Cloud transformation in the telecom industry requires a collective shift, and Dell Technologies has deep experience in guiding telcos as they embark on this journey. Over the last few years, Dell’s Telecom Systems Business (TSB) has led multi-year cloud transformation shifts across leading UAE customers, bringing significant reductions in costs while dramatically fueling business agility.
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Walid Yehia, Managing Director, UAE, Dell Technologies, shared insights on the company’s commitment to cloud security, the impact of 5G and why an open standards approach is crucial for the telecom sector’s success.
How does Dell contribute to helping telecom providers in the UAE effectively secure their data amidst the increasing demand for cloud services?
The adoption and utilization of cloud services in the UAE has experienced rapid growth, driven by increasing digitization efforts across various sectors. In such a scenario, organizations must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard their data and operations effectively. Dell recognizes the increasing importance of securing data in the cloud for telecom providers, and, as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of security solutions tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the telecom industry, ranging from robust hardware to cutting-edge software solutions.
We use our decades of experience in digital transformation and deep industry partnerships to design telecom solutions that reduce risk so communications service providers (CSPs) can ease the deployment, automate the operation and simplify the support and lifecycle management of disaggregated network cloud infrastructure. Earlier this year, at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona, we announced new solutions to help CSPs facilitate network cloud and operations transformation to achieve improved economics and agility.
How does Dell address the specific security challenges that arise with the adoption of emerging technologies, such as 5G, in the telecom industry?
With the rise of 5G, the attack surface expands, and Dell is at the forefront of addressing these challenges. We collaborate with telecom providers to secure the entire 5G ecosystem, from the infrastructure to the edge. This involves implementing security measures to safeguard the increased data flow, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of communication channels, and mitigating potential vulnerabilities associated with 5G technology.
Could you elaborate on the specific cloud security features you offer for telecom providers in the UAE?
Dell provides its telecoms customers with the industry’s broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era. Today, we’re accelerating the future of telecoms using our industry-standard hardware and software-defined architecture to speed up the modernization of telcos’ networks. Our hardware solutions are designed with security in mind. Our PowerEdge servers, for instance, are equipped with built-in security features such as hardware-based root of trust (RoT) and system lockdown. These features ensure that only authorized firmware and software can run on the servers, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access and tampering.
We also offer a range of software solutions that address different facets of cloud security. They include advanced threat detection and response tools, encryption solutions, and identity management (IdM) systems. These software components work together to create a layered security approach, protecting data at every stage of the CSP’s journey through the cloud.
Dell is known for its commitment to open standards. How does this approach benefit telecom providers in terms of interoperability and integration with other security solutions?
Dell is committed to open standards to ensure interoperability and flexibility for our customers. This is particularly important in the telecom industry, where diverse systems and technologies are in use. In 2022, Dell launched the Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab (OTEL), a state‑of‑the‑art facility dedicated to developing, testing and improving telecommunications solutions through open‑source technology and vendor‑neutral collaboration. It was created to help solve the network challenges of today and tomorrow. By working with Dell as an OTEL partner, CSPs benefit from a secure, state‑of‑the‑art lab environment that allows for more comprehensive, seamless testing and faster time to market (TTM) without scaling up costs.
Most recently, Dell and e& Group signed an MOU to drive 5G innovation and strengthen e& Group’s mobile networks transformation to open technologies. The agreement allows e& Group to explore new avenues to enhance its technological capabilities and utilize the Dell OTEL environment to create, validate and drive telecoms innovations. By adhering to open standards, our security solutions seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, allowing telecom providers to build a cohesive and interoperable security ecosystem.
In conclusion, what is Dell's vision for the future of cloud security for telecom providers? What advice would you give to organizations looking to enhance their data security in the cloud?
The future of cloud security lies in a holistic and adaptive approach. Dell envisions continued innovation in security solutions, leveraging emerging technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats. Telecom operators need to bring cloud-native technologies to their network architectures so they can deliver new revenue-generating capabilities and applications on their networks.
For organizations seeking to enhance their data security in the cloud, it is crucial to build a comprehensive strategy that includes both hardware and software solutions, proactive threat detection, and a commitment to open standards for seamless integration. By partnering with trusted providers like Dell, telecom organizations can fortify their defenses and navigate the dynamic landscape of cloud security with confidence.