Cisco’s director of the partner business group, Jason Brouwers with ARN's Allan Swann
Cisco continues its push into the security market with additions to its offerings in the space. According to the company, these additions will assist with network visibility, software-defined business policies and threat awareness.
The vendor has expanded its Security Everywhere suite to incorporate Cisco Cloud Access Security (CAS), Identity Services Engine (ISE) enhancements and Threat Awareness Service.
Cisco A/NZ director of the partner business group, Jason Brouwers, told ARN that Security Everywhere was about the breadth and depth of Cisco security portfolio.
“The breadth is our ability to have security on endpoint, branch, edge, campus, datacentre, Cloud and industrial control networks. The depth is our focus on the threat continuum with solution that work before, during and after attacks take place,” he said.
“The point for channel partners is they like the idea of consolidating the number of security vendors they deal with, reducing their investment in training, while leveraging existing Cisco channel incentives. Moreover, many customers buy different security products from different resellers. Cisco channel partners have a credible revenue growth opportunity by landing and expanding with Cisco security to take a greater share of customer wallet.”
The vendor claimed, in a statement, that the number of unauthorised Cloud applications used by employees in the enterprise is 15 to 20 times higher than chief information officers predicted due to shadow IT. The company said its new CAS offering allows organisations to address this by identifying rogue application installs as well as increase visibility and control over data in Cloud applications.
Additionally, the offering integrates with Cisco Cloud Web Security to provide branch offices secure direct Internet access with 4K router integration aimed at reducing bandwidth costs.
Cisco said the new ISE offering aims to enhance software-defined business policies. It also integrates with the the vendor’s Mobility Services Engine to extend control and visibility for network and endpoints with new location access controls.
In conjunction, the vendor is extending its security coverage through its pxGrid partner ecosystem with nine new partners including Check Point, Infoblox, Invincea, E8 Security, Hawk Defense, Huntsman Security, LogRhythm, SAINT and SOTI.
Brouwers added that companies were banking on digital initiatives to provide new avenues of financial growth and reduce operational complexity.
“By removing complexity and simplifying security, channel partners and customers alike can benefit from Cisco’s approach.
“Not only can channel partners capture a greater share of customer security spending, but Cisco security technology lends itself to partners looking for managed services opportunities, together with volume discounts and enterprise licensing agreements to simplify the procurement process," he said.
