Lumen announced a new security service that integrates its Black Lotus Labs threat intelligence into AWS Network Firewall, making it the first managed rules offering to deliver real‑time, backbone‑powered threat data directly to customers' firewalls.
The new Defender Managed Rules package pulls data from more than 200 billion NetFlow sessions processed daily by Black Lotus Labs, allowing Lumen to identify malicious infrastructure upstream and block botnets, malware, and nation‑state activity before it reaches customer environments. By shipping the intelligence through the AWS Marketplace, Lumen positions itself as a trusted partner for AI‑driven workloads and expands its cloud‑native security portfolio.
Lumen’s Q3 2025 financial results provide context for the launch. Revenue fell 4.2 % to $3.087 billion, a beat of $47 million versus the $3.040 billion consensus, driven by a modest 1.5 % increase in the Business segment and a 2 % rise in the Mass Market segment, offset by a 5 % decline in legacy voice services. Adjusted EBITDA slipped to $787 million, a margin of 25.5 % versus 27.9 % a year earlier, as inflationary cost pressures and revenue erosion weighed on profitability. Net loss widened to $621 million from $148 million, reflecting higher operating expenses and a one‑time restructuring charge.
CEO Kate Johnson said the company’s balance sheet is becoming a strength, noting that debt is no longer a headwind. Vice‑President Martin Nystrom highlighted the advantage of Lumen’s global network, explaining that the upstream view of malicious infrastructure gives customers a proactive defense that competitors lack.
Investors reacted to the earnings by focusing on the revenue decline and guidance uncertainty, even as the company beat EPS expectations by $0.07 per share. The market’s concern about future growth prospects underscores the importance of the new product launch as a potential catalyst for higher‑margin cloud services.
The Defender Managed Rules launch aligns with Lumen’s broader strategy to become the “trusted network for AI.” By leveraging its extensive network visibility, Lumen can differentiate its security offerings in a crowded marketplace that includes Check Point, Fortinet, and Rapid7. The move signals a shift toward higher‑margin, subscription‑based services that can offset legacy revenue erosion and support the company’s long‑term transformation.
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