Security News
Rachel Espaillat
Katie Bird, Cynet’s Director of Channel Marketing, advises MSPs looking to expand into MSSPs, explains why the economic downturn might not be so bad for MSPs, and talks about the importance of empowering women in the latest episode of Channel in the industry every opportunity is seized by women in safety.
Despite the economic uncertainty that still looms, Katie Bird, director of channel marketing at cybersecurity firm Cynet, says on CRNtv that this current economic climate presents many opportunities for MSPs.
Here’s what the Boston-based company’s Channel Marketing Director had to say about it, and more about the latest installment in the Channel Women in Security series.
What would you say is the biggest trend you’re seeing in security right now?
The biggest trend I see in cybersecurity is that MSPs want to get their feet wet to become MSSPs. They want to know how to start the journey and what that looks like in terms of their security stack and what they can do to improve what they do.
What is your advice for MSPs who want to get involved?
When considering the security stack, look for consolidation and automation. [MSPs will want] something that can help automate all the different tools and something that helps take them from a console management position like day-to-day operations. So this type of consolidation and automation is exactly what MSPs are looking for as they don’t need to hire additional staff to manage this security staff and have a way to automate this and provide 24/7 support.
At the moment it is a time of recession or approaching a recession. Is this an opportunity for MSPs to take advantage?
I think this is a great opportunity for the MSPs. Many customers are looking [things] such as insurance for insurance purposes. They will see their premiums go up if they don’t have certain compliances, those types of things and these types of conditions imposed on their customers will actually boost their demand over time.
I also think that small and medium-sized companies are also looking for solutions, regardless of the economic crisis. The economy keeps showing that the technology sector and especially the channel technology sector has outperformed the market by about 10 or 20 points. So let’s all just take a deep breath and figure out how to strategize to do the right things in 2023.
Speaking of opportunities, what is your advice to other women involved in cybersecurity?
Always pick one cross-functional project each quarter where you want to dig deeper and learn more. And never, ever, ever raise your hand for an opportunity, no matter how small. This gives you the opportunity to make friends and do things you wouldn’t normally do. If you take the time to take on this cross-functional project just once a quarter, it will transform your career.
Rachel Espaillat
