AI Magazine Issue 11 2018

Acquisition International - Issue 11 2018 5 News: from around the world Global System Integration and Reseller Partnership A10 Networks, a provider of intelligent and automated cybersecurity solutions, announced on the 7th November 2018 a global system integration and reseller partnership with NEC Corporation. The partnership will include the integration of A10 security products and technology into NEC 5G, Pre-5G and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) infrastructure systems. As service providers plan to rapidly commercialise 5G services, they need a consolidated security and networking solution to seamlessly integrate with their existing solutions. This strategic partnership between NEC, a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies, and A10 Networks will allow service providers to achieve the scale and security needed to meet the demands of 5G-infrastructure rollouts. The partnership will provide protection from security challenges for service providers brought on by distributed open architecture, the massive influx of IoT devices, and external threats from cyber criminals to carrier networks. “We have a long-standing history of meeting customer needs and demands through collaborating and partnering with NEC,” said Lee Chen, Founder and CEO of A10 Networks. “With the move to 5G underway, service providers across the globe are transforming their business. This means huge growth opportunities and new routes to revenue, but 5G also brings expanded security risks and service providers need to be focused on finding ways to protect their business and customers.” “We are very excited to expand our relationship with A10 Networks,” said Shigeru Okuya, Senior Vice President at NEC Corporation. “We are always looking to provide our customers with the industry’s best solutions and this partnership will provide seamless integration of A10’s top-notch security and application networking solutions.” Through the partnership, service providers will be able to leverage A10’s industry leading solutions, highlights include: • 5G-GiLAN™ Security Consolidation - Consolidates CGNAT, GiFW, application visibility and intelligent traffic steering to provide operational efficiency, reduced latency and better security on the GiLAN. • DDoS Protection – Enables highly scalable DDoS protection with advanced intelligent automation capabilities, powered by machine learning, to enable proactive and precise DDoS defences throughout the entire protection lifecycle. • Application Delivery and Load Balancing - Delivers application agility, availability and acceleration solutions for critical web, application, and DNS infrastructure. The solution includes DNS and web application firewalls, and advanced traffic optimisation. • Intelligent Traffic Steering - Subscriber-aware traffic steering to enhance new business models with differentiated service offerings for new revenue streams. • GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) support - GTP Firewall with granular SCTP filtering defends the mobile core against GTP-based attacks initiated from RAN or GRX/IPX networks. • Adoption of SDN/NFV - Achieve on-demand capacity with versatile software options (PNFs, VNFs, Containers and Bare Metal) across SDN/NFV environments. Supports A10 FlexPool subscription-based capacity pooling licensing model for flexible consumption. A10 Networks announces global reseller and solutions integration partnership with NEC Corporation. Embark Group announces the completion of the asset purchase of all trading assets of Liberty SIPP Limited (‘Liberty’) via its subsidiary EBS Pensions Limited (‘EBS’). The combined business, operationally led by Liberty Directors John Fox and Julie Dean, brings together £6.8bn AuA, a combined book of 32k SIPP clients, a large and competent FTE base, with a solid infrastructure on which to continue its strong growth trajectory. The combined business is profitable on day one and will result in additional synergies downstream. The new business will be headquartered within the Embark Group in Greater Manchester, with a satellite operation in London. The consideration is undisclosed, however, Embark will inject £2m of additional regulatory capital into EBS to support scale and growth for the business. Embark will also provide financial and operational support to the shareholders of Liberty to facilitate the orderly wind-up of its business. Going forward, the transferring Liberty SIPP products will be re-branded although will be maintained on the current terms and conditions, operated by EBS. The clients of these products will gain access to the broader services of the Embark Group downstream. This transaction brings the total SIPP scale of the Embark Group to c56k schemes and c140k consumer clients with total Group AuA of c£15bn, following five full years of activity since the Group’s inception in 2013. Phil Smith, CEO of the Embark Group, says: “This transaction, at this time, provides protection for the consumer clients of Liberty. It is also highly positive for the employees of both businesses and will further improve the growth trajectory for wider stakeholders of the Embark Group. Fundamentally, the ex-Liberty team, their clients and distribution partners will thrive with the supportive financial strength, scale, and technology resources of the Embark Group. John Fox, Managing Director of Liberty SIPP, says: “The timing and cultural fit of this transaction is excellent for all of us at Liberty. We are moving from being one of the fastest growing small players in the SIPP market, to driving the continued growth of one of the largest sector players. We have many complementary strengths and capabilities but share a clear passion for consumer outcomes and service. We look forward with excitement, in what has been a challenging period for the SIPP market. EBS Pensions and Liberty SIPPMerge Through Asset Purchase Creating £15bn AuA for Embark Group NEWS / From Around The World