Kyndryl introduces SASE services combined with Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE

Kyndryl has launched end-to-end, secure access service edge (SASE) services, combined with Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE powered by Precision AI, enabling customers to enhance network security by adopting a cloud-first, zero-trust network security solution.

Kyndryl’s new SASE services support Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE, which integrates network and security into a unified cloud-delivered service. Prisma SASE provides organizations with granular control over user authentication and authorization, enabling secure access to business applications, as well as edge and IoT technologies.

According to survey findings from the Kyndryl Readiness Report, 94% of business leaders identify technology modernization as a high priority, yet only 39% of businesses report their IT infrastructure is prepared to manage future risks. As today’s hybrid workforce relies on accessing numerous business applications across various devices from anywhere, enterprises face a complex and highly distributed IT environment that is increasingly difficult to secure.

“To mitigate operational risk, business leaders need to prioritize upgrading IT infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity measures, as research shows that nearly half of the world’s mission-critical business technology is out-of-date or nearing end-of-life,” said Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Network and Edge Computing at Kyndryl. “As AI becomes a key focus for many organizations, our new SASE services for Palo Alto Networks’ AI-powered Prisma SASE solution, will enable businesses to transform securely by adopting a true zero-trust approach to protect against cyber threats in real-time.”

As a part of its own network modernization transformation since becoming an independent company, Kyndryl has shifted from an on-premises network architecture with 54 data centres to cloud-first, SASE-based, zero-trust security principles using select services from its technology partners, including Prisma SASE from Palo Alto Networks. The simplified security posture currently supports Kyndryl’s global hybrid workforce, enabling employees to securely access business-critical applications across any devices, and has resulted in lower IT operational spend. Leveraging the same expertise used in its own successful migrations, Kyndryl’s experts, accredited with network security certifications from Palo Alto Networks, are fully equipped to help customers in migrating from their on-prem environments to a flexible and scalable SASE solution that can offer best-in-class security, while ensuring an exceptional user experience for IT teams and end users.

“Implementing a SASE approach is one of the biggest network and security initiatives for an organization to take on, requiring significant transformation,” said Kristy Friedrichs, Chief Partnerships Officer, Palo Alto Networks. “These organizations need a solution that helps them scale at the speed of their business, especially with a hybrid workforce and an ever-expanding threat landscape. We’re offering our joint customers exactly what they need to help them transform by combining Prisma SASE, the industry’s most complete AI-powered SASE solution, with Kyndryl’s new SASE services.”

The end-to-end SASE services by Kyndryl include:

• Kyndryl Consult Advisory Services – Kyndryl can conduct end-to-end network maturity (including network and security operations centres) and network security health assessment of the customer’s current networking environment, followed by recommendation of the best SASE and zero-trust approach based on the customer’s business objectives and priorities.

• Kyndryl Design & Implementation Services – Kyndryl leverages a collaborative approach to build and discuss requirements for the customer’s network modernization requirements, including transition from Security Service Edge (SSE) or SD-WAN services to Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE. This is followed by a comprehensive design and deployment of the customer’s Prisma SASE environment, which includes testing, configuring, migration of existing users and services, and training for self-managed services.

• Kyndryl Managed SASE Services – Kyndryl offers end-to-end, 24/7 management of the customer’s platform with Prisma SASE deployed, including performing upgrades and health checks, continual optimization work, and integration with existing security operations centre (SOC) and network operations centre (NOC) platforms.

• Integration with Kyndryl Bridge – Kyndryl’s SD-WAN services are integrated with Kyndryl Bridge, the AI-powered, open-integration digital business platform that enables customers to observe, integrate, and orchestrate their entire technology environment and hybrid IT connectivity. Kyndryl is also integrating its new SASE services onto Kyndryl Bridge to further enhance the platform’s capabilities.

Kyndryl’s new SASE services expand on its alliance partnership with Palo Alto Networks that already offers customers Prisma Access (SSE), next-generation firewall (NGFW), private 5G and OT security, as well as Security Operations as a platform (SOaaP), with Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR technology.