Palo Alto Networks and VMware unite in cyber crime fight

Palo Alto Networks and VMware have announced a partnership, backed by a new jointly-developed solution.

As a result of the deal, the company's will provide an integrated solution that combines the Palo Alto Networks VM-Series virtualised next-generation security platform with the VMware NSX network virtualisation platform.

With this joint solution, customers will be able to unify next-generation network security across their physical and virtual environments with a single point of management.

“Our partnership with VMware represents the next step in true next-generation network security, providing customers with a solution which consolidates cybersecurity across the physical and virtual environments," says Kelly Brazil, Director of Systems Engineering – APAC, Palo Alto Networks.

"With a single point of management, this integrated joint-solution will provide customers with an easier way to manage their cloud deployments and enable their business applications, safe in the knowledge that their networks are protected from cyber threats.

"We know that secure private cloud environments are in demand across Asia Pacific and this announcement solidifies Palo Alto Networks' commitment to data center security innovation.”

Security provisioning and change management is an operational challenge for today’s dynamic cloud data center environments according to Brazil.

Network security configuration and policy assignment can be slow, rigid and lag behind the pace and ease of application provisioning

At the same time, a next-generation security platform – where security policies are tied to applications, users and data – is a growing requirement for an effective cybersecurity strategy.

As a result, the integrated solution will enable customers to use the VMware NSX network virtualisation platform to automate provisioning and distribution of Palo Alto Networks next-generation network security in their software-defined data centers.

“We developed VMware NSX with an understanding that customers will want to continue to leverage previous IT investments with their strategic technology partners," adds Hatem Naguib, Vice President, Networking and Security, VMware.

"For next-generation network security, Palo Alto Networks is a leading partner, delivering innovative solutions for security in the software-defined data center.

"Palo Alto Networks and VMware customers will be able to use the distributed service framework of VMware NSX for fast and easy insertion of Palo Alto Networks security services, and achieve unified protection across their physical and virtual environments."

This integrated solution is now in beta with general availability planned in the first half of 2014.