Tech Data to offer Blackberry Spark solutions under new partnership

Distributor says the move will help partners to boost their endpoint security

Tech Data has agreed a new extended partnership with Blackberry which will allow its partners to gain access to Blackberry's Spark security solutions.

Spark now incorporates technologies from Cylance - the AI-based security specialist that was acquired in 2019 by BlackBerry and makes use of AI, machine learning and automation.

The distributor says the move will "help partners to boost their endpoint security" by giving partners access to the "new, AI-powered editions of Blackberry's Spark suite of zero-trust security solutions".

"BlackBerry Spark provides zero trust and zero touch endpoint security that works for customers of all sizes," said Alison Nixon, business unit director - security, Tech Data, UK and Ireland.

"With its unique layered protection and management, it offers a complete proposition that allows managed security services providers to add real value.

"The Tech Data security practice team is skilled-up in the new version of Spark and we are ready to help enable and support partners in learning about the solutions and identifying and addressing their tremendous potential."

The move brings "a powerful endpoint protection solution into Tech Data's growing security practice" the company says, enabling them to support partners in "developing the competency and capability they need to build a profitable security business".

Tech Data has installed Spark at its Business Solutions Centre in Bracknell, which is available to partners to run virtual demonstrations and proof-of-concept testing.

It adds that professional services and business development support will also be available through Blackberry Spark.

The extended partnership with Blackberry comes just months after it was announced that Tech Data would be merging with Synnex in a $7.2bn deal that made them larger than global distributor Ingram Micro.