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Optus: Cybersecurity Juggernaut
Simon Ractliffe, Head of Cyber SecurityAs we connect more devices and the IoT ecosystem grows, new risks will continue to emerge. Malicious actors will attempt to manipulate the flow of information to and from networks, and tamper with the devices themselves. The consequences of cyber-attacks are broad, ranging from the theft of sensitive data to the interruption of business operations, as well as slower-burn costs such as customer churn and damage to reputation.
As the frequency and scope of cybersecurity and privacy risks continue to mount, there is a critical need for ‘always on’ services to mitigate zero-day attacks. Optus - a telecommunications and ICT solutions provider - says robust security must be at the core of any network.
“A network is the lifeblood of any organisation. It underpins all operations, and is what enables a business to compete in the digital age,” says Simon Ractliffe - head of cybersecurity for Optus Business.
Perhaps what gives Optus an edge over its competitors is its global cyber capabilities
“For this reason, protecting your network from malicious attacks is paramount,” he says.
Perhaps what gives Optus an edge over its competitors is its global cyber capabilities - backed by both its parent company Singtel, and managed security services business Trustwave (acquired by the Singtel Group in 2015).
Optus has a state of the art Advanced Security Operation Centre (ASOC) in Sydney which is part of a global network of federated ASOCs.
“We have a worldwide team of security experts that ‘follow the sun’, providing advanced threat detection and incident response 24/7,” says Ractliffe.
“We leverage patented behaviour-analysis engines to identify anomalies in a network, and proactively enhance inbound and outbound security. Network updates are also applied automatically, so the latest version of detection algorithms is always provided to customers,” he says.
Optus not only invests heavily in cybersecurity talent and technologies - it is also committed to helping bridge Australia’s cybersecurity skills shortage. In this regard, the firm has run over 300 cyber awareness and readiness sessions with boards. The cyber security adepts have also assisted over 40,000 high school students stay safe online through the Optus Digital Thumbprint program. Also, 12,000 students were enrolled across secondary schools in the Optus Cyber Security Experience to inspire the ethical hackers of tomorrow.
By 2020, 3000 graduate students will have gone through Optus’ industry-sponsored university programs.
“We’re adamant about establishing an ecosystem that supports our nation’s cyber competencies for the years to come,” says Ractliffe.
