Channel Brief: Cisco Talos Layoffs, Cynomi Expands vCISO Services on Pax8

How trustworthy is your internal data? Not very, according to a report released last week from TeamViewer.

TeamViewer's research found that 99% of business leaders they surveyed have concerns about the trustworthiness of internal data, citing multiple versions of the truth (38%), conflicting data management practices (32%) and too many instances of poor hardware reliability (31%) as top reasons for mistrust.

The Real Value of Technology Connectivity report also found that only 5% of business leaders believe they have seamless technology connectivity across their organizations, identifying a huge opportunity to close the connectivity gap to not only gain internal trust in data, but to also enhance nearly all areas of the business from innovation to HR.

As always, drop me a line at [email protected] if you have news to share or want to say hi!

Grab your coffee. Here's what you need to know today.

Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

1. Salesforce launches Agentforce AI partner network: At its annual Dreamforce conference today in San Francisco, Salesforce launched the Agentforce Partner Network, which will allow users to quickly get access to connections to external data sources, specialized third-party actions and unique AI skills and deploy partner-built agents, Silicon Angle reported. These agents can plan and take action on their behalf across multiple systems and channels, even outside Salesforce.

2. Pax8 and Cynomi partnership: Pax8 announced today the availability of Cynomi, an AI-powered Virtual CISO (vCISO) platform for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in EMEA and North America. Cynomi’s platform allows MSPs to offer their clients strategic cybersecurity services that were traditionally accessible only to large enterprises. By automating risk assessments, compliance management, and tailored cybersecurity strategies, Cynomi equips MSPs to serve the growing cybersecurity demands of SMBs, particularly in the rapidly growing cloud market, the companies said in a statement.

3. IBM acquires Kubecost: IBM has acquired Kubecost, a Kubernetes cost monitoring and optimization software company. Following IBM’s 2023 acquisition of Apptio, this move further solidifies IBM’s position in the FinOps market and expands its portfolio of cloud financial management solutions, the company said. The integration of Kubecost technology with IBM’s FinOps Suite and Apptio’s capabilities creates a comprehensive platform for managing and optimizing costs across diverse cloud environments, including the rapidly growing Kubernetes ecosystem, IBM said in a statement.

4. Bechtle becomes a Darktrace partner to expand to DACH: Darktrace entered into a partnership with Bechtle that makes its solution available to customers across Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH). Together, the partners also want to develop other services, according to CRN. The partnership makes Bechtle Darktrace's second reseller partner and helps Bechtle expand its cybersecurity portfolio. According to Darktrace, partners would benefit from many price advantages; when registering deals, they would receive staggering discounts for Darktrace certification tests and demos. They will also receive support for joint marketing initiatives, according to the companies.

5. Cisco continues layoffs, cuts to Talos: U.S. networking and tech giant Cisco has let go of thousands of additional employees, many from its Talos Security division, in its second layoff of 2024, TechCrunch is reporting. The technology and networking company announced in August that it would reduce its headcount by 7%, or around 5,600 employees, following an earlier layoff in February, in which the company let go of about 4,000 employees. However, it did not indicate which employees would be let go for nearly a month, finally announcing the cuts on September 16.