AT&T and William Ventures joined forces to launch LevelBlue, a new managed cybersecurity services company, at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. With over 1,000 employees worldwide, LevelBlue offers a range of cybersecurity services, such as managed security, consulting, threat intelligence, and continuous support from their security operations centers. The company aims to simplify cybersecurity for businesses, allowing them to innovate without compromising security.
LevelBlue’s proactive approach to threat identification and response is powered by a threat intelligence platform enriched with machine learning and an extensive community network. This platform provides actionable insights to anticipate and mitigate potential cyber threats. The company operates multiple global security and network operations centers, ensuring around-the-clock monitoring and support to enhance clients’ cybersecurity resilience.
The genesis of LevelBlue brings together AT&T’s managed service business, cybersecurity consulting, and assets acquired through the purchase of AlienVault in 2018. Led by Robert McCullen, former founder of WillJam Ventures, LevelBlue’s focus on cyber allows AT&T to invest in people and technology and prioritize customer cybersecurity needs. This strategic move by AT&T helps it streamline operations and redirect resources towards enhancing its network capabilities amidst a $143 billion long-term debt.
With strong foundations from AT&T Cybersecurity being ranked fourth among managed security service providers in 2022, LevelBlue aims to enhance its offerings, focusing more on managed detection and response services. Leveraging the Open Threat Exchange community from AlienVault, LevelBlue can access vast threat data and enhance its preemptive threat detection capabilities. This strategic move aligns with industry trends moving towards dynamic and proactive cybersecurity models.
The decision to concentrate on MDR services over traditional MSSP models reflects industry recognition of the specific skill sets required to combat increasingly advanced cyber threats. With a competitive market landscape including Symantec, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike, LevelBlue must differentiate its offerings and navigate challenges such as the high cost of cybersecurity talent. While initially relying on AT&T’s customer base for a strong start, the company’s long-term success will hinge on its ability to innovate and adapt.
AT&T’s launch of LevelBlue signifies a strategic move to alleviate financial strains while capitalizing on the growing cybersecurity market. The industry-wide shift towards specialized and adaptive cybersecurity solutions aligns with the evolving needs of modern enterprises. By leveraging its expertise and assets, including AlienVault’s OTX community, LevelBlue aims to establish itself as a key player in the managed cybersecurity services space, catering to the dynamic threat landscape and client requirements.
