CounterTack Acquires MDR Provider GoSecure; Targets Carbon Black, CrowdStrike -

Predictive endpoint security provider CounterTack has acquired GoSecure, a managed detection and response (MDR) specialist. In some ways, the deal blends a technology vendor and an MSSP. However, CounterTack is assuring MSSPs and partners that it remains committed to channel partner engagements.

CounterTack's services portfolio now spans predictive endpoint security products, multi-vector threat hunting and cybersecurity mitigation services, among other areas of expertise. Moreover, CounterTack claims the deal gives the company a leg up against CrowdStrike and Carbon Black (we've reached out to both of those companies for a potential response).

Meanwhile, GoSecure's technology vendor & partner ecosystem includes BeyondTrust, CheckPoint, Cisco Systems, CyberArk, F5 Networks, Fortinet, IBM, ISACA, McAfee, OWASP, Proofpoint, Radware, RSA, Tenable, Trend Micro and Tufin, according to GoSecure's website.

CounterTack Explains GoSecure Acquisition

CounterTack says the GoSecure acquisition positions the combined company to generate $70 million in revenues next year.

The deal "expands previous partnership with GoSecure to scale a best-in- class MDR Platform as a Service for the company’s domestic and international customers. The transaction will enhance CounterTack’s solutions for enterprises of all sizes, whether deployed on-premise, hosted, or managed in the cloud."

The deal is designed to serve customers across North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific, including small and mid- sized corporations, the Fortune 50, and national security organizations, CounterTack claims.

In a prepared statement, CounterTack CEO Neal Creighton said:

"CounterTack has been methodical in building technology, acquiring IP, servicing customers and controlling expenses in lock step with market demand with far less capital expended than our main competitors. With GoSecure, we immediately expand our service offerings, add the industry’s best security experts and thought leaders that, together with CounterTack’s products, offer automated, scalable MDR. GoSecure has been a CounterTack partner for years and is fully integrated on our platform to power their services so the combination is a natural progression of our relationship."

Added Pascal Fortin, president and chairman of GoSecure:

"GoSecure has fully integrated CounterTack’s platform into our active mitigation services to create differentiated offerings. CounterTack’s strong platform and GoSecure’s depth of real-world security experience will allow us to bring an unrivaled class of services to address client’s most demanding security requirements. We look forward to joining the CounterTack team and providing unprecedented protection – from rapid identification to active mitigation with aggressive SLAs to organizations of all sizes across the globe."

CounterTack Partner Commitment

At first glance, the GoSecure business could compete with CounterTack's other channel partners -- particularly MSSPs. However, a CounterTack executive downplays the potential for that scenario and insists the company remains committed to partner engagements.

"Most CounterTack MSSP partners offer MDR service," CounterTack Chief Product Officer Raj Dodhiawala told MSSP Alert in an email. "The primary service that GoSecure offers around the CounterTack product is the Advanced Adversary Protection. (AAP) This is a level of service above MDR, with aggressive SLAs, which some of our other partners may leverage from time to time."

Moreover, CounterTack will allow channel partners, such as VARs and resellers, to partner with GoSecure to gain managed security and MDR services. That "absolutely" will happen, Dodhiawala said. "Besides AAP, there are other services like security assessment, pen testing, patch management, vulnerability scanning, etc. that are available today and will be offered to VARs and resellers.

This is the second time this week that an MSSP-focused technology company has moved to acquire a channel partner. The other pending deal involved Qualys negotiating to buy Second Front Systems -- a channel partner and cybersecurity consulting firm in the federal sector.