Westcon-Comstor launches managed SOC solution for Cisco partners

Westcon-Comstor has introduced a managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) solution for Cisco partners in the UK and EMEA.

The offering, which targets technology resellers, systems integrators and service providers, allows partners to enter the cybersecurity services market without the need to invest in building and maintaining their own SOC infrastructure.

The managed SOC solution is powered by Cisco's Extended Detection and Response (XDR) technology and is being made available under Westcon-Comstor's Comstor arm, which is focused on Cisco-centric offerings.

According to Westcon-Comstor, the service is delivered in a white-labelled format, enabling partners to present the SOC service under their own branding for customers in the UK and across the EMEA region.

This is the first managed SOC offering from Westcon-Comstor to use Cisco XDR. The company cited partner demand as the primary driver behind the launch.

Establishing and operating a SOC typically requires substantial upfront investment, as well as significant ongoing operational costs. By utilising Comstor's managed XDR SOC, partners are able to avoid these expenses, which can often reach millions, while also bypassing the technical and operational hurdles involved with SOC development.

The managed SOC helps partners to create new recurring revenue streams by offering subscription-based services and ongoing contracts to their end-user customers. In addition, end-users receive benefits that the company says include proactive cyber protection, improved operational efficiency, and greater resilience against emerging threats.

Cisco XDR, the core of the solution, operates across multiple security layers such as network, endpoint, server and cloud. It applies analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning to deliver real-time threat detection and incident response.

The technology is designed to integrate with existing security infrastructures, including non-Cisco systems, and can scale to fit organisations of different sizes and requirements.

Comstor partners adopting the managed XDR SOC will benefit from unified, centralised management via a single dashboard. The offering also includes 24x7 monitoring and support from certified analysts and engineers, with access to Cisco expertise as required.

The service aims to offer continuous, round-the-clock threat monitoring and visibility, which can help partners to respond swiftly to incidents. The company notes that this capability supports compliance with evolving regulations, such as the EU's NIS2 cybersecurity directive and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

The managed XDR market in EMEA is forecast to reach a value of between USD $8 billion and USD $10 billion by 2030, coinciding with increased regulatory requirements and the need for comprehensive cybersecurity solutions among businesses facing high volumes of security alerts and expanding attack surfaces.

Steven Heinsius, Vice President, Product Management and Marketing EMEA at Comstor, said: "Our managed SOC offering enables partners to expand their service portfolio and provide comprehensive security solutions to end-users, unlocking new growth opportunities and increasing customer retention and loyalty. By leveraging our solution, partners will be able to build stronger relationships with customers through addressing their security needs and ensuring continuous, agile protection."

"At the same they can avoid the costs involved in establishing and maintaining a SOC, which can typically run to millions of dollars. We believe this solution represents a clear point of differentiation for partners and equips them with a competitive advantage. We couldn't be more excited to bring it to market."