As more organizations move their IT networks to cloud infrastructures, they are increasingly desirable targets for threat actors. While the need for a strong cloud security strategy remains a critical priority, many security operations teams don’t quite know where to start in order to effectively detect and respond to risks.
A new strategic partnership between MSSP Expel, a managed detection and response (MDR) specialist, and Wiz, a cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) provider, intends to solve this problem. Accordingly, Expel’s cloud detection and response expertise, paired with Wiz’s CNAPP platform, provides customers with deep context into cloud-related security issues and continuously improve the accuracy of threat detection, according to the companies.
“The unique value MSSPs, and ultimately all our end-user customers, receive from this partnership is the coupling of Wiz’s cloud detection capabilities, with the triage, analysis, and holistic threat evaluation of Expel,” a company spokesperson told MSSP Alert.
Cloud Convergence Soars to New Heights
The Expel-Wiz integration follows a growing trend around cloud security convergence — case in point, the recent integration between Skyhigh Security and Trellix. Specifically, the integration involves the Skyhigh Secure Web Gateway (SWG) for Cloud and Trellix Intelligent Virtual Execution (IVX) Cloud. Such integrations allow MSSPs and MSPs to offer an expanded portfolio of solutions to their customers while generating additional revenue and strengthening customer relationships.
The Expel-Wiz partnership makes sense in that Expel already ingests and analyzes a variety of Wiz issue types for evidence of post-exploit behavior, including issues generated via Wiz’s Kubernetes runtime sensor. Additionally, Expel correlates and enriches Wiz issues with context from customers’ environments, providing status updates on the investigations in real time.
A Market Sweet Spot for MSSPs, MSPs
The skills and knowledge gaps in traditional security operations teams, resource and budget constraints, and the fast pace of change that accompanies cloud and digital transformation programs combine to make cloud security a challenge for most organizations. As such, MSSPs and MSPs are uniquely positioned to assist with these challenges, given their focused expertise, scalable operational capabilities and cost efficiencies (compared to in-house strategies).
Now, the Expel-Wiz integration offers a turnkey solution for service providers looking to up-level their cloud security operations competency and gain a competitive advantage in a crowded, noisy market.
Wiz, Expel Explore and Expand Cloud Partnerships
Wiz partners with notable cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure, VMware and Alibaba Cloud. Expel also partners with AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Additionally, Wiz has integrated with CrowdStrike's Falcon platform to provide a unified security solution that combines cloud security with endpoint protection.
Expel is in the early stages of building out its service provider program. As the program matures, the integrated solution from Expel and Wiz will become a core component of the portfolio of MSSP and MSP solutions available to the market.
