Helping ‘powerless’ SMB leaders sleep at night in the face of an evolving and intensifying cyber threat landscape is perhaps the biggest MSP opportunity right now, says Ekco VP of Managed Security Services Lee Driver.
Demand for MSP skill sets is hotting up, especially in the security space, observed Driver, who constantly hears the same thing from users – that cybersecurity is becoming so complex they sometimes feel powerless to prevent breaches. “MSPs and MSSPs have always, first and foremost, excelled at keeping this complexity to a minimum, and today’s market needs that service more than ever,” he stated. “The key opportunity for MSPs now is to offer flexibility and choice, either through a broad portfolio of solutions or an all-in-one offering that helps businesses take the first step.”
A fifth of SMBs that experienced attacks last year said it nearly destroyed their business. Ekco is seeking to address this blind spot
According to Driver, MSSPs in particular are well placed in the new landscape, with recent attacks on major UK fashion brands and retailers increasing the urgency for many businesses. “It’s no longer practical to separate cybersecurity from other day-to-day IT operations,” he added. “MSSPs can offer a bird’s-eye view of vulnerabilities across all operations and deal with threats in real time as they arise, regardless of the form they take. Keep things simple and safe for your users, and they’ll reward you.”
Driver says that end users are ‘absolutely committing more budget’ to security, with the frequency of breaches and attempted attacks increasing hugely for many organisations across all sectors, and some of these have limited experience in dealing with large scale cyber attacks. “In particular, we’ve seen a jump in firms turning to cyber insurance as a key part of their risk management strategy – up to 55 per cent from 43 per cent last year,” added Driver. “This is sensible, as long as it’s matched by suitable investment in preventive measures.”
What interests Driver most is seeing Attack Surface Management (ASM) shift security from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for an incident, security teams can identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in real-time before attackers do. “It’s a mindset change that aligns perfectly with how modern threats operate,” said Driver.
“And the key thing for any company facing new kinds of cyber threats is not to be overwhelmed by the range of responses. MSSPs and channel partners are vital to making sure that businesses understand exactly what products and services they need to focus on, and to offer ongoing support as those needs inevitably evolve.”
But Driver has seen SMBs underserved by the market for years. It’s the big firms that make headlines, and the bigger the business, the more attempted breaches they’re likely to experience per year. “However, SMBs are still extremely exposed and the stakes are much higher,” he commented. “A fifth of SMBs that experienced attacks last year said it nearly destroyed their business. This is a blind spot that Ekco is seeking to address. We recently launched Cyber Defence Complete, a comprehensive security solution with a flexible, tiered approach that can grow and scale as businesses mature.”
Key acquisition
In May this year, Ekco secured its fourth acquisition, netting Predatech, a Manchester-based cybersecurity consultancy specialising in penetration testing and assurance services. The company will operate as a dedicated security unit within Ekco’s MSSP division. Driver noted: “Predatech’s penetration testing services and advanced assessment systems mean we can expand our offering and improve our ability to laser-focus on the precise needs of each and every customer. For us, it’s about investing in keeping all bases covered. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity now. No matter how much you invest in security solutions, if they’re not right for your business and your employees’ workflows, you’ll be vulnerable.”
AI-enabled attacks
The acquisition came just days after Ekco’s research revealed 62 per cent of organisations lack confidence in their defences against modern AI-enabled attacks and nearly the same number of IT leaders identified AI attacks as the top cloud security challenge, overtaking data breaches for the first time. “That said, the recent attacks on major UK retailers like Harrods and M&S will be lodged in the front of security providers’ minds for a long time,” added Driver. “The losses and reputational damage are difficult to overstate.
“But while retailers have made recent headlines, no industry is immune. Cyber intelligence companies are warning everyone from online dating firms to fast-food providers that attackers are scouting them out for vulnerabilities. The message from security providers is simple – an ounce of prevention is worth £300 million of cure. The market needs straightforward solutions that consolidate threat detection, incident response and day-to-day operational continuity.”
The market needs straightforward solutions that consolidate threat detection, incident response and day-to-day operational continuity
However, there’s a paradox for business leaders, believes Driver. He says that the recent attacks have shown that even when it comes to traditional data breaches, bad actors are more sophisticated than ever – but they’re still exploiting the simplest flaw of all – human nature. “Training is vital, but it’s no longer enough when even a single slip-up can cost hundreds of millions and leave a lasting scar on consumer trust,” added Driver.
To combat security threats and contain breaches Ekco offers a comprehensive platform with local specialists providing round-the-clock responses, detection, prevention plus tailored advice and support in the event of an incident. “The other key for us is that our team isn’t comprised of IT support professionals who provide security as an afterthought,” said Driver. “Ekco is made up of security experts and professionals who have worked across a wide range of sectors for years. Security is the bedrock of everything.”