Macquarie Telecom & Fortinet launch unified secure network solution
Macquarie Telecom has expanded its partnership with Fortinet to introduce a fully unified secure networking solution for the Australian market, aiming to address rising cybersecurity threats and operational challenges faced by mid-market and enterprise organisations.
Unified platform
The new offering brings together secure software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), next-generation firewall, security service edge, cloud security, switching, and Wi-Fi in a single platform. By consolidating these features, the solution is designed to streamline network management and enhance protection across a range of devices and environments, including remote workforces and distributed sites.
Operational focus
Both companies are aiming to simplify network operations for customers. Macquarie Telecom will deliver, monitor, and support the platform using its Australian-based engineering and 24/7 operations team. This approach is intended to provide full visibility across the digital environment and fast, consistent incident response without the need for multiple licensing models or management consoles.
Regulatory compliance
The expanded partnership responds to Australian organisations' needs to comply with mounting regulatory pressure and specific security frameworks, including the Government's Essential Eight standards. Macquarie Telecom's local operations aim to help organisations manage these compliance obligations while maintaining network resilience and high performance.
Partnership rationale
John Milionis, Channel Sales Director, Australia and New Zealand, Fortinet, highlighted the purpose of the initiative:
"Fortinet is proud to expand its long-standing partnership with Macquarie Telecom to bring a unified secure networking solution purpose-built for Australian organisations. By combining global innovation in secure networking with Macquarie Telecom's locally delivered expertise, customers gain a simpler, more resilient, and more secure way to operate their networks. Together, we're helping organisations reduce complexity and strengthen their cyber resilience as they scale," said Milionis.
Customer priorities
As Australian businesses adopt more cloud-based services and support increasingly hybrid workforces, there is heightened demand for solutions that are scalable and can adapt to complex environments. The single-platform approach is positioned to enforce consistent security policies whether workers are on-site or remote and irrespective of the device or application ecosystem involved.
Carrier-grade connectivity
Macquarie Telecom's network reach and its carrier-grade architecture underpin the offering's connectivity capabilities. The infrastructure is designed to address latency and performance requirements for organisations operating with multiple sites or mission-critical cloud workloads in sectors with stringent compliance requirements.
Local expertise
Luke Clifton, Group Executive at Macquarie Telecom, commented on the priorities of Australian organisations seeking a balance between support and capability:
"When sovereignty, accountability, and fast response are critical, customers shouldn't have to choose between global cybersecurity capability and local support. We deliver both - and few others can," said Luke Clifton, Group Executive, Macquarie Telecom.
Clifton also reflected on the mission behind the partnership. "Our mission has always been to identify best-in-market technologies and make them accessible, manageable, and secure for Australian businesses. Fortinet brings depth in security-driven networking and a full-stack architecture built from the ground up for protection and performance. By combining that with our locally based expert teams and 24/7 operations, we are delivering a unified platform that gives customers a simpler, stronger, and more accountable way to secure their networks. Meanwhile we're preserving customer choice and ensuring they can adopt the solutions that best fit their needs," said Clifton.
"The partnership between Fortinet and Macquarie Telecom ensures Australian businesses no longer need to choose between local trust, global innovation, operational simplicity, or security. They can have it all, through one platform and one partner," said Clifton.
