Today Channel Program is releasing its second annual Channel Technology Map, an interactive visualization of industry vendors and accompanying report based on the company’s vendor-neutral anonymized data about vendors, tools, and technology, and how they are all used by service provider partners. Why is that important? The heart of any service provider business is its technology stack, and organizations spend time and great care on selection of technologies and vendors. Gaining insight into how your peers use technology can inform your own decisions, too.
Another tool to help MSSPs with key business decisions is under development here at MSSP Alert. Your pricing impacts revenue and profit. Find out how your pricing stacks up against competitors by participating in our first annual MSSP Benchmark Pricing Survey. Your data remains anonymous. You can find out more and participate here.
We’ll be previewing some of our anonymized results so far at MSSP Alert Live in Austin, Oct 14-16, our annual in-person event. I hope you’ll join me there for education, networking, and a big party to celebrate the MSSP 250. If you are an MSSP and/or MSP, I can get you a special rate to attend. Get in touch with me at [email protected] and I will hook you up.
And as always, please send your news, tips and insights to me at [email protected].
Today’s MSSP Market Update
1. CISO promotion - Blue Mantis, a provider of digital strategy and services specializing in managed services, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions has promoted Jay Martin to Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). He previously served as VP of Security. Martin will continue to lead the firm’s highly-regarded and fast-growing Security Practice, reporting to Chief Operating Officer Jay Pasteris, Blue Mantis’ former CISO and CIO. Why does it matter? Cybersecurity continues to grow in importance across all service providers.
2. Channel technology map - Channel Program is releasing its 2024 Channel Technology Map today. It’s a comprehensive and interactive resource designed to simplify the rapidly growing technology landscape. This year’s map also includes a report that draws on anonymized data from Channel Program’s tools for streamlining technology discovery, stack management, and subscription spending. Why does it matter? Vendor management is an important component of any service provider business and these visualizations provide a look at peer choices and trends in your markets.
3. Security and AI in software development - Nearly all developers – 90% -- said they are using AI assistants in some capacity for software development. That’s according to a new report on the state of SecDevOps from Black Duck Software previously known as Synopsys Software Integrity Group. Why does it matter? Secure By Design is a huge initiative by CISA and is intended to ensure security is built into software. It's unclear how AI will impact that security.
4. Copilot for Security get certified - Microsoft Copilot for Security has achieved HITRUST certification, which is based on the Common Security Framework. The company says this certification offers several benefits to users including assured compliance, risk mitigation and streamlined audits. Why does it matter? Following frameworks and certifications add assurance that tools provide a certain known level of protection.
5. CrowdStrike market expansion - CrowdStrike has expanded its marketplace to 260-plus listings from 140 partners including AWS, Cloudflare, Cohesity, Google Cloud, Nvidia, Rubrik, and Zscaler. Last week the company added a handful of solution providers, too, including CDW, GuidePoint Security, Optiv, and World Wide Technology. Why does it matter? CrowdStrike introduced its MSSP partner program a year ago, but it's unclear how much momentum the company has in this market. We reached out a few weeks ago to find out about partner numbers for MSSPs and are waiting to hear back.
6. Browser protection expansion for SASE - Aryaka is expanding its unified SASE as a Service offering. Updates including the launch of Aryaka’s Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and a partnership with Menlo Security to introduce Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) capabilities to Aryaka’s SASE service.
7. Sophos intros new firewall hardware - Sophos is rolling out nine new XGS Series desktop firewall appliances designed to deliver advanced, automatic threat protection to small and mid-sized businesses. The Sophos Firewall v21 software also launching today. Improvements include speed and authentication optimizations, reduced noise and energy use, and streamlined device management.
8. Juniper adds AI to firewalls - Juniper Networks is launching an AI-Native security solution, which combines Juniper Mist’s AI-Native and cloud-native network operations with management of Juniper SRX firewalls. The company said this will enhance security posture, streamline operations and improve collaboration.
Looking for more news and a list of industry events? Check out the daily news column on our affiliate site ChannelE2E here.
