HPE unveils AI security tools & quantum-ready updates

HPE has introduced a set of security products and software updates for organisations adopting AI, spanning networking security, hybrid cloud protection and recovery tools.

The announcement includes the new HPE Juniper Networking SRX400 Series firewall range, additional controls for HPE's hybrid mesh firewall, updates to HPE Zerto Software and StoreOnce, confidential computing in HPE Morpheus Software, and post-quantum cryptography work across parts of the portfolio.

The move addresses a growing challenge as businesses deploy AI tools beyond central data centres and into branch offices, campuses, clinics and shops. That shift has increased the number of sites where staff may use unmanaged AI services, where policy can vary by location, and where weaker edge controls may expose data.

The SRX400 series is designed for smaller, space-constrained sites, extending security controls from core networks to remote locations. The hardware includes protections intended to guard against tampering and establish device integrity, while giving organisations a more standardised security posture across distributed estates.

That edge focus reflects a broader industry concern that branch and remote sites can become vulnerable as AI use spreads. By linking firewalls at these locations more closely to central policy, HPE aims to reduce gaps between headquarters infrastructure and operational sites.

AI controls

Another part of the launch focuses on governance for AI applications. HPE said more than half of organisations are already using AI internally, increasing the need to give staff access to new tools without risking unwanted sharing of sensitive data.

The updated hybrid mesh firewall adds visibility and access management for AI websites and applications, allowing security teams to monitor usage and block unauthorised or high-risk services. It also introduces prompt-level inspection to filter keywords and manage file uploads to external AI tools, along with centralised identity-based protection so policies follow users and workloads across physical, virtual and containerised environments.

Security Director, HPE's management platform, now includes more automated security workflows and expanded chatbot assistance for configuration guidance and operational support. HPE described those features as part of an AI-native approach to security operations.

"Across Australia and New Zealand, organisations are rapidly embracing AI, but the complexity and sophistication of today's cyber threats are making security and resilience more critical than ever," said Andrew Fox, Country Manager at HPE Networking, Australia and New Zealand.

"At HPE, we are helping businesses embed robust security and governance across every layer of their infrastructure, from edge to cloud, so they can scale AI with confidence. With our recent acquisition of Juniper, we've been able to leverage our integrated capabilities, enabling organisations to manage risk effectively while driving innovation and unlocking the full potential of AI in a secure, trusted way," Fox said.

Recovery focus

Alongside preventive security measures, HPE is adding resilience and recovery functions for customers dealing with ransomware, malware and service outages. Updates to HPE Zerto Software include broader support for virtualised and cloud workloads, new recovery runbooks, and support for AI-related workloads including vGPU environments.

Integration with Microsoft Defender and direct access to immutable HPE StoreOnce data for malware scanning and cyber forensics are intended to help organisations restore systems to known clean states more quickly. Those additions place recovery planning alongside perimeter and application controls in HPE's broader security strategy.

The software changes also extend to confidential computing in HPE Morpheus Software. HPE said the offering uses trusted execution environments from AMD and Intel, with centralised key management from Thales CipherTrust, to keep data encrypted while in use. The company positions the feature for organisations handling sensitive workloads and those with sovereignty or regulatory requirements, including in hybrid and air-gapped environments.

Quantum preparations

HPE is also preparing for the long-term encryption risks posed by quantum computing. Junos OS Evolved now includes post-quantum cryptography-ready functions, with broader support planned for Junos later.

According to HPE, the work aligns with National Institute of Standards and Technology standards and includes upgraded cryptographic libraries, software signing based on FIPS 204, and Quantum Buffer for SSH. The company said the move builds on post-quantum readiness elsewhere in its portfolio, including HPE ProLiant Compute Gen12 servers with HPE Integrated Lights-Out 7.

The launch also expands HPE Threat Labs, the company's threat intelligence group. HPE is adding networking telemetry and expertise to improve real-time threat insight and help customers identify emerging risks faster across distributed environments.

David Hughes, SVP & GM, SASE and Security for Networking at HPE, said organisations need closer integration between networking and security as AI deployments spread.

"In the AI era, security can no longer be bolted on or managed in isolation. As AI workloads scale across distributed sites, networking and security must be deeply integrated to reduce risk, enhance visibility, and deliver the trust enterprises require," Hughes said.

"HPE helps customers standardise policy and consistently enforce it across distributed environments so they can adopt AI with confidence while preserving performance, resiliency, manageability, and control," he added.

HPE said the SRX400 series firewalls and the new AI governance functions for the hybrid mesh firewall are due in Q2 2026, while StoreOnce OS 5.2 is available now.