AT&T, the telecom giant, announced last week that it is bidding adieu to a significant wing of its managed security services provider unit. Industry analysts believe that this decision stems from AT&T’s focus to allow the team’s consulting services to grow. The newly independent group will become part of a new company co-owned by AT&T and venture capital firm WillJam. This new company is the brainchild of Bob McCullen, a former executive chair of multiple cybersecurity service firms and the founder of several other managed security companies.
Rick Welday, the head of AT&T Enterprise Markets, stated in a news release that the direct focus remains on unlocking the power of the company’s best-in-class connectivity with embedded security features. This will allow the network to intelligently protect customers end-to-end. The company is energized about the new business model and the opportunities and capabilities these network enhancements will bring to the market.
This deal will see the new unit retain “select” security software products, operational security teams, and security consulting resources, according to AT&T. Beyond this announcement, AT&T has offered virtually no details about the new business, but sources have stated that the joint venture — codenamed “Knight” — will focus on allowing the security consulting team to grow more freely. AT&T has been selling a managed security suite for years and has adapted the technology from its acquisition of AlienVault in 2019 and rebranded it as “AT&T Cybersecurity.”