Palo Alto Networks expanded its security ecosystem to protect high-performance AI factories as global networks pivot toward agentic systems.

The cybersecurity company unveiled four collaborations with Nokia, U Mobile, Aeris, and Celerway at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. Those arrangements are designed to help enterprises with sovereign AI and secure the autonomous edge.

Palo Alto Networks EVP Anand Oswal explained how “by integrating AI-powered security services directly from the data center into the most vital 5G and IoT networks globally,” it is ensuring the AI factory is secure by design.

“These partnerships enable us to create a secure digital infrastructure capable of managing the multiterabit throughput required for training AI models," Oswal said.

Partnering with Nokia, Palo Alto Networks is preparing to support the rise of European "gigafactories," combining Nokia's AI data center infrastructure with its AI platforms. This effort aims to help customers scale high-performance AI workloads while achieving their data sovereignty needs.

"In the race to build the world's AI factories, you cannot leave the door open at the infrastructure layer," Greg Dorai, SVP and GM of IP networks at Nokia, explained. "Nokia and Palo Alto Networks jointly envision comprehensive architectural and operational frameworks that expand security solutions from the network layer to workloads."

Deals in action

Also at MWC, Palo Alto Networks signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian 5G network provider U Mobile for a network-embedded security-as-a-service solution to shield its users from rising cybersecurity threats. This includes the integration of next-generation firewalls and AI-powered security directly into the carrier's 4G and 5G infrastructure.

In its partnerships with wireless management platform operator Aeris, Palo Alto Networks has integrated Aeris IoT Watchtower with its Prisma SASE 5G to deliver intelligent and interoperable solutions for mission-critical industries such as health care, manufacturing, retail, and utilities.

With the integration, enterprises are promised to obtain data loss prevention and zero-trust policies for wireless devices from a single point of control, closing the traditional security gap at the wireless edge.

In its collaboration with Norway operator Celerway Communication, Palo Alto Networks is integrating its VM-Series Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) to assist first responders and remote teams.

By enabling mission-critical 5G edge devices, the team has pledged to maintain a rigorous security posture and encrypted data integrity, even when operating in high-mobility or harsh environments far from the central hub.

These announcements follow Palo Alto Networks recent collaboration with IBM on AI security, where the duo teamed for a new framework providing a rapid AI security assessment.

The feature works as a two-week assessment by IBM, offering an AI infrastructure discovery and inventory (AI-BOM) service, which identifies AI models, agents, applications, and related components across targeted environments. The assessment also promises a prioritized, actionable roadmap with recommendations aligned to governance and compliance frameworks.