Page 42 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

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cloud firewalls with a single click for end- together all of the various cloud, SD-WAN which historically been a challenge,"
to-end automation from the SD-WAN and security technologies, according to said Scott Raynovich, the founder and
service through the Umbrella secure Sambi. In the current scenario, Sambi chief analyst of Futuriom. "We’ll have
gateway. SD-WAN customers can tap into said it takes multiple vendors and multiple to wait to see if indeed all of these tools
the Umbrella capability as part of Cisco's technologies to provide holistic security can be managed by one cloud interface
DNA Security premium package. In order "We've got all of these assets within Cisco or operating system.” In a similar vein to
to enforce policies, the software does and we're now providing a full end-to-end, Cisco's approach, VMware announced in
automatic assessments of the identity of fully integrated stack," he said. "We can April that it was aligning various elements
the user and their context. "The move to map how the applications and devices of its portfolio in order to be a major player
SASE, I think, is the internet becoming the are accessing the internt. We can secure in the SASE sector. Cisco and VMware/
new WAN," said Cisco's Muninder Sambi, them along the way and offer a security Viptela have been among the top-two SD-
vice president of product management for posture in the cloud." While Cisco has the WAN vendors based on revenues. Whether
enterprise switching. "With the new WAN, wherewithal to create an entire ecosystem it prevails in the SASE space over the long
security becomes top of mind. A lot of for SASE, others may argue that multiple haul, Cisco's latest software update for
customers are looking to offer security at SASE vendors that provide different SD-WAN will no doubt be embraced by
scale in a single location with a single policy components would be more desirable than companies that are Cisco-centric. Sambi
enforcement. Cloud security becomes relaying on a single vendor. Several SD- said there has been 3,000 downloads of
super important and super critical at this WAN vendors, such as Cato Networks and the software to date with 75 to 100 of them
time." Sambi said with security, customers Versa Networks, claim to have embraced currently testing it. "We are really excited
are moving away from trust solutions the SASE elements of cloud, security and about bringing together cloud security and
toward more centric solutions that are SD-WAN prior to Gartner coming up with network sensors, and being able to help
associated with the context of the user of the term. “Cisco has many of the pieces our customers evolve or migrate to a SASE
the device in order to enforce the correct that could be used in a so-called SASE model by just making enterprises cloud
policies and to route them efficiently for implementation — cloud security tools, first," Sambi said. “I think that's something
the best user experience. Customers SD-WAN, Meraki Wifi — but the key is the that we're proud to bring into the market."
don't have time or the resources to stitch integration of the management systems,

Cisco Donates Critical Wi-Fi Access to Cayman Islands Communities

Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, Hon. Joey
Hew announced that ten community sites across the Cayman
Islands will be made available for residents to enjoy free, public
access to wireless internet. The opening of the community Wi-
Fi hotspots coincides with the easing of three-month shelter-in-
place restrictions, which were officially lifted on Sunday, June 21.
The technology infrastructure and equipment for the public Wi-
Fi hotspots were donated by global networking and technology
leader Cisco, to help provide relief to the social impact caused
by COVID-19 and help bridge the gaps of the digital divide. The
Cayman Islands Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg)
was charged with coordinating the overall project. Installation of
all Information Technology infrastructure as well as technology connectivity, technical labor and set-up, and a number of entities
deployment was led and managed by local IT solutions provider including District Administration, Ministry of Education, University
Unified Technologies, while the necessary bandwidth for the College of Cayman Islands, Seafarers Association and others for
hotspots was provided by regional telecommunications carrier providing the locations”. “Having internet access is more critical
Flow C&W. Both Unified Technologies and Flow C&W have deep than ever. Now is the time for business and government leaders
and longstanding roots in the Cayman Islands and are also to step up and work together to close the digital divide so we can
donating their time and resources to this initiative. Minister Hew create a digital and inclusive future where no one is left behind,”
expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for working together to said Shari Slate, Vice President, Chief Inclusion and Collaboration
get all the necessary infrastructure in place and the project off the Officer for Cisco. “We are proud to collaborate with Minister Hew
ground within a short timeframe. “This is a fantastic project that and the OfReg, and to offer our technology and expertise so that
will serve a great purpose for many people – students, families residents of the Cayman Islands who need help coping with this
and even young entrepreneurs. We recognize that some people new normal can access resources online and connect with family
may not have access to Internet so I feel sure that these hotspots without worry”. She added, “Cisco is grateful for the dedication and
will be welcomed across our Islands, especially at this time.” He local leadership demonstrated by Unified Technologies. Alongside
continued, “I have to commend OfReg for coordinating the project, Flow C&W and OfReg, the deep collaboration undertaken by our
the private sector organizations for providing the infrastructure, teams is truly what brought this initiative to life.”

42 JUNE-JULY 2020