Distology signs Harmonic Security deal for AI governance

Distology has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Harmonic Security covering the UK, Benelux and DACH.

The deal adds Harmonic's AI security platform to Distology's vendor portfolio, giving the distributor's channel partners access to technology designed to help organisations monitor and control staff use of artificial intelligence tools.

Founded in 2023, Harmonic focuses on visibility into how employees use AI services across a business. Its platform is designed to show which tools are in use, what data is being shared with them, and where staff have adopted services without formal approval.

Stockport-based Distology has built its business around specialist cybersecurity distribution since 2014. It said the Harmonic partnership aligns with rising customer demand for products and services related to AI governance, data protection and acceptable use.

The agreement also forms part of Harmonic's channel expansion in the UK and Europe. Distology will offer access to its reseller base across EMEA, while Harmonic continues to work with a separate distribution partner in the US.

Advisory role

The partnership reflects a wider market shift as security teams respond to the rapid spread of generative and agentic AI tools inside organisations. Many companies are now dealing with staff use of AI systems before internal rules, oversight and risk controls have been fully established.

Rather than blocking AI use outright, Harmonic's model centres on visibility and governance. Partners can use the platform's findings as the basis for consulting work on policy creation, AI usage assessments, governance reviews and planning for AI-related data exposure.

That creates a commercial opening for resellers beyond software sales alone. The data produced by the platform can support customer discussions about where AI is already being used in the business, whether sanctioned or unsanctioned, and what information is being entered into those systems.

Research cited by Harmonic found that 64.5% of activity on personal AI accounts is business use. This suggests a significant volume of AI-related work may be taking place outside an organisation's formal oversight.

Hayley Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Distology, said: "With AI now woven into everyday work, it has never been more important for organisations to understand exactly how, where and with what data AI is being used across the business. Harmonic provides that visibility, revealing which AI tools are in use and what data is flowing into them, helping security teams enable AI safely rather than simply block it.

"We've been tracking Harmonic for a couple of years and have seen the business go from strength to strength. It's a natural fit within our vendor taxonomy and brings real value to our partners and their customers. The significance of the deal goes well beyond adding another tool to the portfolio. Visibility into AI usage is a starting point, not a finished service, and the gap between the two is where partners can build something of their own. We're excited to play an instrumental role in supporting Harmonic's growth across the channel."

Regional focus

The exclusivity in the UK, Benelux and DACH gives Distology a defined regional role in taking Harmonic's platform to market. For resellers, that may reduce direct competition between multiple distributors offering the same vendor in those territories.

Both businesses also have established links to the UK cybersecurity sector. Harmonic's data and machine learning team emerged from Digital Shadows, while Roberts is also a co-founder of The Channel Community UK, a network focused on careers in the UK channel.

Harmonic said demand for AI security has risen sharply over the past year. It has added around 100 customers this year and surpassed its annual target last month.

That growth comes as companies move from experimenting with AI tools to using them more widely in everyday workflows. As a result, governance has become a more immediate issue for security and compliance teams, particularly where sensitive corporate data may be entering consumer or unsanctioned AI systems.

Alastair Paterson, Chief Executive Officer, Harmonic Security, said: "Every organisation is scrambling to adopt AI securely, and they are looking to trusted partners to help them navigate that journey and do it properly. Harmonic Security provides them with the intelligence to understand how AI is being used across their business, alongside the controls they need to adopt and scale AI adoption with confidence.

"Distology was the natural choice as our UK and European distribution partner. It brings strong relationships, deep cybersecurity expertise, and proven reach across the channel. Together, we will equip more partners and customers with the visibility and control they need to enable AI securely and get the most out of it."