Printer and office equipment companies are further expanding their MSP expertise, and stepping deeper into the managed security services provider (MSSP) market. The latest example: Konica Minolta Business Solutions tapped SentinelOne to launch a Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (MEDR) service that protects endpoints against cyberattacks and exploitation, the printer company said.
The cloud-based service can “secure endpoints on organizations’ IT networks by detecting unusual or potentially malicious activity and responding to neutralize any possible threats before they can cause compromise," Konica Minolta asserted. The MEDR solution doesn't require Internet connectivity, making it effective against offline attacks, Konica Minolta said. Moreover, the service includes threat hunting.
Gene Abramov, vice president of security services for Konica Minolta, described the advantages of the MEDR service:
“Many businesses believe they are protected because they have implemented an EDR solution, but without a fully managed service that protects, detects and responds to threats, they are leaving themselves vulnerable to attacks. Leveraging our extensive experience with both offensive and defensive cybersecurity, we invested in our MEDR service and partnered with a leading provider, giving us a competitive edge… to ensure we are providing our customers with the most effective protection against modern threats.”
Printer Companies Become MSPs, Cybersecurity Service Providers
Konica Minolta has worked in and around the MSP market for more than a decade, and the company has also acquired cybersecurity businesses in recent years.
Much of the effort involves All Covered, a Konica business unit that has purchased dozens of MSPs and IT consulting firms. Example purchases include Depth Security and VioPiont. Those deals empowered Konica Minolta and All covered with such services as:
- Network and application penetration testing;
- adversary emulation;
- security reviews; and
- defensive controls testing.
Konica Minolta's printer industry rivals have also made MSP, MSSP and cybersecurity moves. For instance:
- Canon acquired a Microsoft security partner to safeguard Australia and New Zealand customers.
- Kyocera and Avast partnered on managed IT security services, though we don't know how that relationship played out.
- Ricoh acquired MSPs and IT consulting firms across Europe, while also building out a ransomware containment service.
- Xerox has been acquiring MSPs in the SMB sector.
Similarly, M&A among printer resellers, office equipment dealers and MSPs has also seen steady activity.
SentinelOne Engages MSPs, MSSPs
Meanwhile, SentinelOne has built successful partnerships with such MSP- and MSSP-focused software companies as ConnectWise and N-able. In fact, MSSPs now drive more than 20% of SentinelOne’s security revenues, according to President Nicholas Warner.
Still, competition remains intense in the EDR market. Rivals such as CrowdStrike and Sophos, among many others, also have momentum with MSPs and MSSPs.
Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
