Are you an MSP news junkie? Well, scroll on down to peruse this week’s industry happenings!
Ingram Micro Announces 800+ Layoffs
Roughly 850 positions are slated to be cut by the end of Q1 2025.
Key points from the news story:
- Commitment to Workforce Support: The company promises support for the 850 employees affected by restructuring, aligning with its standard practices.
- Strong IT Channel Presence: With $47.7 billion in annual revenue, Ingram Micro connects 90% of the global population through its extensive distribution network and AI-driven Xvantage platform.
- Financial and Growth Outlook: Despite challenges like low gross profit margins (7.3%), the company is positioned for sustainable growth, supported by analyst optimism around its Xvantage platform and higher-value product focus.
NEW DARKTRACE REPORT: Black Friday Triggers More Than 600% Rise in Attempted Retail Cyber Scams
Darktrace research shows a surge in retail cyber attacks at the opening of the 2024 holiday shopping season.
Key defensive steps from the report:
- Secure Logins: Enforce strong passwords (12-16 characters) and MFA across all client systems for added security.
- Enable DMARC: Set up DMARC for clients to prevent email spoofing and protect their brand reputation.
- Train Staff Regularly: Provide regular security training to help client teams spot and report scams effectively.
- Monitor Brand Activity: Use alerts and brand protection tools to detect and shut down fraudulent websites impersonating clients.
- Restrict Payment Access: Set tiered access controls for finance roles with strict authentication to protect sensitive transactions.
Fortinet Releases Report on Holiday Cyberthreats and Introduces New Unified Platform
Study reveals advanced tactics attackers have developed to exploit this year’s shopping frenzy. Plus, FortiAppSec Cloud consolidates key web application capabilities into a single offering, providing cutting-edge protection, seamless delivery, and centralized management.
- NEW REPORT: Fortinet Releases Advanced Cyberthreats Targeting Holiday Shoppers. Key points from the research:
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- Holiday Cyberthreats: Phishing kits and spam services will be prevalent this holiday season, deceiving shoppers with fake offers and promotions.
- AI & Tools: Threat actors will use AI models and prompt engineering to craft highly convincing phishing emails, mimicking legitimate organizations.
- Fake Domains: Thousands of holiday-themed domains mimic well-known brands like Amazon, BestBuy, and Walmart, luring shoppers with keywords like “offer,” “deals,” and “discount.”
- Fortinet Elevates Web Application Security and Performance with New Unified Platform. Key benefits from the press release:
- Unified Platform: FortiAppSec Cloud integrates web application security and performance tools, streamlining management and reducing complexity for hybrid and multicloud environments.
- Advanced Security Features: Includes AI-driven bot defense, global server load balancing, and real-time threat analytics to protect against sophisticated attacks and enhance application performance.
- Improved Efficiency: A single-dashboard approach simplifies operations, reduces manual tasks for security teams, and enhances visibility.
Commvault Unveils Clumio Backtrack: Providing Near Instant Recovery of Massive Datasets Stored in Amazon S3
New capability will enable the use of automation to rapidly revert objects — pieces of data — stored in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) to a specific version at a specific point and time.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Fast, Scalable Recovery: Quickly restores entire S3 buckets or specific objects using serverless architecture.
- Stronger Cyber Resilience: Rapidly returns data to the last good state after attacks or errors.
- Lower Costs: Reduces AWS expenses by automating snapshot and replica management.
Keeper Security Joins Sherweb and Unveils Risk Management Dashboard
Sherweb’s platform will now offer KeeperMSP, a purpose-built solution to provide password security and zero-knowledge encryption. Also, new risk management dashboard offers administrators visibility into organizational security practices and compliance posture, supported by dynamic benchmarks and real-time risk assessments.
- Keeper Security and Sherweb Forge Partnership to Strengthen Cybersecurity Solutions for MSPs. Key benefits from the press release:
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- Streamlined Access: MSPs can now offer Keeper’s password and cybersecurity solutions via Sherweb’s marketplace.
- Advanced Security Features: Tools like zero-knowledge encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure password sharing protect against phishing and credential theft.
- Scalable and Easy to Deploy: KeeperMSP integrates with any cloud or security stack, simplifying protection for SMB clients.
