INTERVIEW Colin Knox - Solar Winds
“We have the skill sets to address the evolution of the MSP where not many have these skills. This is why
we are working with Falanx in a nonconflicting
and noncompete
way” Colin Knox, SolarWinds
Endpoint Detection and Response
Comms Business Magazine talks to two companies, SolarWinds and Falanx, that are working together to
develop opportunities for MSPs to expand their security offerings through EDR – endpoint detection and
responses solutions
SolarWinds is an US
company that develops
software for businesses
to help manage their
networks, systems, and
information technology
infrastructure. ey have a
wide portfolio of products that
give organisations worldwide—
regardless of type, size or
complexity—the power to
monitor and manage their IT
services, infrastructures, and
applications; whether onpremises,
in the cloud, or via
hybrid models.
Falanx on the other hand is a
UK based rm that specialises
in providing cyber security
solutions, including Managed
Detection and Response to
MSPs.
Responding to the question
what is concerning IT
Managers today Rick Flood,
Managing Director of Falanx’s
Cyber Security business
points to the growing security
threats whilst Colin Knox at
SolarWinds says that the sprawl
to connected devices used in the
business, including BYOD and
mobile devices presents huge
challenges for rms.
SolarWinds has a huge
portfolio of services it can o er
business and MSPs including
network management and
the ability to monitor any
device and mount control
over those devices. About a
year ago SolarWinds acquired
the rm Trusted Metrics the
real-time threat monitoring
and management software
vendor which extended their
IT management portfolio
to include network security
monitoring.
Knox says, “Because we serve
such a wide range of technology
professionals, we understand
the unique challenge that
security presents—whether
an organisation is managing
its IT infrastructure directly
or working with a managed
service provider (MSP).
When we look at the rapidly
changing IT security landscape,
the proliferation of massmarketed
malware and the
non-discriminatory approach
of cybercriminals, we believe
that real-time threat monitoring
and management shouldn’t be a
luxury, but an a ordable option
for everyone.
We have the skill sets to
address the evolution of the MSP
where not many have these skills.
is is why we are working with
Falanx in a non-con icting and
non-compete way.”
Channel Reaction
is threat monitoring program
is building out – expect to see
case studies early 2020, so it is
early days and the companies
have been piloting with their
elite partners for 9-12 months.
According to Knox and
Flood, security is a popular
conversation to have so we are
looking to empower MSPs to
make our solutions look easy.
“Endpoint detection and
response (EDR) is the next
generation in security solutions.
We have some 22,000 MSPs
globally and our Elite partners
have shown signi cant interest
in what we are doing and what
we have planned.”
Flood concurs, saying, “We
are working with a number of
our partners that have joined us
early in the journey with many
more wanting to embrace it as it
matures, but we are progressing
along that journey.”
Colin Knox, SolarWinds
Both are concerned that
larger, more powerful vendors
are muddying the waters
somewhat by advocating their
own solutions and shifting
the technology terminology,
for example, is EDR the next
generation? All of which is
confusing users.
What type of end users are
we looking at here?
Almost any apparently as the
technology trickles down from
enterprise to going mainstream
in mid and smaller markets.
Knox also points to the GDPR
compliance regulation market.
“Whatever their vertical,
there are threats that need
management. It’s a fact that
a lot of organisations are still
not up to speed with GDPR
and as we have seen, the ning
regime is severe. For instance
there are still major issues with
organisation informing the
information commissioner the
instant they discover or detect
a problem with their data
security and the MSP and their
ecosystems are prime targets for
these threats. But we can help
organisations of any size analyse
themselves.”
WHAT IS EDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity technology
that addresses the need for continuous monitoring and response to
advanced threats. It is a subset of endpoint security technology and a
critical piece of an optimal security position.
58 | Comms Business Magazine | February 2020 www.commsbusiness.co.uk
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