Why Extreme Networks Backs Unified Telecoms Security

Telecommunications providers are under unprecedented pressure to secure expansive, distributed networks while enabling business agility and innovation. The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is central to the challenge, as telcos face mounting threats, evolving regulation and an ever-expanding attack surface.

For Phil Swain, CISO of Extreme Networks, the solution lies in dismantling the barriers between networking and security operations. Once treated as separate disciplines, they are now converging into a unified function; one that embeds resilience directly into the infrastructure at the heart of telecoms operations.

“Chief Information Security Officers face mounting pressure to secure expansive enterprise networks while supporting business agility,” says Phil. “For me, the challenge lies in dismantling the barriers between networking and security operations, disciplines once separate but now merging into a unified function.”

Fragmentation: The hidden risk

Fragmentation remains one of the biggest challenges for large enterprises, particularly telcos with complex, layered infrastructures.

Phil warns that while fragmentation may begin with “well-meaning decisions to buy tools for specific problems,” it ultimately creates “siloed data, consoles and teams,” which can make managing security more complicated rather than less.

He explains: “Ironically, instead of improving security, it can introduce new risks.

"Another factor is the misalignment of business processes as needs change and finally, there is shadow IT, where employees attach new devices and applications to the network that haven’t been approved.”

For telecoms, this fragmentation can result in delayed alerts, inconsistent processes and a lack of visibility across sprawling network estates. The result is inefficiency and increased vulnerability.

Why unified platforms matter

The alternative, Phil argues, is a unified platform that integrates networking, AI and security. “Ultimately, the greater the fragmentation, the less efficient and effective a cyber team will be,” he notes.

“This is one of the reasons many IT and security teams are turning toward unified platforms that bring everything across networking, AI and security into one place, making it easier to manage and control,” he adds

For telecoms operators, the unified view not only accelerates incident response but also reduces staff burnout. Phil points out: “Disconnected tools make incident response slower and security work more stressful.

"Security teams and data analysts often spend hours stitching together logs and alerts from different systems, hindering their ability to identify and respond to threats or work on implementing proactive strategies.”

By contrast, a single view of the network means telecoms security teams can prioritise what matters most, respond faster and remain focused on enabling the business.

Regulation and resilience

New regulatory frameworks, such as the Cyber Resilience Act, are prompting enterprises to reassess their security governance. Yet Phil is clear that compliance alone is not enough.

“Compliance doesn’t necessarily mean resilience,” he says. “Regulation can help identify risks and help to mitigate them, but it can’t fully address issues caused by fragmentation like slow response times.”

For telecoms, the focus must be on building unified, infrastructure-level strategies that can adapt as threats evolve.

Regulation may set the baseline, but achieving resilience means integrated security that operates at the network scale.

AI: Both threat and opportunity

Telecommunications providers are rapidly adopting AI to optimise networks and deliver new services. Yet AI introduces new attack vectors.

Phil advises that organisations must treat AI like any other network user. “Ask yourself: would you give a human user full admin access to all your data sets?

"Probably not. Yet, we often give AI agents equivalent access, with less control, oversight and training.”

By embedding security directly into the infrastructure, telcos gain the agility to counter AI-driven threats while avoiding the pitfalls of fragmented defences.

Building resilient telecoms networks

Telcos sit at the intersection of critical infrastructure and consumer trust. To succeed, they must move beyond fragmented tools and embrace unified, infrastructure-level security.

As Phil concludes: “Fragmented tools can’t keep pace; only a unified approach can close the gaps and keep organisations secure and resilient.”