Palo Alto Networks has announced the Palo Alto Networks Application Framework, a cloud-based framework that extends the capabilities of the Palo Alto Next-Generation Security Platform, which will allow customer organizations to implement a variety of cloud-based security applications from any provider, large or small.
This new framework represents an evolution of the Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Security Platform, disrupting the consumption model for organizations to rapidly access, evaluate and adopt cutting-edge security technologies with the Palo Alto Networks infrastructure they already have. It will extend the power of the platform to more rapidly achieve automated, consistent and scalable breach prevention capabilities, all delivered from the cloud.
The framework introduces a SaaS (software as a service) consumption model, allowing customers to rapidly evaluate and deploy new capabilities via security applications built by Palo Alto Networks, third-party developers, MSSPs, and their own teams to solve a myriad of security challenges and use cases.
This new model will leverage existing Palo Alto Networks sensors, customer-specific data stores and security infrastructure, enabling organizations to instantly activate cloud-delivered applications from different providers as security needs change and without deploying or managing additional products.
More than 30 security industry vendors have already engaged with Palo Alto Networks to develop applications for the new Palo Alto Networks Application Framework.
Additionally, a venture fund is being established by Palo Alto Networks, which, in collaboration with Greylock Partners and Sequoia Capital, will seek to help finance early stage companies that will develop applications for the framework (see related press release, Palo Alto Networks Announces Formation of Venture Fund to Radically Change Future of Security Innovation).