XO launches cloud-based security

XO Communications hopes to differentiate its cloud security service, announced today, based on its nationwide MPLS network and its unique pricing methodology, XO Communications Director of Product Management Mark Saffell told Connected Planet in an interview.

The company has had success in offering an alternative to traditional per-seat or per-employee pricing for services such as VOIP or unified communications. XO charges customers based on the total bandwidth of their combined connections across multiple locations.

“There is no per-location charge,” explained Saffell.

XO’s basic security service includes a cloud-based firewall. For additional cost, customers may add other capabilities such as intrusion detection and prevention. In addition, XO now offers secure remote access, which enables users traveling or working at home to use a secure tunnel to connect to the corporate network.
XO is offering the new security services in partnership with StillSecure, which will provide monitoring and management. The firewall service uses cloud-based firewall equipment from Fortinet. A single firewall device is shared by multiple customers but, Saffell said, “each customer is exclusive from the others.”

XO’s new cloud-based security services augment the managed security services the company previously offered. If they like, customers can use a mixture of the two offerings, Saffell said.