Kyndryl and Dell Technologies have expanded a global alliance to offer infrastructure management services and a cyber resilience solution to safeguard end-customer data, the two technology giants disclosed.
Kyndryl spun off from IBM in November 2021 to become an independent enterprise MSP (managed infrastructure service provider). Once free from IBM's competitive restrictions, Kyndryl quickly inked partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Nokia and other major players worldwide.
Kyndryl, Dell: Cyber Incident Recovery Strategy
In the latest move, Kyndryl is now a Dell Titanium Black Global Partner. On a related note, Kyndryl now provides Cyber Incident Recovery solutions that leverage Dell's storage, servers, and data protection systems. The approach uses an “air-gapped” data vault from Dell, whereby one copy of the data is offline and cannot be accessed, to help customers ensure integrity and availability of data sets in the event of a cyber incident, Kyndryl indicated.
Still, Kyndryl did not mention how the Cyber Incident Recovery solutions will be packaged as managed security services. In a prepared statement about the relationship, Kris Lovejoy, Kyndryl's global security and resiliency practice leader, said:
“We’re excited to expand our relationship with Dell and look forward to delivering solutions, services and support that customers need to store and protect their data and recover from cyber threats. Through this important alliance, we will work together to help companies improve performance and availability of critical data, predictive maintenance, non-disruptive upgrades and refreshes.”
Kyndryl: MSP Expanding Into Multi-Cloud Cybersecurity Services
Admittedly, Kyndryl continues to shrink while the MSP, MSSP and cloud managed services markets grow. But Kyndryl has pieced together a longer-term MSP growth plan that leans heavily on hyperscalers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud); transforms its service delivery capabilities; and fixes elements of its business that generate substandard margins.
As an independent company, Kyndryl is now seeking to drive growth across six managed services markets. They include:
- Cloud
- Applications, Data & AI
- Security & Resiliency
- Core Enterprise & zCloud
- Network & Edge
- Digital Workplace
Kyndryl: MSP and Cybersecurity Competition Looms
Still, Kyndryl will likely wind up competing against IBM’s own consulting business in the managed cloud services provider market. Indeed, IBM has been busy acquiring cloud cloud consulting companies worldwide. Moreover, Kyndryl could potentially compete against the IBM Security business, which ranks among the world’s Top 250 MSSPs, according to MSSP Alert research.
And of course, Kyndryl will face intense competition from global systems integrators such as Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Deloittte, and other firms that already have growing cloud MSP business practices.
Still, the Kyndryl-Dell relationship reinforces the MSP's rapid move into additional cyber and data protection markets.
