Airtel Business launches managed Zero Trust platform for hybrid workforce security

Targets DPDP compliance, unified security operations and lower enterprise security costs.

Airtel Business, the B2B arm of Bharti Airtel, has launched Airtel Secure Workforce, a fully managed Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) platform to help enterprises secure hybrid work environments and simplify cybersecurity operations.

The platform combines secure connectivity, endpoint protection, remote access and managed security services under a unified framework. Airtel said the solution is aimed at organisations dealing with growing cybersecurity risks, fragmented security deployments and increasing compliance requirements.

The company is positioning the offering as India's first fully managed and unified ZTA platform for enterprises.

However, Airtel Business had launched Airtel Secure Digital Internet, in partnership with Zscaler, with a near-identical claim of being India's first fully managed ZTA-based solution. What separates the two products technically, and whether the "unified" positioning reflects a new architecture or an expanded rebrand, remains a question the company is yet to address clearly.

Built on Airtel's network infrastructure and managed security operations capabilities, the platform will help secure users, devices, applications, networks, and enterprise data through a centralised security stack.

The platform includes endpoint detection and response capabilities, secure remote access, unified monitoring and policy management features. Enterprises will also gain visibility into unsanctioned cloud and AI applications through a central dashboard.

Airtel Business’ CEO, Sharat Sinha, said enterprises are under pressure to secure users and devices against evolving AI-powered cyberattacks while also managing operational costs.

He added that the unified platform combines connectivity and managed security services to help organisations strengthen protection while remaining focused on business operations.

Sinha claims that its unified approach will help us deliver maximum value to enterprise customers enabling them to unlock up to 30 percent optimisation in their security spends.

Address operational challenges

According to Airtel, the platform has been built to address operational challenges, including alert fatigue, tool overload and shortage of cybersecurity talent within organisations.

The unified dashboard provides visibility across users, endpoints, applications, networks and data environments, helping enterprises monitor employee activity across email, web, devices and enterprise applications.

The platform also includes audit-grade logs, structured incident workflows and data movement controls to support governance and regulatory monitoring.

Airtel said the offering has been designed to support compliance requirements under India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

The company will provide 24x7 managed services and security monitoring as part of the deployment.

The launch reflects Airtel Business' strategy of expanding beyond enterprise connectivity into managed cybersecurity and digital infrastructure services.

Telecom operators are increasingly looking to position themselves as integrated enterprise technology providers by combining connectivity, cloud, cybersecurity and managed services offerings under a single platform model.

The Zero Trust security model has gained traction among enterprises in recent years as organisations move applications, workloads and users beyond traditional perimeter-based environments.

Hybrid work adoption has further accelerated demand for secure remote access, endpoint monitoring and centralised security visibility across distributed workforces.

Introduces centre of excellence

As part of the launch, Airtel Business has also introduced the Airtel Secure Workforce Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Hosted on Airtel Cloud, the facility will allow enterprises to experience and test the platform in a live environment before deployment at scale.

The company said the CoE will help organisations evaluate security capabilities, operational workflows and deployment models prior to implementation.

Beyond evaluation, the CoE gives Airtel a structured way to stay embedded with enterprise customers before they make a buying decision, a model the industry commonly uses to turn pilots into long-term managed services deals.

With the launch of Airtel Secure Workforce, Airtel Business is strengthening its presence in the enterprise cybersecurity market, where demand for managed security services and compliance-focused platforms continues to grow across sectors including banking, manufacturing, healthcare, government and digital services.