Comcast Business beefs up cybersecurity with Fortinet and Akamai

Comcast Business is teeing up more cybersecurity with Fortinet for mid-sized and enterprise customers that use its software-defined networking-based ActiveCore platform.

The partnership will integrate capabilities of Fortinet’s FortiGate-VM Next-Generation Firewall Virtual Appliance and Fortinet Security Fabric into ActiveCore to help protect against a variety of security threats, including malware and attacks that simultaneously target different network vulnerabilities.

Using Versa Networks, Comcast developed ActiveCore as its software-defined networking (SDN) platform for its services and applications. Starting several years ago, Comcast touted ActiveCore as one of the first cable-delivered, gigabit-ready SDN platforms in the cable industry.

As organizations undergo their digital transformations, they need to protect their WAN edge. During a previous interview with FierceTelecom, Comcast Business' Jody Hagemann, senior director of SD-WAN product management, said security was a hot topic this year, and customers wanted SD-WAN solutions that included integrated security as a virtual network functions (VNFs), which Comcast Business is working on.

RELATED: Comcast Business adds managed router VNF to ActiveCore platform

After launching SD-WAN two years ago on its ActiveCore platform, Comcast Business started offering managed routers on the same platform in April.

Comcast Business also announced a partnership with Akamai to develop cloud-based cybersecurity solutions aimed at protecting small business customers from increased cyberattacks. The Akamai solutions are designed to mitigate cyber attacks. They will also provide small business owners with more visibility into their networks with personalized dashboards and customized reports detailing network activity and threats.

Comcast Business didn't say when the new cybersecurity offerings with Akamai and Fortinet would be available.