By David Odayar – The need for effective cybersecurity measures has always been table stakes. In 2023, cyber-attacks increased by 30% in Q2 2024 globally compared to the previous year, a clear signal of the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. This urgency is particularly apparent in South Africa, where 73% of companies anticipate that a cybersecurity incident could disrupt their business in the next 12 to 24 months.
It is figures like these that set the backdrop for why we are witnessing a significant shift in how cybersecurity solutions are procured and deployed, thanks to the rise of the cybersecurity ‘platform’ and the growing prevalence of ‘co-opetition’ – a blend of cooperation and competition amongst vendors across the security sector. Organisations of all sizes are realising that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but has to be a fundamental business imperative.
The cybersecurity platform revolution
Traditionally, organisations approached cybersecurity through a patchwork of point solutions, each addressing specific threats. While this method had its merits, it often resulted in a fragmented security posture, with siloed data and complex management. Today, the emergence of integrated cybersecurity platforms is changing the landscape.
Central to this new approach is the zero-trust security model. Unlike traditional frameworks that assume everything inside the network is safe, zero-trust operates on the principle that threats can come from anywhere inside and outside the network. This model verifies every user and device that attempts to access resources, providing a comprehensive level of protection that not only secures but also reassures organisations.
As a result, it streamlines operations, enhances threat detection and response, reduces the total cost of ownership, and simplifies complexity, allowing organisations to focus on their core business.
The Role of the IT Channel in Cybersecurity
At the heart of this cybersecurity transformation are the key players in the IT channel: technology distributors, IT resellers, managed security service providers (MSSPs), and systems integrators (SIs). These entities serve as facilitators, intermediaries and guides, helping organisations navigate the complex cybersecurity market.
Distributors and Resellers: They curate a diverse portfolio of cybersecurity products, enabling them to offer best-of-breed solutions. By aggregating different technologies, they ensure that organisations have access to the most effective tools available.
MSSPs: Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are especially critical. They offer managed cybersecurity services, providing continuous monitoring, threat detection, and incident response. MSSPs are trusted advisors, helping organisations build and maintain a robust security posture.
Systems Integrators: These players integrate various security tools into a cohesive framework, ensuring seamless operation and management. By doing so, they help organisations achieve a unified security posture, eliminating the complexities of managing multiple-point solutions.
Take Westcon-Comstor’s 3D Lab, for example. This environment allows partners and their customers to test multi-vendor cybersecurity solutions against specific use cases in a dynamic virtual demo setting. It’s this kind of collaborative ecosystem that ensures end-users benefit from cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive support services.
From Competition to Co-opetition
The rise of co-opetition—a blend of cooperation and competition among vendors is gradually becoming significant in reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. In a world where cyber threats are complex and interconnected, no single vendor can address all security challenges alone.
Alliance-building between security vendors isn’t new, but it is becoming more common and is driven by a desire to meet customer demands and deliver optimal customer value. Vendors can create more robust and adaptive security solutions by pooling resources, expertise, and intelligence.
This collaborative approach ultimately better serves end-user’s needs by providing more comprehensive and effective security solutions, which is especially crucial in markets like South Africa, where the threat of business disruption due to cyber incidents is so high.
A prime example of co-opetition is the sharing of threat intelligence. Vendors collaborate to exchange information about emerging threats, attack vectors, and mitigation strategies. This collective effort enhances their ability to protect their customers.
Artificial Intelligence in the Channel
Generative AI (GenAI) is emerging as a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. On one hand, GenAI offers businesses an unprecedented level of security enhancement—enabling advanced threat detection, automating complex response processes, and even predicting vulnerabilities before they manifest. These capabilities are driving executives and board members to invest heavily in AI-driven solutions as they seek to fortify their defences against an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Yet, the same technology is being weaponised by cybercriminals, who are using GenAI to amplify their tactics like phishing scams and social engineering, impersonating real people in ways that can be hard to detect if you’re not vigilant. As the stakes rise, the line between protection and exploitation is blurring, demanding vigilance and a proactive approach from all stakeholders.
Therefore, the need for responsible AI deployment, ethical usage frameworks, and robust countermeasures has never been more critical.
Shaping the future
The IT channel is a crucial partner to help organisations you ensure stay ahead of the changes in cyber security. To enable end-users to stay ahead of evolving threats, vendors and their channel partners must continue to innovate, collaborate, share expertise and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
David Odayar is the Business Practice Lead Cyber Security & Next Generation Solutions at Westcon-Comstor Southern Africa