Australian telecom operator Macquarie enlisted Netskope to boost cybersecurity measures for its users.

Netskope’s security service edge (SSE) platform will be integrated into Macquarie Telecom’s SD-WAN to shore up its network architecture.

The integration will provide secure access service edge (SASE) available to Macquarie partners, a move the pair said would help users better secure their networks and enable them to adopt cloud and AI technologies for business use.

“By joining forces with Netskope, we’re giving customers a smarter, more resilient network backed by integrated, enterprise-grade security," Macquarie Telecom Group Executive Luke Clifton noted.

Australian businesses have suffered a stark increase in cybersecurity attacks in recent years. This week alone saw hackers target a regional pharmacy in Queensland, having compromised data kept on the business's private IT storage device.

Macquarie said that by tapping Netskope’s offerings, with the added benefit of working with a single managed partner, Australian users can benefit from increased security. In addition, Netskope is certified by the Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP), meaning its services are suitable for use by Australian government agencies.

“Modern networks need to be both fast and secure, but many organizations are still having to accept trade-offs between performance and security, which result in either an inferior security posture, or a degraded user experience,” Netskope SVP Tony Burnside explained.

Netskope was among the top vendors in Gartner’s recent rankings of SSE vendors and SASE providers, with the California-based firm praised for its “strong technical capabilities” and robust brand awareness among enterprises.

The security vendor is looking to bring in up to $935 million in its upcoming IPO, as Netskope looks to buck the trend of cybersecurity firms avoiding going public – with rivals Wiz, Nozomi Networks, and CyberArk instead opting for mergers and acquisitions.