Kyndryl, a global provider of IT infrastructure services, and Cloudflare, a powerhouse in CDN and cloud connectivity, have jointly announced the expansion of their strategic partnership. This collaboration is designed to empower businesses worldwide with the tools they need for seamless multi-cloud connectivity and a fortified network security landscape.
Kyndryl, known for its comprehensive consulting services and deep expertise across various domains including enterprise networking, security, and resilience, is pairing its strengths with Cloudflare’s cutting-edge connectivity cloud solutions. The Cloudflare platform seamlessly combines security, performance, and cloud agility, providing a comprehensive solution for digital infrastructure challenges.
The partnership between Kyndryl and Cloudflare is not new. It first took root in May 2023, aiming to revolutionize enterprise infrastructure through managed Wide Area Network (WAN) services and the introduction of Cloudflare’s Zero Trust model to corporate networks. The collaboration has since evolved, focusing on sweeping innovations across technological stacks to enhance, manage, and overhaul critical systems for their clients. Cloudflare’s suite of services is now set to be a cornerstone across Kyndryl’s practice areas, notably in Network & Edge as well as Security & Resilience.
Enterprises across the globe, representing a diverse array of sectors, have already benefited from the duo’s efforts in network modernization and security enhancement. Success stories range from supply chain optimizations in the United States to financial services improvements in Spain, and significant operational upgrades for Ashok Leyland, a top commercial vehicle manufacturer in India.
Vinod Gopinathan, CIO at Ashok Leyland, highlighted the critical need for robust, secure networks to support the company’s extensive IT infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted internet application performance and security, which Kyndryl and Cloudflare jointly facilitate.
“Cloudflare and Kyndryl is the duo that enterprises can fully lean on to migrate their networks and innovate across the cloud,” said Matt Harrell, Global Head of Channels and Alliances at Cloudflare. “Working hand-in-hand with customers, we’ve seen the demand and impact from Cloudflare’s leading connectivity cloud and comprehensive cybersecurity for business environments, right in hand with Kyndryl's industry-leading consulting and managed network services. Since partnering with Kyndryl, we have been able to scale Cloudflare’s services at a new level. Our Global Strategic Alliance can support any enterprise now across their entire network stack, regardless of where they stand in their cloud journey.”
Sustainable Networking
“Together with Cloudflare, we are enabling enterprises to migrate to next-generation networks and capitalize on advanced cloud features,” said Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Networking and Edge Compute at Kyndryl.The core objective of the Kyndryl-Cloudflare alliance is to simplify enterprise access to cloud services and data centers, ensuring high levels of network security. They aim to propel businesses towards digital maturity by guiding them through network modernization, reducing dependency on private network links and outdated appliances, and transitioning to a modern, security-first network architecture. The partnership promises not only to streamline operational efficiencies but also to bring about considerable cost savings, all while bolstering cybersecurity measures.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this collaboration is its focus on sustainable networking, according to the two tech companies. By moving away from traditional hardware and embracing Cloudflare’s cloud services, enterprises can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Studies would indicate that such a migration can result in a decrease in carbon emissions by 78% to 96%, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in IT operations.
The alliance has already yielded tangible benefits for Kyndryl itself, with Cloudflare’s network services enhancing Kyndryl’s web traffic handling and data load balancing capabilities while ensuring robust cybersecurity defenses, including DDoS mitigation.
“Together with Cloudflare, we are enabling enterprises to migrate to next-generation networks and capitalize on advanced cloud features to achieve greater agility and innovation. We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Cloudflare, an industry leader in cloud networking and Zero Trust,” said Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Networking and Edge Compute at Kyndryl. “With Kyndryl’s expert managed and consulting services, we will be helping our joint customers secure, streamline, and simplify their IT infrastructure, all while reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies.”
