MSP, Networking, Storage

Barracuda Preps Intronis Security Surprise for MSPs

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Barracuda CEO BJ Jenkins
BJ Jenkins

Intronis -- the cloud backup and data protection service for MSPs -- is performing well under Barracuda Networks' ownership, and is preparing to push into subscription security services, according to CEO BJ Jenkins.

Barracuda acquired Intronis in September 2015, and now refers to the business as Intronis MSP Solutions by Barracuda Networks. So far, the Intronis business is performing well under Barracuda's ownership -- meeting the parent company's financial expectations, according to Jenkins' statements to Wall Street analysts on April 26.

During a Q&A session, Jenkins said Intronis generated more than $6 million in Q4 bookings. He suggested the figure could accelerate since Barracuda is diversifying Intronis' product line while also expanding in the United Kingdom.

Indeed, Barracuda expects Intronis to generate 25 percent growth in 2016, Jenkins added. Among the potential contributors to that growth: MSP-centric network security appliances (available on a monthly subscription basis) are expected to debut "in the next couple of months," he said. He also praised the Intronis management team -- stating that it has been "doing a great, great job."

Intronis & Barracuda: MSP Progress, Competition

That's solid news, but Intronis MSP Solutions by Barracuda face plenty of competition. Among the examples:

  • Datto remains in rapid growth mode, pushing into file and sync services while preparing Datto Network Appliance -- an SMB network switch -- for release sometime this year.
  • eFolder is pushing beyond its MSP heritage and extending its platform to distributors and VARs.
  • And just yesterday, Virtustream — an EMC business — announced Storage Cloud extensions that service providers can white label.

On the upside for Barracuda, the company has managed to retain key Intronis employees --including GM Rick Faulk, Senior Director of Channel Development Neal Bradbury, and other leaders who are experts in the MSP market.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.