Juniper Networks Brings AI-Native Security to stc's Services

Saudi Telecom Company (stc) is strengthening its 5G security deployment with Juniper Networks and automation technology. 

A strategic software upgrade aims to improve security performance, enhance user experiences and reduce costs.

As part of this collaboration, the two companies have enhanced stc’s network security gateway (SGi) infrastructure by integrating automation features into its existing Juniper SRX next-generation firewall deployment. 

These updates are designed to increase capacity while ensuring high security standards and sustainability commitments.

Bader Allhieb, Infrastructure VP at stc, states: “stc is relentless in the pursuit of faster, more secure offerings at a lower cost and with a tangible consideration for sustainability. 

“Juniper’s latest innovations with automation software and its feature-rich security capabilities have enabled stc to unlock unparalleled next-generation firewall performance and significantly reduce power and space consumption.”

Advancing 5G security with AI and automation

stc has fully adopted Juniper’s AI-Native Security approach, which is an integral part of the Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform.

Recently, Juniper Networks announced that stc is expanding its 5G services to reach 75 cities and regions. 

The deployment of Juniper 400G routers within its Converged Supercore network and data centres is set to enhance network capacity, performance and scalability. This expansion aligns with stc’s digital transformation strategy while reducing energy consumption.

By integrating automation into its security infrastructure, stc aims to streamline operations and optimise efficiency for a more seamless user experience.

The shift to an end-to-end security approach, rather than using an overlay system, allows stc to leverage automation, better insight and improved threat protection. 

This creates a high-performance, threat-aware environment that safeguards users, applications and infrastructure from cyber threats. Bader adds: “We can now continue to deliver the best possible user experience simply, responsibly and economically, differentiating stc as we continue in the 5G era.”

Balancing digital safety with performance demands

stc has activated Juniper Networks’ Automated Express Path+ software within its Juniper Networks SRX 5800 Firewalls. This upgrade enhances security capabilities without requiring new hardware investments. 

The software automates data identification and accelerates data flow, improving processing efficiency by up to 48%.

The automation upgrade has also led to significant CapEx and OpEx savings, improving infrastructure efficiency.

Power consumption for operating the SRX gateways has been reduced by up to 30%, contributing to sustainability by allowing for a more compact yet powerful deployment. As a result, the cost per gigabit processed is significantly lower.

The telecom industry is facing an evolving cyber threat landscape, with businesses and individuals increasingly dependent on digital technology. 

According to Nokia’s recent Threat Intelligence Report, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have risen sharply, with cybercriminals leveraging AI and automation to exploit digital vulnerabilities.

The report highlights that botnets—networks of compromised computers controlled by cybercriminals—remain the main source of these attacks, generating approximately 60% of DDoS traffic monitored by Nokia during the reporting period.

With these security risks in mind, stc’s customers across business and consumer services will experience improved security and optimised performance due to automation. 

Network latency will be reduced by up to 600%, enhancing the overall user experience.

Mike Spanbauer, Technology Evangelist at Juniper Networks, explains: “Service providers face increasingly demanding expectations from users for fast data throughput and available bandwidth, based on the huge potential of 5G. But the need for the most sophisticated, threat-aware security, capable of successfully identifying and mitigating a wide range of known and unknown threats across a broad range of apps, work flows and roles at line-speed, is equally important.”

He adds: “stc understands that intelligent automation is the key to delivering both, ensuring that its investment in a high-performance, experience-first network is not impeded by slow or ineffectual security.”

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