Ignition Technology signs EMEA deal with start-up Abnormal Security

Research shows that business email compromises cost organisations nearly $2.4bn in 2021

Ignition Technology, the specialist arm of Exclusive Networks, has penned a distribution agreement with email security start-up Abnormal Security.

Abnormal is an AI-based cloud-native email security platform and recently raised $210m in series C funding, giving it a valuation of $4bn.

The partnership sees Ignition become Abnormal's first distributor across EMEA, with an initial focus on the UK and Ireland, the Nordics and Benelux markets.

Citing research from the FBI in its most recent Internet Crime Report, Ignition says business email compromise (BEC) continues to be the primary threat vector for cybercriminals, with organisational losses amounting to nearly $2.4bn in 2021 alone.

It added this has been fueled by the move to remote and hybrid working, where distributed enterprise workforces can no longer rely on manual processes or traditional email security solutions for adequate protection.

"Cybersecurity teams are rethinking how to solve this escalating challenge and are looking for a more modern approach to their evolving email security needs," said Ignition Technology MD, Peter Ledger.

"With Abnormal's behavioural-based and AI-powered platform, channel partners now have the ideal solution to address this growing market opportunity."

Abnormal claims to protect more than five per cent of the Fortune 1000 and numerous notable companies including Xerox, Hitachi Vantara, Urban Outfitters, Groupon, Royal Caribbean International and Auto Club Group-AAA.

Its European sales director, Chris Martin, added: "We have completely changed how security leaders protect users and their mailboxes, ensuring that organisations are protected from business email compromise, supply chain fraud, ransomware, spam and graymail, account takeovers, and more.

"The modern enterprise workforce requires greater email security than ever before, and Ignition Technology is the ideal partner in helping us protect the Northern European market.

"Its laser focus on disruptive, SaaS-based cybersecurity and its proven track record in helping innovative vendors penetrate and scale European markets is unparalleled and we look forward to a successful partnership."