BT secures cloud services integration offering with Check Point Software Technologies

IRVING, Texas, June 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- BT announced today an agreement with Check Point Software Technologies to embed additional security capabilities into BT's global network, enabling customers to securely access cloud-based applications wherever they are hosted. The new embedded Cloud Firewall services are part of a range of hosted security solutions being deployed across BT's global network to deliver its vision of the 'cloud of clouds', as announced in April 20151.

As more applications and workloads move to private, public and hybrid clouds, customers require efficient and secure access over a mix of dedicated and public networks. They aim to strike the optimal balance between performance, cost and security. To better protect BT customers' boundaries with the internet, BT is now deploying additional managed security services at its global internet gateways, based on Check Point's 13500 series firewall technology.

To improve its cloud services integration capabilities, BT is enhancing the internet breakout from its global network at global gateways. These are located at the world's major internet peering locations. Breakouts can be deployed on a regional basis, which is best for access to general internet cloud facilities, or on an optimized basis, where traffic is kept on-net and breakout to the internet occurs closer to the traffic's destination at specific cloud locations.

Keith Langridge, vice president, network services at BT Global Services, said: "As our customers progress in their journey towards cloud-based IT, the need for secured connectivity to cloud resources through the internet has become critical. Our vision is to help them move confidently to cloud whilst minimizing the complexity, risk and cost. BT and Check Point have a long track record of successfully working together with world leading multinational companies. Our new embedded Cloud Firewall services considerably reinforce the security credentials of BT's cloud service integration offering."

"Check Point is excited to deliver its industry-leading Next Generation Firewall performance and security protection via BT's Cloud Connect Platform," said Alon Kantor, vice president of Business Development at Check Point Software Technologies. "We are thrilled to be working with BT on this innovative cloud security offering, protecting enterprises worldwide."

Embedded Cloud Firewall services are now available for BT Global Services customers globally as a standard solution.

Notes to EditorsBT's 'cloud of clouds' vision builds on a roadmap for future service delivery and is underpinned by a wide range of services and industry sector solutions, delivered over BT's global network infrastructure. The services are managed by customers through a single user-friendly service catalogue, using BT's new Cloud Management System.

BT's powerful mix of highly available and reliable international network services such as IP Connect, Ethernet Connect, Internet Connect and Managed LAN combined with its applications performance management (Connect Applications) brings large organisations together with their employees, customers and the world.

Further information:  All news can be accessed at our web sites: http://www.globalservices.bt.com/us/en/news and http://www.btplc.com/news 

About BTBT's purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world.  It is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of five customer-facing lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Business, BT Consumer, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2015, BT Group's reported revenue was £17,979m with reported profit before taxation of £2,645m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com.

1  'Cloud of clouds' gives BT customers a practical route into cloud computing that meets their needs for choice and flexibility, total security and someone who knows how to make it work together. More information here: www.bt.com/point-of-view

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SOURCE BT