In today’s connected world, strong cybersecurity doesn’t just protect individual organizations—it helps safeguard the entire digital community. Protecting these systems has never been more important.
Telecommunications companies recognize the importance of security for the millions of customers who rely on their networks to stay connected. With them in mind, we’re joining with companies across the industry to diligently defend customers against cyber threats before they even happen.
This week, top cybersecurity professionals from 13 global telecom carriers gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Telecommunications Cyber Cup Challenge, a live exercise designed for professionals to test their skills, learn from one another, and strengthen security practices.
AT&T co-hosted the challenge with SimSpace, a leading provider of realistic cybersecurity threat emulations. Similar to a game of “capture the flag,” SimSpace simulated an attack by a sophisticated nation-state actor attempting to infiltrate our telecommunications networks.
Participants earned points by detecting and effectively responding to the attack while maintaining—or regaining—control of compromised systems. During the challenge, we monitored “live” network traffic that mirrored our own telecommunications infrastructure, simulating the real-world urgency needed to keep customers protected.
This industry gathering was just one part of a broader effort by the world’s leading telecom carriers to anticipate and stop cybersecurity threats before they ever impact customers. Today’s threats are persistent, increasingly sophisticated, and constantly evolving – which is why we’re constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve.
But no single company or country can address these challenges and protect the entire digital ecosystem alone.
Recognizing this, we’ve convened Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) multiple times over the past year to improve information sharing across our industry and government partners. As a result of this proactive effort, professionals across the industry have built stronger relationships and regularly discuss security findings, coordinate responses to real-time threats, and share best practices. This collaboration is critical as we exercise flexibility in continuing to respond to the evolving threat environment and protect the customers on our networks.
In the end, all of us won the challenge – every company participating and every one of their customers. And this is only the beginning. Our commitment to collaboration and proactive defense will remain at the core of our strategy. Together, we will build a safer, more resilient digital future.
Rich Baich is senior vice president and chief information security officer of AT&T.
