What AT&T Secure Cloud Interconnect Provides
AT&T Secure Cloud Interconnect (SCI) is a private, managed connectivity service that links a company's on‑premises network directly to major public‑cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud. By bypassing the public internet, SCI delivers dedicated bandwidth, lower latency, and built‑in encryption, giving enterprises a predictable, secure path for mission‑critical workloads.
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Key Technical Features
SCI combines AT&T's extensive MPLS and Ethernet backbone with point‑to‑point virtual circuits that terminate inside the cloud provider's data center. The service includes:
- Dedicated, scalable bandwidth ranging from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps per circuit.
- Layer 2 or Layer 3 connectivity options to match existing network architectures.
- End‑to‑end encryption or optional MACsec for data‑in‑motion security.
- Integrated routing policies that support BGP peering with cloud virtual routers.
- Service‑level agreements (SLAs) for uptime, latency, and packet loss.
Why Enterprises Choose SCI Over Public Internet
Public‑internet links expose traffic to variable congestion, jitter, and security risks. SCI mitigates those issues by offering a controlled environment where latency and jitter are tightly bounded, and where data never traverses shared ISP networks. This translates into faster application response times, reduced risk of data breaches, and compliance alignment for regulations that mandate private data paths.
Use Cases That Leverage SCI
Typical scenarios include:
- Hybrid cloud migrations: Securely move large datasets and workloads to the cloud without disrupting existing services.
- Disaster recovery: Replicate backups to a cloud region over a reliable, low‑latency link.
- Real‑time analytics: Stream sensor or IoT data to cloud analytics platforms with minimal delay.
- Financial services: Meet strict latency requirements for trading applications while keeping data encrypted.
Pricing and Deployment Considerations
Pricing is usage‑based, combining a monthly circuit fee with optional add‑ons for encryption, monitoring, and SLA upgrades. Deployment typically follows a three‑step process: (1) provision the virtual circuit in AT&T's network, (2) configure routing on the enterprise edge device, and (3) establish the cloud‑side connection through the provider's private link portal. Most customers see provisioning completed within 2‑4 weeks, depending on the number of circuits and cloud regions involved.
Comparing SCI to Similar Services
| Provider | Service Name | Typical Bandwidth Options | Encryption Built‑In |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Secure Cloud Interconnect | 1‑10 Gbps | Yes (IPsec/MACsec) |
| Verizon | Secure Cloud Interconnect | 1‑10 Gbps | Optional IPsec |
| Google Cloud | Dedicated Interconnect | 10‑100 Gbps | Yes (Google‑managed) |
| Microsoft | ExpressRoute | 50 Mbps‑10 Gbps | Yes (IPsec optional) |
Best Practices for Maximizing SCI Value
To get the most out of SCI, align your network topology with the cloud provider's routing recommendations, enable BGP communities for traffic engineering, and monitor performance through AT&T's network analytics portal. Pairing SCI with a cloud‑native firewall or zero‑trust framework further hardens the data path.