Every tap, swipe, and click on a mobile device can expose users to malware, phishing, ransomware, and more. Consumers and small businesses alike are increasingly aware of the risks, but that doesn’t mean they’re doing something about it.
Why not? Because traditional cybersecurity solutions are often just too complicated, too expensive, or too difficult to manage. For the average mobile user, the journey to getting protected is filled with barriers: technical jargon, complex installation processes, and frequent maintenance reminders. And for small businesses without in-house IT expertise or a dedicated budget, cybersecurity often becomes a lower priority than it should be.
But here’s the kicker: research by Allot shows that mobile subscribers want cybersecurity protection, and they trust their telco providers to deliver it. That’s a huge opportunity for operators to evolve from mere connectivity providers to trusted digital security partners. The key to unlocking that opportunity? Ditch the endpoint app and embrace off-net cybersecurity solutions.
The Trouble with Endpoint Apps
Many telcos have responded to customer demand by partnering with well-known vendors to offer endpoint security apps. On the surface, it makes sense; These are recognizable brands with proven tech. But in practice, this approach doesn’t deliver.
For starters, endpoint apps typically come with a set of challenges for the end user. They need to be downloaded, installed, updated, and maintained. That’s a lot to ask from non-technical users who may already feel overwhelmed. It’s no surprise that adoption rates for telco-offered endpoint apps hover around a dismal 5%.
From the telco’s perspective, it’s not a great deal either. These apps are often branded by third-party vendors, which means the telco loses out on brand equity. And since so few customers actually install and use them, the potential for revenue generation is extremely limited.
What Makes Allot’s Off-Net SDK Security Different?
An off-net security solution, particularly one based on a Software Development Kit (SDK), offers a dramatically better experience for users and telcos alike. Rather than requiring separate downloads and installations, an SDK integrates directly into the telco’s existing service app. That means hassle-free onboarding: users can get protection with just a tap or two, no technical know-how required.
This seamless activation is a game-changer. It removes the primary barriers that have long stood in the way of widespread cybersecurity adoption among consumers and SMBs. And once deployed, these SDK-based solutions work whether the user is connected to the telco’s mobile network or to Wi-Fi at a coffee shop, airport, or friend’s house. In other words, protection goes wherever the user goes.
What sets Allot’s off-net cybersecurity solution apart from others like it is that Allot OffNetSecure is a part of a unified solution that includes Allot NetworkSecure, the network-based cybersecurity component of Allot Secure, and Allot HomeSecure, the router-based solution that protects the home network and all the devices connected to it. The combination of the network- and router-based solutions with OffNetSecure means that subscribers are protected from cyber threats at all times, both on and off the operator’s network, all with a unified customer experience.
A Win-Win for Subscribers and Telcos
For consumers, the benefits of an off-net SDK solution combined with a network-native solution are clear:
- Always-on protection from phishing, malware, ransomware, and adware
- Content filtering to keep children safe from inappropriate content
- No hassle onboarding with no apps to download or update
- Peace of mind knowing their protection is active no matter the network
For small businesses, these solutions offer the added advantage of managing digital workplace environments, filtering inappropriate content, and ensuring compliance—even without IT staff on hand.
For telcos, the opportunity is even greater:
- Brand ownership of the security offering
- Recurring revenue from subscription-based models
- Mass-market scalability through multi-tenant architecture
- Seamless integration with existing network and service infrastructure
- Centralized management of policies, threats, and user activity
From Communications Provider to Digital Safety Partner
Cybersecurity should be as seamless as the connectivity telcos provide. With off-net SDK solutions, it can be. These solutions are built from the ground up to meet the needs of everyday users, making security accessible, automatic, and invisible.
By moving beyond outdated endpoint applications and offering SDK-based security services, telcos position themselves as true digital safety providers. They gain new service revenue, reinforce customer trust, and help their subscribers navigate an increasingly hostile online environment, all without asking them to lift a finger.
For consumers and SMBs who’ve been left in the dark for too long, this isn’t just a better solution. It’s the solution they’ve been waiting for.
Click here for more information about Allot’s off-net SDK for telcos
April 22, 2025 
