2026
PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED
100%
CLOUD-NATIVE DELIVERY
Real-Time
THREAT PROTECTION
Tech Mahindra and Cisco have joined forces to launch a unified, AI-driven Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, aiming to help global enterprises replace fragmented security tools with a single, cloud-native platform built for distributed and hybrid workforces.
From Perimeter Defence to Cloud-Native Security
For years, corporate network security relied on perimeter-based defences designed to keep external threats out while trusting everyone inside the network boundary. But as businesses shift to distributed cloud environments and hybrid work models, that approach no longer holds up.
Security Service Edge (SSE) addresses this by moving security checkpoints directly into the cloud. Instead of routing traffic through slow, centralised servers, SSE inspects data, verifies user identities, and blocks threats in real time, regardless of where employees are located.
Simplifying Cloud Security
The new joint offering combines Tech Mahindra's managed services and integration expertise with the Cisco Secure Access platform. By consolidating tools such as secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers, zero-trust network access, firewalls, and data loss prevention into a single solution, the partnership aims to replace messy collections of standalone software with unified, AI-driven defence.
This architecture is designed to provide crucial protection as organisations enter the agentic era, safeguarding interactions with generative AI tools and autonomous AI agents.
"As enterprises increasingly operate in hybrid and distributed environments, security must evolve from siloed controls to unified, cloud-native platforms"
— Saket Singh, Senior Vice President & Business Head, Digital Core Services, Tech Mahindra
Modernising Security for the Agentic AI Era
"Enterprises don't need another tool to stitch into an already complex security stack," says Raj Chopra, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco Security Business Group. He notes that businesses instead need a simpler way to secure how work happens across users, devices, applications, clouds, and increasingly, AI agents.
Chopra explains that Cisco Secure Access brings zero trust, identity context, and AI-powered protection into one cloud-delivered platform, helping teams enforce policy consistently while giving users seamless access from anywhere. Combined with Tech Mahindra's global managed services and integration expertise, the partnership aims to help organisations modernise security operations, accelerate secure cloud and AI adoption, and move with confidence in the agentic era.
Key Takeaways
- →Tech Mahindra and Cisco have partnered to deliver a unified, AI-driven Security Service Edge (SSE) offering for global enterprises.
- →SSE shifts security checkpoints into the cloud, inspecting data and verifying identities in real time rather than relying on outdated perimeter-based defences.
- →The offering consolidates secure web gateways, CASB, ZTNA, firewalls, and data loss prevention into one platform.
- →The architecture is designed to protect interactions with generative AI tools and autonomous AI agents as businesses enter the agentic era.
- →Cisco Secure Access combines zero trust, identity context, and AI-powered protection into a single cloud-delivered platform.
- →The partnership pairs Tech Mahindra's global managed services with Cisco's cloud-native security to help enterprises accelerate secure cloud and AI adoption.
Tags:
Cybersecurity
Zero Trust
Cloud Security
Security Service Edge
AI
Enterprise IT
Agentic AI
