Tech Mahindra and Cisco have announced a strategic partnership to launch an AI-driven Security Service Edge (SSE) offering aimed at helping global enterprises strengthen cybersecurity while simplifying secure access across hybrid work environments and cloud infrastructure. The joint solution is designed to address the growing security challenges organizations face as they expand cloud adoption and integrate artificial intelligence into business operations.
The offering combines Tech Mahindra's managed security, systems integration and delivery capabilities with Cisco's cloud-native Secure Access platform. Together, the companies aim to provide enterprises with a unified security framework that delivers zero trust access, centralized visibility and AI-powered protection across users, devices, applications and networks.
As enterprises continue to shift toward distributed workplaces and cloud-first operations, security teams are managing increasingly fragmented technology environments. Organizations often rely on multiple security products that create operational complexity and inconsistent policy enforcement. The new SSE platform seeks to consolidate these capabilities into a single cloud-delivered architecture, enabling organizations to simplify security management while maintaining stronger control over access to enterprise resources.
The solution integrates multiple security functions including Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP). By bringing these capabilities together under Cisco Secure Access and combining them with Tech Mahindra's managed services, enterprises can gain end-to-end visibility into their security posture while accelerating deployment and reducing operational overhead.
Saket Singh, Senior Vice President and Business Head, Digital Core Services at Tech Mahindra, said enterprises operating in hybrid and distributed environments require unified cloud-native security platforms rather than disconnected security tools. He noted that the partnership combines Cisco's advanced SSE capabilities with Tech Mahindra's managed services expertise to simplify operations, strengthen zero trust implementation and deliver AI-powered protection at scale.
Cisco said the collaboration is intended to help organizations modernize security operations as AI agents and cloud-native applications become a larger part of enterprise technology ecosystems. Raj Chopra, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Cisco's Security Business Group, said organizations require integrated security platforms that consistently enforce policies while enabling seamless access for users regardless of location. He added that combining Cisco Secure Access with Tech Mahindra's global services capabilities will support secure cloud adoption and enterprise AI initiatives.
The companies also highlighted that the platform includes protections designed for generative AI and emerging AI agent workloads, reflecting the increasing need to secure enterprise AI deployments. As organizations adopt autonomous AI systems, cybersecurity vendors are expanding capabilities to manage new risks associated with AI-driven workflows, identity management and data access.
The latest collaboration builds on the long-standing relationship between Tech Mahindra and Cisco, which has expanded in recent years through initiatives focused on cloud security, cyber resilience and network modernization. Earlier this year, the two companies introduced Cyber Resilience Fabric, a joint platform combining Cisco's security technologies with Tech Mahindra's risk intelligence capabilities to improve threat detection and response.
The launch reflects a broader shift in enterprise cybersecurity strategies as organizations look to consolidate security infrastructure while supporting AI adoption and hybrid work. With businesses seeking scalable, cloud-native security platforms capable of protecting distributed users and applications, partnerships between technology service providers and cybersecurity vendors are increasingly shaping the next phase of enterprise digital transformation.