Managed services News
Cytracom Execs On ‘Blazing A Trail’ For MSPs To Manage Security
CJ Fairfield
‘We’ve shifted networks and the identity-based model and what we want to do is create better integrations, tighter integrations, to the identity providers and identity tools that MSPs are using today,’ says Cytracom CEO Zane Conkle. ‘We’re blazing a trail as it relates to capabilities and value that we’re adding and enabling MSPs to extend to their customers.’
Zane, you said in a press release that 2023 is the year of the MSP. What do you mean by that?
Conkle: We really believe that 2023, where we stand right now, is just an amazing time for MSPs. There’s been fundamental shifts in the market with the way people work. The needs of businesses has radically shifted and I believe MSPs are in a prime position today to capture that opportunity. If you think about MSPs, we’ve gone from break/fix to manage services where you have an all-you-can-eat consumption model, but you’re still focused on the same things. We’re still managing computers, printers, laptops, etc. It’s now moving to a world where we’ve gone from break/fix to managed services to manage security. Small businesses are looking to MSPs to not only keep their networks running but also help them manage risks. A lot of that is driven by the shift to remote and hybrid work. The attack surface is much bigger than it has historically been, so we see a huge opportunity for MSPs that see this opportunity, realize it and want to go capture it.
Do you think a lot of MSPs will be shifting to become a MSSP?
Conkle: I don’t know that they’ll necessarily shift to being a MSSP. Some may make that transition but I think regardless of whatever you call it, we’ll see where it all washes out. I think the amount of security-related services that a MSP has to offer will only increase, and the expectation from the customer. It doesn’t matter what vertical or what industry you’re in, you typically fall under some compliance requirements, and business owners are becoming much savvier. Business owners are becoming much more aware of the threat landscape. They’re now more than ever turning to their MSPs to help them solve that problem, understand their risk and understand their exposure. It’s a great opportunity for MSPs to continue to expand and grow what they offer and the value they offer their customers.
