Shares of cloud security specialist Netskope rose on Tuesday following the announcement that Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland has launched a fully managed ‘Security Edge’ cyber security service built on the Netskope One platform.
The development underscores growing enterprise demand for managed Secure Service Edge (SSE) and SASE capabilities as organizations adapt to hybrid work, cloud-native architectures, and increasingly complex cyber threats.
Netskope’s stock traded actively on the news, with nearly 3.6 million shares changing hands. The share price fluctuated between $15.41 and $16.75 during the session, ultimately closing up 3.2% at $15.92. The market reaction reflected investor confidence in Netskope’s expanding role as a core technology provider for managed security services delivered through large telecommunications and IT services partners.
Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland formally announced the launch of its Security Edge service for customers in the UK and Ireland earlier today. The offering is based on Netskope’s AI-driven security platform and is positioned as a fully managed service designed to help enterprises securely access applications and data from anywhere. The service aims to reduce cyber risk, operational complexity, and cost for organizations operating in cloud-native and hybrid IT environments.
Under the agreement, Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland will deliver a comprehensive cyber security service built on the Netskope One platform, complemented by Telefónica Tech’s professional and managed services. This includes implementation support, ongoing administration, advisory services, and security incident response, all delivered through Telefónica Tech’s Security Operation Centers (SOCs). These SOCs are staffed by security professionals holding advanced Netskope certifications, reinforcing the managed nature of the offering.
Netskope One brings together security, networking, and analytics capabilities into a single converged platform. Built around zero trust principles, the platform uses AI to optimize user access, protect sensitive data wherever it moves, prevent advanced threats, and enable secure work-from-anywhere connectivity without sacrificing performance. This convergence is increasingly viewed as essential for enterprises seeking to modernize security while maintaining user experience across distributed workforces.
Telefónica Tech positions its Security Edge service as a response to evolving enterprise security needs driven by digital transformation initiatives. As more business-critical workloads move to the cloud and employees access corporate systems from multiple locations and devices, traditional perimeter-based security models have become less effective. Managed SSE services promise a more adaptive approach by enforcing consistent security policies across users, applications, and data flows.
Ed Tucker, Cyber Security Practice Director at Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland, said the launch reflects both customer demand and the success of similar offerings in other markets. He noted that by offering Netskope One as a managed service, Telefónica Tech is better positioned to help organizations improve IT performance, support frictionless collaboration, unlock data value, and deploy enterprise-grade cyber security without the burden of managing complex tools internally.
From Netskope’s perspective, the partnership strengthens its presence in the UK and Irish enterprise markets by embedding its platform within a trusted, locally managed service. Colette Kitterhing, Vice President UKI at Netskope, said organizations in the region are under pressure to modernize data security, advance AI initiatives, and maintain the speed and performance required for digital business. She emphasized that delivering Netskope One as a managed service helps customers avoid the traditional trade-offs between strong security controls and network performance.
The announcement also aligns with Netskope’s broader market positioning. The company has been widely recognized for its capabilities in cloud, data, and AI security, and in 2025 it was again named a Leader in both the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms and the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Secure Service Edge. Such recognition has helped position Netskope as a key enabler for service providers looking to deliver next-generation security services at scale.
For Telefónica Tech, the Security Edge launch reinforces its strategy of expanding value-added digital services beyond connectivity, while for Netskope it represents another step toward becoming a foundational platform within managed security ecosystems. As enterprises continue to prioritize zero trust, cloud security, and managed services, partnerships like this are likely to play an increasingly central role in how cyber security is delivered and consumed.
Executive Insights FAQ
Why did Netskope’s shares rise following the announcement?
Investors reacted positively to the validation of Netskope’s platform as the foundation for a major managed security service offering.
What does Telefónica Tech’s Security Edge service provide?
A fully managed, AI-driven security service enabling secure access to applications and data across cloud and hybrid environments.
Why are managed SSE services gaining traction?
They reduce complexity for enterprises while addressing the security challenges of hybrid work and cloud adoption.
What role does zero trust play in this service?
Zero trust principles ensure continuous verification of users and devices, minimizing risk regardless of location.
How does this partnership benefit UK and Irish enterprises?
It provides access to advanced security technology delivered locally as a managed service with expert support.
