SonicWall Launches Managed Security Services Program

SonicWall this week launched a managed security services provider (MSSP) program that aims to attract both existing MSSPs and help traditional resellers of cybersecurity hardware and software to expand the scope of cybersecurity services they offer.

SecureFirst MSSP Partners will be provided as to “blueprints” that provide the training, tools, and support required to deliver a range of managed service offerings based on SonicWall solutions, says Steve Pataky, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for SonicWall.

SonicWall also expects to be working jointly with MSSP partners to define and deliver custom services, says Pataky.

The new program is available to SonicWall silver, gold or platinum partners and includes options for monthly billing enabled by a security-as-a-service pricing model, a multi-tenant platform and go-to-market branding opportunities. SonicWall will also make available SonicWall Capture Labs threat intelligence data to enable MSSPs to proactively put controls in place to mitigate new and emerging threats.

This latest initiative comes on the heels of a professional services program that SonicWall launched to drive more IT security consulting experience into the channel.

While demand for managed security services is growing at a rapid clip, Pataky warns many solution providers may not be cut out to an MSSP; especially when customers have issues in the middle of the night.

“They need to make an emotional and moral commitment,” says Pataky.

Pataky adds it takes considerable financial resources to stand up, maintain and continually update a managed security platform. In addition, hiring and retaining security personnel is a major challenge given the demand for a pool of limited expertise. In fact, because of those issues, many solution providers wind up reselling managed security services provided by another partner.

There will never be such a thing as perfect security. End users are now regularly tricked into downloading malware in a way that bypasses perimeter defenses. But most IT security technologies do wind up being effective to one degree or another. It’s more a matter of making the right combination of those technologies available as a service that differentiates successful MSSPs from those that find themselves in way over their heads.