Gartner Magic Quadrant: Endpoint Protection Platforms, Cybersecurity Tools 2017

by Joe Panettieri • May 31, 2017

Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (2017) plots 22 cybersecurity companies. But how many of the those companies actually have dedicated partner programs for MSPs and full-blown MSSPs? We went looking for answers — along with links and factoids about each company’s MSSP offerings.

First, some definitions. According to Gartner, Endpoint Protection Platforms provide

“security capabilities to protect workstations, smartphones and tablets. Security and risk management leaders of endpoint protection should investigate malware detection effectiveness, performance impact on the host machines and administrative overhead.”

An enterprise endpoint protection platform (EPP), according to Gartner, is an integrated solution that includes: Anti-malware, personal firewall, port and device control. EPP solutions will also often include vulnerability assessment, application control, application sandboxing, enterprise mobility management (EMM), memory protection, endpoint detection and response (EDR) technology, data protection such as full disk and file encryption, and endpoint data loss prevention (DLP), Gartner asserts. By 2019, Gartner expects the EPP and EDR markets to more fully converge.

For its 2017 report, Gartner examined 22 companies and placed them into one of four quadrants:

• Niche Players
• Challengers
• Visionaries
• Leaders.

For the sake of our editorial content, we’ve sorted each company alphabetically in their associated Quadrant. In the ‘MSSP Solutions’ area, MSSP Alert has added our personal views on each company’s partner programs.

Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms: Niche Players

Here are the companies that Gartner mentioned for the niche player quadrant. Commentary is MSSP Alert’s.

• 360 Enterprise Security Group: 360 Enterprise Security Group, established in 2015, belongs to the world’s largest Internet security company Qihoo 360, and is an integrated group that provide new-generation security products and security services for the government and enterprises. MSSP Solutions: Not that we’re familiar with.
• Ahnlab: Founded in 1995, Ahnlab is a security company in South Korea. The company sells antivirus software, online security and network security appliances. MSSP Solutions: Ahnlab itself is an MSSP. The company provides a range of managed security services.
• Bitdefender: The security company is well-known within channel partner circles and has a growing base of MSPs. MSSP Solutions: BitDefender’s cloud-managed security solutions have integrations with ConnectWise, Kaseya, and SolarWinds MSP, among others.
• Comodo: Comodo claims to be the world’s largest certificate authority. The company authenticates, validates and secures networks and infrastructures from individuals to mid-sized companies to the world’s largest enterprises. Comodo is headquartered in Clifton, New Jersey. MSSP Solutions: The company focuses mostly on resellers and web hosts, though there were signs of MSP progress in 2015.
• Eset: With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s products are designed for consumers and businesses. MSSP Solutions. Eset has a well-established MSP partner program.
• F-Secure: The company claims to shield enterprises and consumers against everything from advanced cyber attacks and data breaches to widespread ransomware infections. MSSP Solutions: Actually, F-Secure focuses mostly on resellers, retailers and operators. But in a way, the company’s 200+ operators are MSSPs. The company announced an MSP partner program back in 2014 but we haven’t heard much about the MSP emphasis since that time.
• G Data Software: The German software company, founded in 1985, focuses on computer security solutions — including antivirus software. MSSP Solutions: G Data launched a partner program in the U.S. in 2011, but we haven’t heard about any major MSP moves since that time.

• Malwarebytes: As of mid-2017, more than 10,000 businesses worldwide leverage Malwarebytes. Founded in 2008, the company is headquartered in California, with offices in Europe and Asia. MSSP Solutions: Malwarebytes has a well-established partner program. The company also has relationships with ConnectWise and Kaseya, though Malwarebytes itself could do more to emphasize its MSP strategy.
• Panda Security: The anti-virus provider works with web affiliates, resellers and strategic alliance partners. MSSP Solutions: For the MSP angle, take a look at the company’s Strategic Partner Program — where most ISPs, MSPs and consulting firms work with the company.
• Webroot: Gartner may consider Webroot a niche player, but MSPs certainly do not. MSSP Solutions: Poke around the SMB sector, and you’ll find thousands of MSPs promoting Webroot to their end-customers. Plus, Webroot has integrations with most of the major MSP software companies. The big question is whether Webroot will move upstream to aggressively engage larger service providers.

Bottom Line for Niche Players: Of the 10 technology companies in Gartner’s niche category, Webroot potentially has the longest, most effective track record with MSPs.

Continue to page 2 of 3 for the Challengers and Visionary Quadrants.