Over the years, Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have been constructing cybersecurity defenses for their business clients by assembling a variety of individual security applications from different vendors. This approach aimed to create robust defenses against cyberattacks.
However, there is a shift in this trend as more cybersecurity vendors are now focusing on simplifying and enhancing their outward-facing defense products. They are creating and offering integrated, all-in-one cybersecurity platforms, pre-assembled to strengthen the security posture of businesses worldwide.
For MSPs and MSSPs, adopting this platform approach offers several benefits. They can now collaborate with a single vendor instead of managing products from multiple vendors and assembling them to meet the unique requirements of their business clients. Additionally, this approach facilitates tighter integration of products and services, providing MSPs and MSSPs with additional offerings to sell to their clients, potentially increasing revenue without acquiring new customers.
Jay McBain, Chief Analyst of Channels, Partnerships, and Ecosystems at Canalys, believes that the platform approach is the future for MSSPs and MSPs. McBain notes that the cybersecurity industry is transitioning from numerous disparate toolmakers to a few comprehensive platforms. These platforms will lead the industry forward into zero trust and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) models, streamlining cybersecurity management and improving effectiveness.
Many IT security vendors are already adapting their product lines to offer all-in-one cybersecurity platform offerings. For instance, SonicWall launched its SonicPlatform at the RSA security conference, integrating various cybersecurity applications into a single interface to simplify management for MSPs and MSSPs.
Similarly, SentinelOne has expanded its offerings into a unified platform that includes endpoint protection, Extended Detection and Response (XDR), and threat intelligence. Other vendors such as Stellar Cyber, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, and Cisco have also developed integrated platforms to consolidate their individual applications and services.
Michael Crean, Vice President of Managed Security Services at SonicWall, sees this transformation firsthand. He notes that MSPs and MSSPs are increasingly seeking platform accessibility and cybersecurity service integrations to simplify operations and reduce vendor sprawl. This shift towards integrated platforms is actively taking place in the SMB space, driven by the need for efficiency and effectiveness in managing cybersecurity defenses.
Overall, the move towards all-in-one cybersecurity platforms represents a significant transformation in the cybersecurity landscape, enabling MSPs and MSSPs to deliver comprehensive security solutions more efficiently and effectively.
Source: msspalert.com
