Channel Brief: Akamai Buys Noname Security, CrowdStrike’s RSA News

A. Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

CrowdStrike has made a number of announcements as it continues its push toward leading the AI-powered security operations center (SOC) market. The company has added new features and innovations to its Falcon SIEM platform, including new integrations, and has increased its data ingestion capabilities. It also has expanded its ISV ecosystem for Falcon and announced a new partnership with NinjaOne for IT monitoring and management as well as security telemetry.

Akamai acquired Noname Security to bolster its API security capabilities. Noname will be tucked into Akamai's API security business and all 200+ employees will join Akamai.

Speaking of employees and human resources, MSP Blue Mantis is expanding its IT resources management capabilities so organizations can close the cybersecurity skills gap. Blue Mantis can now help customer find entry-level or tier IT technical support professionals, IT project managers, application developers, CRM or ERP planning and deployment specialists to virtual CISOs and more, Blue Mantis said in a statement. As part of the announcement, Blue Mantis is partnering with LABUR, an IT consultancy providing holistic technology workforce solutions through advisory services, strategic resourcing, and executive search.

Are you an MSP that partners with public cloud service providers? It's time for you to step up and get recognized. ChannelE2E opened its annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs survey. This is the survey that we use to create our annual Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs ranked list. Here's the link to participate.

Please check out our industry Mergers and Acquisitions list, updated daily, with an archive that goes all the way back to 2020. Check out the whole thing here. Scroll down for a quick view of upcoming in-person channel and MSP events at the bottom of this post (while we spiff up our industry calendar behind the scenes. It will return!)

And please send your news tips, information, and industry chatter to senior managing editor [email protected].

1. Akamai Buys Noname Security: Cloud and cloud services provider Akamai is buying Noname Security for $450 million -- what TechCrunch said was a "steep discount." In its last private fundraise in December 2021, Noname was valued at approximately $1 billion, TechCrunch said. But ongoing consolidation in the cybersecurity space coupled with a difficult economy and stingy private equity and venture capital environments is forcing many of these cybersecurity startups to reassess their value. Noname Security will tuck into Akamai's API security unit.

2. Blue Mantis Expands IT Resource Management Services: Last week, MSP Blue Mantis expanded its IT resource management services aimed at helping organizations grapple with the ever-increasing security and technology talent gap. These include but are not limited to entry-level or tier IT technical support professionals, IT project managers, application developers, CRM or ERP planning and deployment specialists to virtual CISOs and more, Blue Mantis said in a statement. As part of the announcement, Blue Mantis is partnering with LABUR, an IT consultancy providing holistic technology workforce solutions through advisory services, strategic resourcing, and executive search. 

3. CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM, ISV Ecosystem and Alliances: It's a big week for CrowdStrike -- the company announced new innovations and features for its Falcon SIEM, a beefed-up ISV ecosystem for Falcon SIEM and a strategic partnership with NinjaOne RMM -- all of which the company's chief business officer Daniel Bernard told ChannelE2E is being done to deliver a market-leading AI-powered SOC. Bernard said the cybersecurity industry needs to move toward a focus on collaboration instead of competition and vendors all need to work more closely together to share data, identify vulnerabilities and bolster defenses. "There's enough room for everyone to get a part of this ecosystem, and we all can benefit. It's about making sure everyone wins -- and that happens when everyone's business grows," he said.

4. MSSP Alert Live CFP: Are you a thought leader in managed services or managed security services, or do you have a unique approach to an important topic that could help other MSPs or MSSPs? We’re looking for speakers like you to be part of our MSSP Alert Live program for 2024. MSSP Alert Live, the premiere cybersecurity event for MSPs and MSSPs, has opened its call for papers. (You can submit yours here.) We’re looking for speakers like you who want to share insights and experience and wisdom with peers.

5. Time for Cloud MSPs to get recognized: Are you an MSP that works with public cloud providers? It’s time to get recognized for your work. ChannelE2E opened its annual survey for the Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs. If your MSP practice includes working with a public cloud provider, this survey is for you. Participation is free. The survey closes in June. Submit your MSP today here for recognition! Our list will be released this summer.

B. In-Person MSP and Channel Partner Events