- Keeper Introduces Risk Management Dashboard for Enhanced Risk Visibility and Proactive Threat Mitigation. Key benefits from the MSP news:
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- Enhanced Visibility: Provides MSPs with broad visibility into their clients’ security practices and compliance posture, allowing proactive threat mitigation.
- Actionable Insights: Offers dynamic benchmarks and real-time risk assessments, giving MSPs clear, actionable steps to improve security and close gaps.
- Integrated Threat Analysis: Integration with the Advanced Reporting and Alerts Module delivers critical security alerts and user activity insights, enabling MSPs to address vulnerabilities effectively.
New Universal Laptop Locks from StarTech.com Simplify Device Security Deployment and Management
Leading manufacturer of performance connectivity accessories for IT Professionals, announces the launch of its new line of products.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Universal Compatibility: Supports standard, Nano, and Wedge lock slots, ensuring versatility across various devices.
- Deployment Ready: Master Key/One Key and serialized combination options allow IT managers to protect valuable assets and simplify deployments without the worry of misplaced keys or forgotten combinations.
- Durable Construction: Built for strength with a cut-resistant carbon steel cable and durable die cast zinc-alloy lock body. Rated for up to 350 pounds/158 kilograms of pull force (*pull force values may vary may if the slots do not comply with design standards specified by respective manufacturers).
- Thoughtful Design: A protective spacer prevents laptop damage. Thin profile lock with a 90-degree elbow and 360-degree swivel eliminates strain on ultra-slim devices.
N2WS Releases Enhancements for Backup and Disaster Recovery Tool
These updates empower MSPs to address the growing threats of ransomware and other malicious attacks while cutting operational costs and streamlining cross-cloud and multi-cloud data management.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Massive Savings: Up to 500% savings on Azure VM backups with per-VM pricing and expanded multi-cloud storage options, including Wasabi and S3-compatible storage.
- Faster Restores: Advanced snapshot technology enables rapid recovery from any repository, ensuring flexibility and eliminating vendor lock-in.
- Enhanced Recovery Reliability: Targeted retry functionality for failed backups boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and ensures successful recovery in planned failover scenarios.
Upytcs and Checkmarx Partner to Extend Security and Visibility to the Entire Application Lifecycle
Joint endeavor to deliver premier end-to-end security for the application stack.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Enhanced Vulnerability Focus: Uptycs’ eBPF runtime insights and exposed asset data highlight critical vulnerabilities in real time.
- Better Threat Detection & Response: Uptycs’ runtime insights paired with SAST data from Checkmarx One provide SOC teams deeper threat visibility.
- Code-to-cloud Security Coverage: Checkmarx matches Uptycs inventory of runtime container images with the related source code repositories in order to provide comprehensive and actionable code-to-cloud security coverage.
- Comprehensive Risk Context: The integration offers a fuller view of security risks, aiding informed mitigation decisions.
Veeam Launches New Enterprise Capabilities in Veeam Data Platform v12.3, Including Microsoft Entra ID Protection
Latest Veeam release delivers new cyber resilience tools, improved reporting powered by Generative AI, complete Nutanix AHV protection, and access to Veeam Data Cloud Vault v2.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Advanced Cyber Resilience Tools: New capabilities like Recon Scanner, IoC Tools Scanner, and Veeam Threat Hunter help MSPs proactively identify and mitigate cyber threats, enhancing client security.
- Comprehensive Data Protection: Support for Microsoft Entra ID and Nutanix AHV ensures MSPs can offer thorough protection for both identity management and hypervisor environments, expanding their data protection offerings.
- Intelligent Reporting with AI: Generative AI-powered insights help MSPs improve operational efficiency, optimize backups, and make informed decisions quickly, reducing strain on IT resources.
AVOXI is First to Deliver International Cloud Voice with Guaranteed Local Caller ID and Instant Callback in 100+ Countries
TrueLocal doubles enterprise outbound sales and service call answer rates, drastically improving contact center operations, security and customer experience.
Key benefits from the press release:
- Guaranteed Local Caller ID: Provides MSPs the ability to ensure local caller ID in over 100 countries, boosting answer rates and fostering trust with clients’ customers.
