CMS gets iSheriff under lock and key in security drive

Distributor expresses ambition to build a complete suite of security vendors over the next year

CMS has partnered with cloud security vendor iSheriff as the distributor shoots for success in the security space.

iSheriff – an Australian vendor providing content, email and web filtering security products – is the fourth security vendor to partner with CMS in short succession, after AlienVault, Barracuda, and most recently The Bunker.

Speaking to CRN Simon Carr, CMS’ security product manager, said: “We are seeing a growing volume of requests for assistance from our reseller base, with the increase in security threats today. This includes assistance with cloud solutions, which iSheriff provides. Our ambition is to develop a more comprehensive suite of solutions.”

Carr said that aside from the move into the new market being a growth driver, it also enables the VAD to help resellers deliver a wider product range.

“I see it more as being able to help our reseller partners deliver what they are being asked for today, and at the moment we have some gaps in what we are able to help them with,” he said. “You should see us over the next year or so completing that suite in terms of solutions and services so that resellers can come to us and we can help.”

He claimed CMS has not been targeting specific security vendors, but has focused on the areas customers are asking for.

To assist in the new focus, Carr added that a number of recruits have been hired in the business development, and product management departments.

The distributor recognises that the security market is a busy place, but Carr said it is not looking for competition.

“You look at all the different people out there – some good, some bad. Broadliners, specialists – we are not looking at anyone to imitate or do better than, we just want to look at what our resellers need to provide in terms of security solutions for customers,” he continued.

Specialist security distributor Wick Hill’s chairman Ian Kilpatrick wished CMS well, but warned the company that security is a challenging sector.

“Having been in this space, we are aware that it is a very complex, skills-based area, therefore anybody coming into this space has a challenge to be able to provide the kind of skills required and the knowledge to be able to deal with the ever-changing threats. They have my best wishes in a challenging space,” he said.