Tech Data announced today it has added Carbon Black to its cybersecurity line card to make an endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform available to its channel partners.
Carbon Black, which is in the process of being acquired by VMware, makes use of a Big Data analytics platform infused with machine learning algorithms to identify and quarantine cybersecurity threats. While Tech Data has existing relationships with a variety of anti-virus software, the distributor now sees a need to make an EDR platform available to channel partners, says Alex Ryals, vice president of security solutions for North America at Tech Data.
EDR is being positioned as next generation anti-virus (NGAV) technology to combat cybersecurity threats targeting multiple classes of endpoints. Rather than waiting for a signature to be developed to thwart a specific threat, EDR applies Big Data analytics to both identify threats and isolate endpoints that are exhibiting anomalous behavior.
Carbon Black is a pure play EDR platform, but Tech Data also expects providers of legacy anti-virus software to add EDR capabilities over time.
Tech Data was pursuing a relationship with Carbon Black independently of VMware, which Ryals notes Tech Data also serves as a distributor.
At present, Tech Data has more than 8,000 channel partners that are reselling cybersecurity technologies in collaboration with Tech Data, says Ryals. Most partners today are both reselling software as well as providing managed security services, especially as EDR platforms make it easier for partners to offer a managed security service for endpoints, says Ryals.
“The lines are definitely blurring,” says Ryals.
Interest in EDR is on the rise because cybersecurity attacks involving, for example, ransomware are targeting endpoints. Combatting those threats requires an ability to immediately respond to malware threats that can now encrypt files across an entire organization in a matter of minutes. Channel partners that are unable to help end customers address those types of threats are increasingly finding themselves sidelined as customers shop for solution providers that can not only deploy a solution but also secure it.
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