Cloud computing, data analytics and advanced technologies are what some might refer to as the lifeblood for many enterprises. Think about it. The cloud acts as a dynamic infrastructure and provides scalable and flexible resources that let businesses adapt swiftly to changing demands. Data, recognized as the new currency, fuels strategic decision-making through analytics. This offers valuable insights and fosters a deeper understanding of customer behavior and market trends. Meanwhile, technology, encompassing AI, machine learning and automation, not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation and competitive advantage.

Together, these elements form an interconnected ecosystem that propels businesses forward, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the modern digital era with agility and resilience. However, cybersecurity threats are more prevalent as a risk to organizations' core operating models. (It’s evident in reports from Verizon and IBM.)

Cybersecurity leaders need to come up with a strategy to better protect their businesses. One strategy is to collaborate with other cybersecurity leaders – a step IBM and Palo Alto (News - Alert) Networks recently took. IBM Consulting and Palo Alto Networks expanded their strategic partnership to better enable clients to strengthen their end-to-end security postures and navigate evolving security threats.

"Organizations today need the right cybersecurity partners to keep up with the pace of the ever-changing threat landscape,” said BJ Jenkins, president of Palo Alto Networks. “We are expanding our longstanding partnership with IBM (News - Alert) to help our joint clients mitigate risk and protect critical data assets with industry-leading, AI-powered solutions, cloud security and services."

The companies will jointly offer enhanced security solutions that focus on two key areas: helping companies modernize their security operations and securing cloud transformations.

The collaboration will integrate IBM Consulting Cybersecurity Services with Palo Alto Networks Cortex platform. This joint offering leverages multiple layers of advanced AI and automation by combining IBM Consulting's Threat Detection and Response Services with Cortex XSIAM, an AI-driven security operations platform. IBM Consulting will provide 24/7 monitoring, investigation and automated remediation of security alerts, along with support for continuous improvement in cyber threat intelligence and risk reduction. Additionally, IBM Consulting has trained its teams on Cortex XSIAM to accelerate client success.

The collaboration also extended to leveraging Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks with IBM Consulting services. This joint effort encompasses a range of services that include security posture assessment, secure application development, implementation and ongoing protection and investigation services. Prisma Cloud safeguards the cloud-native application lifecycle, identifying and remediating risks before reaching production environments.

The joint offering that leverages Prisma Cloud builds on IBM Consulting's ecosystem approach of working closely with partners to assist companies in securing their hybrid cloud transformations.

“Our relationship with Palo Alto Networks as a select strategic partner is a testament to IBM's open and collaborative approach to cybersecurity,” said Mohamad Ali, Chief Operating Officer of IBM Consulting. “By bringing together best-of-breed AI, security technology, and consulting expertise from both companies, we can help clients create a strong security program that can adapt and scale with future threats.”

As part of the extended agreement, Palo Alto Networks will be in a select group of strategic IBM Consulting partners, and IBM Consulting will be a premier security services partner for Palo Alto Networks.