AT&T and William Ventures Launch LevelBlue at RSA Conference: A New Era in Managed Cybersecurity Services

AT&T and WillJam Ventures Launch LevelBlue at RSA Conference

At the recent RSA Conference in San Francisco, AT&T and WillJam Ventures unveiled LevelBlue, a new managed cybersecurity services company aimed at simplifying cybersecurity for businesses. The company offers comprehensive services, including managed security, consulting, threat intelligence, and continuous support from their security operations centers.

With over 1,000 global employees, LevelBlue is backed by AT&T, which holds a minority stake and represents itself on the board. The company’s focus is on enabling businesses to innovate without compromising security, providing ongoing cybersecurity consulting, strategic management of security operations, proactive threat identification through its threat intelligence platform enriched with machine learning, and continuous support via its global SOCs and network operations centers.

The Genesis of LevelBlue

LevelBlue merges 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, the company aims to invest in people and technology to focus on customers from a cybersecurity perspective.

Strategic Implications for AT&T

The divestiture of its cybersecurity arm allows AT&T to streamline operations and focus on profitable sectors amid financial challenges. This move aligns with the company’s efforts to enhance network capabilities in the competitive telecom sector.

What LevelBlue Brings to the Table

LevelBlue builds on AT&T Cybersecurity’s strong foundation, ranking fourth among the top 250 managed security service providers in 2022. The company plans to enhance its offerings with a focus on managed detection and response services, leveraging the Open Threat Exchange community from AlienVault.

Analyst’s Take

The formation of LevelBlue reflects a trend among telecom giants to streamline core business areas and focus on emerging sectors like fiber and 5G technology. With assets inherited from AT&T and AlienVault, LevelBlue is well-positioned to address the demand for proactive cybersecurity solutions in a competitive market.

As LevelBlue enters the managed cybersecurity services space, it faces competition from industry leaders like Symantec, Palo Alto Networks, and CrowdStrike. The company’s success will depend on its ability to innovate and differentiate its offerings in a rapidly evolving digital threat landscape.

Overall, LevelBlue’s launch signifies a strategic move by AT&T to capitalize on the cybersecurity market while adapting to industry trends and meeting the needs of modern enterprises.