traffic is thoroughly examined for potential risks.
• Cloud Firewall: Protecting cloud applications from unauthorized access and attacks.
• Secure Access to Cloud Applications: Enabling safe and efficient use of cloud services.

The core principle of the solution is ‘never trust, always verify’, which emphasizes the importance of rigorous verification of users, devices, and networks. This approach allows enterprises to navigate the complexities of the digital world with confidence, leveraging the unique capabilities of the solution in a scalable and cost-effective manner.

Leadership Insights

Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to partner with Zscaler to launch ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’ – a holistic solution for safeguarding enterprise networks. The cutting-edge solution will ensure that every internet interaction is rigorously verified, authenticated, and authorized to deliver a robust layer of security that protects enterprises from evolving cyber threats.”

Anant Nag, Area Vice President of Zscaler for India & SAARC, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the growing demand for zero trust solutions among enterprises. He noted, “Cybersecurity is a critical business priority, and enterprises across the market are doubling down on implementing zero trust solutions to keep their organization secured.”

Addressing the Challenges of Cybersecurity

The launch of ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’ comes at a time when organizations in India are grappling with various challenges in cybersecurity. These include managing multi-vendor security stacks, budget constraints, skill gaps, and time-to-market issues. The zero trust architecture of this solution simplifies security management by centralizing policy enforcement and reducing attack surfaces. Its cloud-native security ensures consistent protection for users across all locations, while the scalable, cloud-based platform eliminates the need for costly hardware, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership.

Optimizing Network Performance

To further enhance network performance and minimize latency, Airtel has strategically upgraded its Internet Points of Presence (PoPs) by integrating Zscaler’s advanced security stack. As a distinguished Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) partner of Zscaler, Airtel is well-equipped to deliver comprehensive managed services that cover the entire security lifecycle—from initial deployment to continuous, premium-grade support.

Enterprises can leverage Airtel’s extensive pan-India Internet Leased Line (ILL) connectivity to achieve secure and consistent connectivity across all their office locations. Additionally, businesses have the flexibility to procure Zscaler SSE as a standalone solution, bundled with Airtel’s managed services, which can be tailored to meet their unique requirements.

Conclusion

The partnership between Airtel Business and Zscaler marks a significant milestone in the realm of enterprise cybersecurity in India. With the launch of ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’, businesses can now access a state-of-the-art, fully-managed solution that not only protects them from evolving cyber threats but also empowers them to thrive in a complex digital landscape. As enterprises continue to navigate the challenges of digital transformation, this innovative solution will play a pivotal role in ensuring their security and operational efficiency.

In a world where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. With ‘Airtel Secure Digital Internet’, businesses in India can now operate with confidence, knowing that their networks are safeguarded by cutting-edge technology and expert support.