Channel partners, Content, Endpoint/Device Security, Network Security, Security Operations

Cisco, Perch Ink MSP Security Partnership

Cisco Systems and Perch Security, a company that provides co-managed threat detection and response services, have announced a joint security solution for MSPs.

The Cisco-Perch joint offering combines Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Endpoints and Cisco Umbrella network security capabilities with Perch's security information and event management (SIEM) solution, the companies said. In doing so, the joint offering enables MSPs to correlate security events across endpoints and networks.

In addition, the joint offering includes Perch Security Operations Center (SOC) for alert review and custom alert options, the companies stated. It also features a Perch Duo integration that allows MSPs to leverage Duo Multi-Factor Authentication and provides endpoint visibility with data from Microsoft Office 365 and other Perch-connected cloud services.

A Closer Look at Perch's MSP Partner Strategy

The Cisco-Perch offering has potential upside for both companies and their partner ecosystems.

Perch provides "a software platform that is combined with SOC services on top," CISO Wes Spencer told MSSP Alert in July 2019. It enables MSPs to leverage as many or as few SOC services as they need, Spencer said, and delivers insights into cyber threats and other security issues.

Furthermore, Perch last year secured $9 million in Series A funding led by ConnectWise, with participation from Fishtech Group. Since that time, Perch has "poured every dollar into integrations and feature upgrades" for its software platform and continues to evaluate new security features, Spencer noted.

Cisco Accelerates SMB Partner Strategy

Cisco, meanwhile, has been aligning many of its products and SaaS services for MSP partner and SMB customer consumption. The company has spent two-plus years working with Perch investor ConnectWise, and Cisco is expected to have a major presence at this week's ConnectWise IT Nation Connect 2019 conference, which starts October 30 in Orlando, Florida.

Also, the latest Cisco SMB partner milestones will surface at Cisco Partner Summit 2019 in November. MSSP Alert's sister site, ChannelE2E, will share more details in the days ahead.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.