In The Channel

From Shadow AI to managed AI: WatchGuard CEO on the next MSP opportunity

With employees increasingly adopting AI outside corporate oversight, WatchGuard CEO Joe Smolarski sees a growing opportunity for MSPs to deliver AI governance as a distinct managed service. In this episode of In The Channel, he discusses the business opportunity, WatchGuard’s latest AI investments, and the risks emerging as AI agents gain greater autonomy.

In The Channel
In The Channel

Fortinet wants Calgary cybersecurity hub to be a home base for Western Canadian partners

Fortinet’s new Calgary cybersecurity innovation hub gives Western Canadian partners access to meeting and event space, technical labs and Fortinet expertise, with more capabilities still to come. Western Canada chief Gord Phillips joins In The Channel to discuss the investment and Fortinet’s larger ambitions for Calgary’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

In The Channel

Flare launches partner program to take cyber threat intelligence downmarket

Flare has launched a new partner program as the Montreal cybersecurity company looks to expand its channel reach. CRO John Williamson and director of partner marketing Eunice Leung join In The Channel to discuss how partners can bring threat intelligence to the midmarket and build services around the technology.

In The Channel

How financing can help channel partners navigate higher IT costs

Rising hardware costs and customer budget pressure are making IT infrastructure deals harder to close. Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada’s Jim Moschos explains how MSPs and VARs can use financing to protect margins, manage cash flow and support multi-year technology commitments.

Podcasts

The Buzz: TD Synnex deepens PartnerFirst, Barracuda collapses partner tracks, and AWS pushes outcome-based AI billing

TD Synnex adds Microsoft and Cisco data to PartnerFirst, Barracuda merges MSP and reseller tracks, and AWS pushes outcome-based AI pricing. Plus: Blumira and DNSFilter integrate, OpenAI agents breach Hugging Face, and TD SYNNEX Canada Inspire dates are set.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Cisco Canada launches sovereign critical infrastructure, ScanSource buys MicroAge for $220.5 million, and ESET Canada names cybersecurity scholarship winners

Cisco Canada launches its Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio with Bell as lead partner, ScanSource acquires MicroAge for $220.5 million to augment partner services, and ESET Canada names three Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship winners. Plus CrowdStrike expands Project QuiltWorks to SMBs, Palo Alto Networks and NTT Data sign a $1 billion pact, and Auvik promotes Daniel Ochoa to CRO.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Blumira launches universal AI security command center, Vistera brings AI professional services to Canadian SMBs, and CrowdStrike warns on ransomware targeting MSPs

Blumira unveils a universal AI command center for security tools, Vistera launches a Canadian-built professional services platform for SMBs, and CrowdStrike warns that Punk Spider ransomware attacks on MSPs are up 134 percent. Plus ConnectSecure expands M365 security, GTIA warns on AI adoption gaps, and Verizon channel chief Mark Tina departs for Humana.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Expel extends MDR to AI attack surface, Huntress warns on autonomous adversaries, and Myriad360 crosses $1 billion

Expel launches the first MDR for the full AI attack surface, Huntress CEO Kyle Hanslovan says autonomous AI attacks are already here, and Myriad360 acquires F3 Technology Partners to cross $1 billion in revenue. Plus Nutanix and Halo announce MCP integrations for MSPs, and CRN names its Annual Report Card winners. Here’s your Wednesday, August 12 channel briefing.