The regional service provider RCN Business is deploying Versa Networks’ software-defined security in three of its data centers to provide security as a managed service for its business customers.

“What’s neat about this is that it’s a full cloud-based security that has no on-premises equipment requirement,” says Mark Weiner, chief marketing officer with Versa Networks. “This is a true cloud-based firewall.”

The Versa software will be loaded on x86 servers in three RCN data centers. Customer traffic then travels over RCN’s fiber network and is protected with Versa’s security through the RCN cloud. There is no need for a special device at a customer’s main office or branches.

RCN serves both consumer and business customers throughout the midwest and east coast regions of the United States. But this cloud-based managed security is targeted to RCN Business customers with fiber connections. These range from mid-market businesses to large enterprises.

With Versa’s software, RCN can provide both the connection and security in the cloud as one service.

“This does the same as if you had a firewall on premises” and demonstrates a benefit of network functions virtualization (NFV), without which "it has been painful to stock physical firewalls for each customer,” says Weiner.

In addition to saving on capital costs of hardware, the software security can be quickly deployed. Where hardware could take several weeks to deploy at branch offices, the software can be deployed in days.

The new RCN Business Managed Security offers layered protection through: