How Optus and Palo Alto Networks are shaping the future of secure connectivity
Australian organisations are under pressure to modernise their networks, simplify fragmented security environments and keep pace with a rising threat landscape. Optus and Palo Alto Networks are working together to remove that complexity, so businesses can move with confidence and perform at full speed.
Steve Manley, Vice President ANZ at Palo Alto Networks, describes the partnership as “an important alliance shaping secure connectivity in Australia,” reflecting the strength of the collaboration and the shared commitment to customers.
The partnership first took shape in 2016 when Optus integrated Palo Alto Networks’ threat prevention capabilities into its managed security services. Soon after, the Optus Advanced Security Operations Centre opened in Sydney with Palo Alto Networks as a foundation partner. That early work has grown into a deeply connected model across network and security, first expanding into Optus Managed Firewall and now evolving further with the latest release of Optus Managed SASE, both powered by Palo Alto Networks technology.
Convergence that clears the road ahead
Tom Chan, Director of Cyber Security and Network Solutions, Optus Enterprise, says the momentum behind this partnership reflects how much the market has shifted. “We’re finally seeing the convergence of security and the network,” he says.
For Tom, the power sits in bringing worldclass capabilities together. “This combination of Optus’s carrier network with the most comprehensive security platform globally makes perfect sense.”
Customers are seeing clear benefits. Tom says embedding security into the network removes unnecessary integration work. The technical teams across Optus and Palo Alto Networks also operate closely, supporting both handover models and fully managed services. And by uniting the Network Operations Centre and Security Operations Centre, “customers have a single point of contact and incidents are detected and resolved faster.”
Cutting through tool sprawl
Many organisations are still juggling overlapping tools and VPNs designed for a different era. Tom calls this out directly. “Tool sprawl is a big one,” he explains.
The Optus and Palo Alto Networks approach consolidates visibility across users, apps and traffic through a single platform using Palo Alto Networks' Prisma® SASE. Prisma® SASE gives users secure, context‑aware remote access to applications wherever they are, with minimal impact on productivity.
Enabling full speed business performances
The next evolution of secure connectivity will feel integrated and seamless. Tom says, “We’re heading toward a world where secure access is just part of the network experience. Invisible, integrated and proactive.” Advances in autonomous threat detection, AI driven incident response and end to end visibility are accelerating that shift.
With Optus at the network layer and Palo Alto Networks at the security layer, the partnership is positioned to deliver solutions that are scalable, sovereign and simple for Australian organisations.
Steve Manley sums it up well. This isn’t just about connectivity or cybersecurity. “It’s about giving customers confidence to move forward, knowing both are built in.”
Optus and Palo Alto Networks are working together to navigate the complexity of modern networks, so your business can perform at full speed.
Ready to accelerate your organisation?
Request a call back below to speak with our team to learn how Optus and Palo Alto Networks can simplify your security and help your business perform at full speed.
Learn more about our partnership here.
Optus Enterprise
For over 30 years Optus has helped organisations of all sizes to transform their customer and employee experiences.
Trusted by Australia's largest enterprises and government departments, Optus helps businesses improve employee retention and engagement, boost customer satisfaction, and drive operational efficiency.
