Webroot confirms staff cutbacks

Security vendor says drive to increase operational efficiencies is in line with cloud-based delivery strategy

Webroot has confirmed that it is potentially making a "small number" of UK redundancies as part of a cost-cutting drive.

In a statement sent to ChannelWeb, the security vendor said it is seeking to "increase operational efficiencies" in the wake of several cloud-based acquisitions, including UK outfit Prevx.

According to channel sources, the vendor is in the process of making hefty cuts to the size of its UK inside sales and account management team. Webroot would not offer more details, saying it is "going through a consultation process" with affected staff and that no decisions have yet been made.

However, Webroot did confirm it plans to cut its 450-strong global employee base by six per cent, but said it will keep its UK office open, while investing in its Irish headquarters.

It said in a statement: "The cloud security delivery model is about increasing operational efficiencies. We are taking this approach with our own delivery model across our business.

"As such, we have aligned our resources appropriately to continue supporting our UK business and to focus on the development of end-point, web and mobile security where we see a great opportunity to innovate."

It added: "Unfortunately, this has resulted in a small number of potential redundancies."

Steven Malone, technical director at Infosec Technologies, which has been a Webroot partner for five years, was unfazed by the changes.

"We have seen other vendors making tuning cuts for the past two years so this news does not concern us," he said.