Barracuda boosts MSP offerings through integration of Content Shield Web Security Solution and Managed Workplace RMM

Barracuda Networks announced that it has integrated Barracuda Content Shield with Managed Workplace, its remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform. Managed service providers (MSPs) using the RMM can now leverage the cloud-based web security solution’s web filtering and malware protection to better protect their customers’ end users from web-borne threats. 

Barracuda Content Shield is a SaaS-based solution available at a per-user pricing model, which makes it easier for MSPs to scale based on demand.

Offering content filtering, malware protection, granular policy enforcement and reporting, Barracuda Content Shield works with existing antivirus (AV) solutions to protect against malicious files, stopping malware before it reaches the endpoint.

This integration helps MSPs enhance their end-user online security service offering with agent-based DNS and URL filtering; help protect their customers’ end-users from web-borne threats; and get at-a-glance visibility into threats prevented across all customers.

Additionally, through the combination of the two tools, MSPs will benefit from a centralized view of the threats detected and quarantined. If threats such as malicious files, domains, or URLs are discovered on any device connected by Barracuda’s threat intelligence network, every user is protected against that threat. 

“A recent survey by Spiceworks found that when companies don’t restrict internet activity, 58 percent of employees will spend at least four hours per week on websites unrelated to their jobs,” said Brian Babineau, senior vice president and general manager, Barracuda MSP. “And earlier this year, a study found that 40 percent of malicious URLs were located on good domains. These and other statistics point to the need for robust, easy-to-manage web content filtering that protects end-users from web-borne threats. Barracuda is answering that call with the integration of Barracuda Content Shield within Managed Workplace, a move that illustrates our commitment to providing our partners with a broad portfolio of security and data protection solutions spanning web, network, and e-mail, and backed by our global threat intelligence.”

Meriplex takes on SD-WAN; boosts network uptime and decreases MPLS-driven costs

Meriplex Communications announced that it has aligned with Dell EMC for a newly launched, SD-WAN solution powered by VMware. This collaborative SD-WAN solution will be desirable to enterprise organizations as it brings Dell EMC capabilities to the market coupled with a MSP partner.

With Meriplex delivered Dell EMC SD-WAN powered by VMware, organizations can increase network uptime and cut MPLS-driven costs, allowing for an effective approach of automation and intelligence to overcome constantly evolving network challenges. 

Organizations will leverage their investment in existing WAN infrastructure while taking advantage of the features and capabilities of SD-WAN. With business security requirements for modern enterprises ever evolving, end-to-end data security is the most valuable infrastructure component for conducting a robust digital business, connecting with customers, and driving business growth. SD-WAN protects organizations through enhanced centralized and next-gen firewall capabilities and the ability to integrate cloud security solutions. 

It also delivers speed to deploy new branch organizations with increasing M&A activity and organic growth, which is required to open and operate new branch locations. SD-WAN eliminates prolonged wait times for circuit installation turnups, and with zero-touch capabilities, technical expertise on site is not necessary, allowing branch locations to start running instantaneously.

As cloud-based applications increase the necessity for high network performance, organizations now expect better reliability, dexterity, and flexibility from their WAN to maximize the cloud's economies of scale. SD-WAN allows this transformational shift from rigid, outdated WAN architecture, to move SaaS applications into cloud environments, enhancing business growth and providing better QoS for end-users.

The DIY SD-WAN takes a copious amount of time away from an IT department's ability to focus on business-critical projects. Many lack the first-hand experience and expertise to configure complex network integrations. With a managed SD-WAN solution, organizations free up their technical resources for higher business priorities and rely on an MSP, like Meriplex, to proactively monitor and manage the network 24/7 with SD-WAN experts.

With Meriplex and Dell EMC, organizations can bundle these benefits for SD-WAN, including integrated cloud security, speedy branch deployment, and connectivity to the cloud, into one cost-effective, turnkey SD-WAN solution. Meriplex offers a unique, co-managed service that allows organizations to operate in tandem with Meriplex to gain complete visibility and control into their solution.

Cisco joins with Perch Security to help MSPs protect, detect and respond to an increasing threat landscape

Cisco partnered with Perch Security to deliver a new security solution for managed service providers (MSPs) who are challenged by an evolving threat landscape. MSPs are on the front lines of protecting their clients against data breaches, malware, ransomware and other attacks for which they are often unprepared. 

To address these threats, Cisco is applying its security expertise and portfolio to MSPs in partnership with Perch to bring them the tools that will strengthen their security posture and better protect both themselves and their clients.

The combined technology solution offers clear benefits for Cisco partners and their customers by correlating events from both the endpoint and network, reducing ticket counts and lowering labor costs. 

Perch has integrated with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints and Cisco Umbrella, ingesting their logs and feeding them into Perch’s security information and event management (SIEM) solution.

Its features include Perch’s Security Operations Center (SOC) that provides event correlation, alert review, and custom alert options; and Perch’s Duo integration correlates Duo Multi-Factor Authentication and endpoint visibility with data from other Perch-connected cloud services, such as Office 365, Cisco Umbrella and Cisco AMP. 

By combining these solutions into a single pane of glass, alerts are correlated and consolidated to reduce tool sprawl. Perch feeds data from cloud services and security products into a single data lake that is monitored by Perch SOC.

This announcement ties into the newly created Cisco Secured MSP offer, which includes a free, internal use license program and gives MSPs the ability to elevate their internal security and protect themselves from attack. This works by using DNS solution from Cisco Umbrella for MSP, next-generation endpoint detection and response with Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) and cloud-based threat detection from Cisco Stealthwatch Cloud. 

The Cisco secured MSP offer brings the best of security to every MSP and the knowledge and training to get it right the first time through the Protect Your House course on ConnectWise MSP University. Cisco helps partners grow managed service revenue with incentives, promotions and market development funds (MDF).