Verizon Joins Forces with FireEye to Offer Enterprises Unprecedented Insight into Threat Landscape

Verizon Enterprise Solutions and FireEye, today, announced a collaboration to help protect enterprises from security threats. I recently sat down with FireEye CEO Dave DeWalt and Kathie Miley, executive director, global security solutions, Verizon to discuss the recently formed global agreement between the two companies and to learn more about combating cyberthreats.

What specifically will the two companies collaborate on?

Kathie Miley, Executive Director, Global Security Solutions, Verizon

Kathie: The fusion of the two organizations, especially with our intelligence capabilities, is very much needed given the current state of cyberthreats. We will initially offer mobile threat-protection services and will include mobile threat protection with Verizon’s other managed security services beginning in early 2015.

Dave: We are forming a global strategic alliance aimed at bringing together two of strongest entities in the security space to form a close relationship. I believe the combination of our capabilities and our people, coupled with our network and customer bases — plus the security intelligence we both gather — will be incredibly strong.

Can you describe the importance of this relationship to each respective company?

FireEye CEO Dave DeWalt

Kathie: Being able to leverage the FireEye technology allows us to offer solutions that help stop attacks while they are happening — this is the new perimeter security. With near real-time detection, enterprises will be able to better protect themselves. This approach allows us to prevent, recognize and respond to attacks.

Dave: Cybersecurity has never been more vital and critical to businesses. When you look at network infrastructure today, it relies heavily on cybersecurity. Whether it’s our smart grid, our banking and e-commerce systems or the government; every aspect of our lives are tied to the Internet and security of the cybersystems we rely on. Attackers are getting more aggressive. What this relationship represents is a close collaboration between two leading network security companies that are critical and essential in protecting the vital assets of enterprises and consumers.

What makes Verizon a good partner/vice versa?

Dave: Verizon’s scale, global reach, dedicated people and committed brand make it an excellent fit for us.

Kathie: FireEye’s innovative and cutting-edge technology allows us visibility into advanced threats. Its commitment and dedication to securing the world’s critical infrastructure and helping to bring this awareness to our global clients changes the game for enterprises. Verizon and FireEye both share the same vision of protecting the world against the bad guys.

How will enterprises benefit from this relationship?

Dave: When you look at the cyber challenges around the world, especially aggressive attackers that we read about every day, a lot of companies are spending a lot (of money) on security but are getting breached by adversaries in China or the Middle East.

The threat landscape has evolved and the security solutions customers require also have to evolve just as dramatically. Creating the art of the possible — that’s what Verizon and FireEye are doing.

It’s more than a product, more than a network, more than just experts — it’s a combination of products, intelligence and people that we can offer. Our goal is to stop tomorrow’s cyberthreats and attacks today. What we are initially bringing to market are mobile protection solutions that we believe will be the very first in the industry.

Kathie: By joining forces, we are able to close the gap between when the attack is taking place and the identification of an attack, creating a more proactive environment. Our goal is to identify the threat(s) in real time and stop them in real time.

When will the solution be available?

Kathie: In Q1 2015, we will offer the mobile threat application solution to our client base that works on Android and iOS devices. We plan to take the information we are able to gather from our mobile computing threat analysis and correlate it with the intel gleaned from our network. This will give us true visibility into the security threat landscape at the perimeter and beyond.

What sales model will you use to sell?

Kathie: Initially, Verizon and FireEye will sell the new mobile threat protection solution jointly. We will work together on selling and delivering cybersecurity solutions to the marketplace.

How long have FireEye and Verizon been working together?

Dave: We’ve been working together for the last couple of years. We’ve done various deals together with clients, but this is the first time we’ve come together with a global strategic relationship. The demand has been building and customers have been asking us to unite to deliver these new advanced threat management capabilities.

Visit Verizon’s Security Products portfolio to learn more about how to safeguard your enterprise business from cybercriminals.