- Two-way International Calling: Enables instant callback features, enhancing client customer service operations and ensuring quicker issue resolution, leading to better customer experience.
- Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with existing contact center solutions, allowing MSPs to offer feature-rich, compliant, and reliable voice technology without additional complexity
PerfTech Expands Channel Marketing and Distribution of Island Router Line
PerfTech significantly expands nationwide sales coverage of Island wired routers. Nearly doubles its network of marketing rep firms and distributors to meet growing demand from MSP integrators.
Key benefits from the MSP news announcement:
- Increased Sales Coverage: PerfTech has nearly doubled its network of marketing representatives and distributors. This enhances accessibility and availability of Island routers across the country.
- New Partnerships: Includes new rep firms like New Era Marketing and new distributors like CEP Distributing and Blackwire Designs.
- Channel Member Excitement: Driven by Island’s high performance and feature-rich app, is fueling adoption among integrators seeking networking solutions for efficiency and reliability.
Tigera Enhances Calico with Major Network and Runtime Security Updates
New features extend Calico network security to virtual machines and hosts. Helps operators tune and customize runtime security, and simplify the management of network security.
Key highlights from the press release:
- Policy Tiers and Support for AdminNetwork and BaselineNetwork Policies: Supports new Kubernetes policies and Calico policy tiers that provide granular control over policy precedence. That ensures predictable, consistent enforcement and enabling better collaboration between teams.
- Extend Calico Network Security Beyond Kubernetes to VMs and Hosts: Protect VMs and hosts running outside of a Kubernetes cluster. Significantly expanding the scope of how users can leverage Calico to secure application workloads.
- Native Support for nftables: Ensures that Kubernetes users can smoothly transition from iptables to nftables while maintaining performance and compatibility.
- New Sidecar Deployment for Envoy in Calico: Greater levels of compatibility with Kubernetes platforms such as GKE, AKS, EKS.
OpenText Partners with Secure Code Warrior to Deliver Comprehensive Application Security and Customized Developer Risk Management
The new agreement empowers development teams with continuous upskilling to turn security into a strategic advantage, reduce risks, and elevate customer trust.
Key highlights from the press release:
- Targeted Developer Training: Secure Code Warrior transforms Fortify’s SAST findings into tailored, agile secure code training, equipping developers with the skills needed to identify and fix vulnerabilities efficiently.
- Faster Remediation: The combination of Fortify’s insights and AppSec capabilities with Secure Code Warrior’s guidance simplifies code analysis so developers can quickly understand and fix vulnerabilities, whether in application code or APIs.
- Enhanced Developer Skills: Secure Code Warrior integration provides real-time, hands-on training, empowering developers to write secure code from the start.
- Reduced Risk: Continuous learning and immediate feedback help minimize security risks by preventing vulnerabilities in the development phase. Integrated secure coding training reduces vulnerabilities by up to 50%.
Bitdefender Enhances its Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Capabilities for Protecting Business Data in the Cloud
New XDR sensor addresses critical cybersecurity challenges of monitoring, detecting, and responding to security events from cloud-based productivity and collaboration applications.
Key highlights from the press release:
- Increased Cloud Visibility: Enhanced monitoring of Atlassian cloud applications to better detect and respond to threats.
- Robust SaaS Protection: Strengthened security for popular SaaS platforms, protecting critical client data from evolving threats.
- Automated Response: Streamlined incident detection and automated threat response to improve efficiency and reduce operational burden.
CompTIA Analysis Finds Little Change in Tech Job Market, AI Hiring Increasing Rapidly
Tech occupation unemployment rate inches down to 2.5%
Key highlights from the tech jobs report:
- Employment within the technology industry sector was essentially flat with a decline of 1,636 jobs for the month. The tech sector employs nearly 5.6 million people, which translates to a percentage decline of essentially 0%.
- Tech professions throughout the economy declined by 6,000 in a national workforce of nearly 6.5 million workers.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) hiring momentum continues to build. In the aggregate employers recorded nearly 331,000 active job postings throughout 2024 in recruiting for AI job roles and AI skills, a year-over-year increase of 71%..
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