AT&T signs up for global cybersecurity alliance

On Wednesday, AT&T became the first North American telco to join the Global Telco Security Alliance, which launched last year.

Etisalat, Singtel, SoftBank and Telefónica were the founding members of the security alliance when it was first announced in April of last year. AT&T joined the group as an equal member.

The Global Telco Security Alliance is another example of there being more safety in numbers when service providers and other organizations share information related to cybersecurity attacks.

AT&T brings added weight to the security alliance through its extensive cybersecurity capabilities and technologies. AT&T increased its cybersecurity capabilities with last year's deal to buy cybersecurity company AlienVault for an undisclosed sum. 

RELATED: AT&T to buy San Mateo, California-based cybersecurity company AlienVault

AlienVault develops tools that identify and manage cyberattacks through its Unified Security Management platform.

The addition of AT&T heightens the Alliance’s ability to share insights and best practices for customers globally by tapping into the expertise of more than 6,000 security experts and a global network of more than 28 security operations Centers.

The members of the Alliance now cover more than 1.2 billion customers in more than 60 countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.

The Global Telco Security Alliance plans to expand its scope of activities and global footprint over time and is "open" to adding new members in the future.

"Cybercriminals have well established and organized communities that cooperate to produce cyber threats and it’s time large network operators work together to help deliver disruptive innovations and enable our global customers to detect and respond to threats faster and protect their digital footprint," said Barmak Meftah, president of AT&T Cybersecurity, in a prepared statement.