Billed by Telstra as a first in Australia from a major telco service provider, the new service combines an enterprise-grade SD-WAN and security platform powered by VMware SD-WAN and Palo Alto Networks respectively, into a single, cloud-based offering.

“Critically, ADAPT S1 puts cloud-based security at the forefront of our Adaptive SD-WAN services,” says Telstra, adding that “unlike other services where security relies upon premise based hardware and the SD-WAN service is layered over connectivity, ADAPT S1 is baked into our core fixed and mobile networks.”

“This reduces cost and complexity especially for mid-sized organisations, making investment in these technologies far more affordable.

“Our early ADAPT S1 adopter customers like the service simplicity and it provides confidence that they have a secure by design, adaptive network infrastructure to support growth. ADAPT S1 uses Telstra’s core network for added security and redundancy, ensuring businesses won’t be slowed down by the unexpected.

“With one of the largest deployments of VMware SD-WAN Gateways across Australian points-of-presence (PoPs), ADAPT S1 provides businesses with improved security and user experience, remote worker access and an easy migration path from their typical network deployment into a new, secure and available Adaptive Network.

“Adaptive Networks is Telstra’s new enterprise connectivity suite that enables businesses to choose worldleading connectivity solutions from a menu of flexible options. This bucks the traditional trend of inflexible, lock-in systems in favour of scalable connectivity that can be adapted to suit individual business objectives for our customers in a dynamic fashion,” Telstra said in a statement announcing the new service on Thursday.

Sanjay Nayak, Executive and Group Owner of Telstra's Global Connectivity & Platforms product portfolio said that Telstra-conducted research demonstrates that security and networks are of equal importance to customers, “demonstrating the clear need for securing the network stack with a baked-in, best-in-class solution goes hand in hand with enabling vital connectivity, which is why Telstra has built ADAPT S1 into the Adaptive Networks suite”.

“As COVID-19 accelerates the need for decentralised business activities, the need for security has increased. With staff using consumer-grade networking technology to log onto corporate VPNs, it’s important for business to implement a secure stack,” Nayak said.

“With more data flowing to mobile offices and workers, ADAPT S1 secures the corporate WAN in one seamless solution.

“5G will also be progressively supported as the SD-WAN devices become available and the network continues its rollout.”              

“VMware is pleased to be partnering with Telstra for ADAPT S1. As customers evolve their cloud strategies to ensure their businesses are future-ready, they’re looking for solutions which provide secure, automated access to data and apps, from anywhere,” said Brad Anderson, Vice President and Managing Director, VMware Australia and New Zealand.

“VMware SD-WAN enables simple access to information, no matter where it’s located, so businesses can adapt and scale and employees can work from wherever they choose,” Anderson concluded.

Simon Green, president, Japan and Asia Pacific, Palo Alto Networks said: "Palo Alto Networks is thrilled to be partnering with Telstra. With Prisma Access, Telstra's customers will be able to fully inspect all application traffic bidirectionally with no compromise on speed, security or performance thereby helping them to prevent successful cyberattacks."

ADAPT S1 is service assured by Telstra and entirely delivered through the Telstra Business and Enterprise Partner Channel with a current range of selected, accredited ADAPT S1 Partners across Australia, including Step Communications, Azured, Digital Armour, Exigo Tech, Mangano IT, Oreta, StarData, Virtual IT Group and Wireless Communications.

“Telstra continues to accelerate its investment in SASE strategy to deliver innovative and leading SASE aligned services in conjunction with our leading strategic global partners,” Telstra noted.

“This includes new capabilities such as Telstra Security Domain Orchestrator (SDO) offering a highly flexible, API centric, orchestration engine enabling service chaining and technology and service integration, accelerating the ramp up of new SASE aligned services whilst also simplifying the cost and complexity for our customers. “

Telstra says the first set of cloud security services that leverage its innovations will be released later this quarter.