While the old adage, “the best offense is a good defense,” is most often applied to sports, it is just as suitable for cybersecurity. Today’s digital landscape is rife with evolving and sophisticated cyber threats, making it more crucial than ever for businesses to set themselves up with robust security measures. That’s why many are turning to managed security services to fortify their defenses and mitigate risks effectively. In fact, managed services as a whole is becoming the most significant route to market for Cisco and its partners, reflecting the shifting paradigm in cybersecurity strategy. Within this dynamic landscape, distribution partners are presented with immense opportunities and tailored solutions to help navigate the complexities of cybersecurity to offer comprehensive protection to their customers. It’s a realm where opportunity knocks loudly, and the first step to seizing it lies in gaining the necessary knowledge and expertise.
In a recent webinar, Molarvie Rom, TD SYNNEX Cisco MSP SBM; James McGregor, TD SYNNEX GTM Strategist, Cisco Security; and Michael Moreno, Cisco Security Service Creation BDM, shared insights into the evolving landscape of managed security services and the market potential within the SMB segment. Moreno, drawing from his extensive experience in cybersecurity spanning two decades, emphasized this market potential, sharing that Cisco is “estimating that this managed services market in SMB will be worth $22 billion by 2027.” Included in this, Moreno pointed out the $9.2 billion opportunity within security. There is ample room for growth and innovation in this space. Specifically, the security service edge (SSE) market, encompassing components like secure web gateway and cloud-delivered firewall, is poised for rapid expansion, with a projected 36 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate).
Cisco’s approach to managed services revolves around providing scalable bundles that address the diverse needs of SMBs. Cisco has consolidated its extensive portfolio of 30 plus security solutions into three comprehensive protection suites: Cisco Breach Protection, User Protection, and Cloud Protection. These suites are designed to address a wide array of security challenges, delivering better experiences for users, IT teams, and DevSecOps.
Moreno stressed the importance of aligning managed services with customer experiences and market needs. Cisco’s MSP Expressway for SMBs offers a catalog of scalable partner-managed service designs, catering to specific customer experiences. These packages, such as Remote SMB, Secure SMB, Hybrid SMB, and Smart SMB, serve as ready-made solutions embedded with security features. Partners can leverage these packages to address specific use cases across various industries, from retail to manufacturing. Moreno explained that the goal is for Cisco to “enable you to go out and have these service offerings that look as if they’re customized. The customer has the impression as though you’ve customized something for them, but really, what you’ve done is you’ve just assembled it from processes that you’ve already proven out, that are scalable, and repeatable and with technologies that are going to enable the business outcomes that the customers are looking for.”
While there may be a plethora of offerings and ways to bundle the offerings, partners are never alone. McGregor emphasized that his team specializes in security and is always available to help partners with anything related to security. “It is designed to be a one-stop shop for anything and everything that you might need with regards to training and enablement, some sales support, pre-sales support, technical support, whatever it may be.” Whether it’s designing scalable service offerings or addressing financial considerations such as cash flow and profitability, Cisco is committed to empowering partners at every step of their journey.
In addition to McGregor’s security team, Rom discussed the vital role of the TD SYNNEX EDGE program in enabling partner success. From understanding subscription models to leveraging buying programs, Cisco and TD SYNNEX are dedicated to providing partners with the necessary support and resources. “You’re all at different stages of your Cisco journey. And it really doesn’t matter if you’re new to Cisco or if you’re a well-seasoned Cisco Partner, we’re here, ready to engage and get a better understanding of what your current capabilities are, what your gaps are, and what your goals are. And then from there, we’ll go ahead and work together and build a roadmap to profitable growth.” Moreover, TD SYNNEX Capital offers financing options, while the professional services team can assist in managing Meraki devices on behalf of partners.
There are immense opportunities available for distribution partners in the realm of managed security services, and the recent webinar underscored the importance of getting involved. By leveraging expertise and resources from both Cisco and TD SYNNEX, partners can navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and offer tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of SMB customers. With a focus on scalability, profitability, and customer experience, Cisco is empowering partners to drive innovation and growth in the managed services market.
Learn more about managed security services by watching the webinar here.
