The Zix Secure Cloud Platform now supports the company's data backup and disaster recovery (BDR) capabilities.The result: Zix partners and customers can leverage a single portal for Microsoft 365 licensing, third-party security and compliance, BDR and email continuity capabilities, the company said. The integrated capabilities surface roughly one year after Zix acquired CloudAlly, a BDR service that protects Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and other platforms.The Zix strategy reinforces growing synergies between cloud backup, disaster recovery, data protection and cybersecurity technologies. In theory, those technologies -- once integrated -- improve cyber resilience for MSPs and their end-customers.
Data Protection Plus Security Equals Cyber Resilience for MSPs
Zix certainly isn't alone in the cyber resilience market. Multiple rivals have made moves to converge data protection and cybersecurity. A few examples:
In some ways, the Zix portal also competes with distributors and cloud solutions providers such as Pax8 and Sherweb.
Zix Secure Cloud Platform: CEO Perspectives
David Wagner, CEO, ZixIn a prepared statement about the integrated portal capabilities, Zix CEO David Wagner said:
“SaaS providers are in the infrastructure business, not the backup business. We heard from our partners firsthand that backup and recovery services were needed within our Secure Cloud to achieve a single pane of glass view just by logging in to the portal. With this announcement, Zix is excited to become the only cybersecurity company that offers Microsoft 365 licensing, third-party security and compliance, resiliency via backup and recovery, and email continuity, all through one convenient portal.”
Zix has engaged MSP partners since acquiring AppRiver in February 2019. Fast forward to 2021, and that partner engagement has showed progress. For instance, Zix revenues rose 18 percent to $62.8 million in Q2 of 2021 compared to Q2 of 2020, the company said in August 2021.Much of the Zix growth involved 5,600 partners — most of which are managed IT services providers (MSPs) that transact with Zix, the company said as part of that earnings announcement.Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
Sharon is a master technology storyteller and editor with omnichannel experience: books and print magazines, digital, webcast, blogging, podcast, live events and video and associated brand-specific social media content. From 1999 to 2003, she acquired and edited technology books and certification exam prep guides.
After a year spent in publicity and editorial at mass-market book publishers, she returned to tech publishing and, since 2004, explored B2C and B2B news, issues and trends in consumer, lifestyle, software, software development, AI, ML, networks, big data, hardware, security, storage, cloud, equity, inclusion, diversity, women in tech, career development, IT management, H-1B visa issues and immigration, education, training and learning.
Her previous role was as the managing editor at Techstrong Group in charge of Cloud Native Now, DevOps.com, Security Boulevard and Techstrong ITSM and their brand-specific social media. She currently serves as editorial director for CyberRisk Alliance’s channel brands, ChannelE2E and MSSP Alert and acting editorial director for SC Media UK. Drop me a note and let’s talk!
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