Saudi Telecom Company (stc) and Juniper Networks have partnered to enhance stc’s 5G-ready network security gateway (SGi) infrastructure, adding new automation features to its existing Juniper SRX next-generation firewall deployment. This collaboration optimizes user experiences, increases capacity, lowers costs, and strengthens security while promoting sustainability.
stc has embraced Juniper’s AI-Native Security approach, which is central to the Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform. By integrating next-generation security across its entire infrastructure, rather than as an overlay, stc gains better insight, automation, and real-time actions to protect its users, applications, and network infrastructure.
The introduction of Juniper’s Automated Express Path+ software feature into stc’s Juniper Networks® SRX 5800 Firewalls enhances data processing speeds by up to 48%, without requiring new hardware. This software automates the identification and accelerated flow of data, resulting in significant savings in both capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx), as well as optimizing overall system efficiency.
Furthermore, the software upgrade has led to a 30% reduction in power consumption, supporting stc’s sustainability goals by enabling the deployment of more powerful systems within a smaller footprint. These improvements lead to a substantial reduction in the cost per gigabit processed.
The automation enhancements also bring substantial benefits to stc’s customers, improving performance and security across a wide range of business and consumer services. Notably, network latency is reduced by up to 600%, minimizing jitter and improving the quality of digital content. This also ensures that the most stringent security policies are applied consistently and intelligently to data traffic at scale.
Supporting Quotes:
Bader Allhieb, Infrastructure VP at stc, stated, “We can now continue to deliver the best possible user experience simply, responsibly, and economically, differentiating stc as we continue in the 5G era.”
Mike Spanbauer, Technology Evangelist at Juniper Networks, commented, “stc understands that intelligent automation is key to ensuring that its investment in a high-performance network is not impeded by slow or ineffectual security.”
The collaboration strengthens stc’s position in the 5G era, combining performance, security, and sustainability to meet the growing demands of both consumers and businesses in the region.
