HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a leading ICT service provider based in Hong Kong, is launching a one-stop secure access service edge (SASE) managed service for enterprises operating across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The fully managed end-to-end solution is powered by Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE solution. Together with HGC's cross-border network serving as the software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) backbone, the solution will help companies maintain data security and network performance across all their locations, applications and users in the GBA.
Alvin Wong, Chief Operating Officer - ICT Business, Solutions and Product, HGC Global Communications, said, “It is never easy for companies to navigate the complexities of mainland China’s internet and cybersecurity landscape, especially across borders where network performance and scalability and regulatory compliance could become the pain points. With HGC’s high-quality cross-border network and local resources, coupled with the localized SASE platforms provided by Palo Alto Networks on the mainland and overseas, customers across GBA will have access to the very best integrated networking and security managed services.”
The GBA comprises the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the nine municipalities of Dongguan, Foshan, Huizhou, Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province.
Enterprises operating in the GBA tend to have highly mobile users that rely on a variety of digital devices and virtual communication and collaboration tools as they work across borders to seize business opportunities. However, these hybrid working models, combined with the shift to the cloud and more complex networking architectures, make enterprises increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Wickie Fung, Managing Director, Hong Kong & Greater Bay Area, Palo Alto Networks, said, “Cyberattacks are borderless. Enterprises operating across borders and in the GBA need a comprehensive approach to safeguard their networks while enabling employee productivity and cloud adoption across borders. By integrating our SASE solution with HGC’s network and management capabilities, enterprises can benefit from enhanced security, connectivity, ease of use and more.”
The new service offering utilises HGC’s cross-border network as its SD-WAN backbone and leverages HGC’s Security Operations Centre (SOC) to monitor both the SASE cloud and customers’ devices in on-premise data centres, branch offices, and their virtual appliances in the cloud. This provides improved security, optimal stability, simplified management and scalability, better observability and reduced costs for the hybrid environment.
HGC has proven quality of cybersecurity solution deployment experience and best practice across Hong Kong and GBA. Under the partnership with Palo Alto Networks, they will also launch the first HGC & Palo Alto Networks Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the new cross-border SASE managed service in this quarter.