Broadcom Expands VMware vDefend Portfolio at VMware Explore 2024 Conference
At the VMware Explore 2024 conference, Broadcom announced significant enhancements to its VMware vDefend portfolio, introducing generative artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and strengthening its software-defined edge computing offerings. These updates are designed to provide tighter integrations with VMware’s networking and security solutions.
Previously known as VMware NSX Security Solutions, VMware vDefend is a comprehensive suite of security tools, including firewalls, that operate within the VMware network virtualization environment. A key highlight of this expansion is the integration of Project Cypress, a generative AI co-pilot that will bolster VMware vDefend’s capabilities.
In addition to AI enhancements, Broadcom is rolling out new analytics tools aimed at detecting malware and firewall vulnerabilities, along with improved intrusion detection and prevention features. This initiative aims to fortify the security posture of organizations as they increasingly rely on virtualized environments.
Broadcom has also enhanced the VMware vDefend’s functionality by allowing it to collect sensor data from the VMware hypervisor. Furthermore, existing security configurations can now be imported into VMware Cloud Foundation 9, simplifying the process of deploying private cloud solutions.
Expanding its offerings, Broadcom will now support fixed wireless access (FWA) and satellite connections for the VMware VeloCloud Edge appliances. This includes a new lineup of VeloCloud Edge models—710, 720, and 740—that integrate FWA, satellite, and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) services.
The integration extends to Broadcom’s networking portfolio, which has been aligned with the VMware Edge Compute Stack. Moreover, VMware’s secure access service edge (SASE) platform, VMware VeloCloud SASE, is now connected with Symantec security services, which Broadcom delivers as a cloud-based offering.
Sanjay Uppal, Vice President and General Manager for the Software-Defined Edge Division at Broadcom, emphasized the necessity of these advanced capabilities, particularly as organizations deploy mission-critical applications that increasingly incorporate AI. These applications, especially in operations technology (OT) environments, are becoming prime targets for cyber threats.
Uppal highlighted the importance of securing sensitive data streams, especially as small language models at the edge relay information back to larger AI systems hosted in the cloud or local data centers.
While it remains uncertain how extensively organizations are utilizing both VMware and Broadcom’s security solutions, the ongoing integration efforts following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware demonstrate a commitment to creating a more cohesive product suite.
As cybersecurity teams contend with an overwhelming array of tools and platforms, the effectiveness of these integrations in reducing overall cybersecurity costs remains to be seen. However, as security responsibilities increasingly shift towards IT and networking operations teams, there lies an opportunity for organizations to minimize the number of cybersecurity and IT vendors they engage with.
Ultimately, Broadcom anticipates that the growing trend of distributing workloads to the edge will prompt organizations to seek comprehensive security solutions capable of safeguarding both on-premises IT environments and cloud services. The challenge will be ensuring that teams overseeing these diverse environments can effectively support any initiatives aimed at consolidation.
