Monday Morning Impact – September 11

Check Point Study Reveals Surge in Cybercrime

Check Point Software, a San Carlos, California-based cybersecurity company, has issued its mid-year security report uncovering an 8% surge in global weekly cyberattacks in the second quarter: the most significant increase in two years, according to the company’s market research arm. The report highlights how attackers have combined next-gen AI technologies with long-established tools like USB devices to conduct cyberattacks. It also showcases how ransomware attacks have escalated in the first half of the year with new ransomware groups coming into the scene.

During the first half of the year, 48 ransomware groups breached more than 2,200 victims, with Lockbit3 being the most active, reporting a 20% increase in victims compared to H1 2022.

Ransomware groups have exploited vulnerabilities in commonly used corporate software and are shifting their approach from data encryption to data theft. USB Devices have resurfaced as significant threats, with both state-affiliated groups and cybercriminals deploying USB drives as vectors for infecting organizations globally.
Hacktivism has seen a rise, with politically motivated groups launching attacks on selected targets.

Artificial Intelligence misuse has also been amplified, with generative AI tools being used to craft phishing emails, keystroke monitoring malware, and basic ransomware code.

The 2023 Mid-Year Security Report findings are based on data drawn from the Check Point ThreatCloud Cyber-Threat Map which looks at the key tactics’ cybercriminals are using to carry out their attacks. The research team consists of over 100 analysts and researchers cooperating with other security vendors, law enforcement and various CERTs.

Channel Impact^®
Channel partners have a solid opportunity to help organizations build a cyber resiliency strategy and strengthen their defenses by adopting a prevention-first, integrated approach to cybersecurity.

Cisco and Nutanix Forge Strategic Partnership to Simplify Hybrid Multicloud

Cisco and Nutanix have announced a global strategic partnership to accelerate hybrid multicloud deployments by offering a new hyperconverged solution for IT modernization and business transformation.

The new offering integrates Cisco’s SaaS-managed compute and networking infrastructure with the Nutanix Cloud Platform, which includes Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure, Nutanix Cloud Manager, Nutanix Unified Storage, and Nutanix Desktop Services. The solution will offer multiple deployment options with support for Cisco UCS rack and blade servers, including initial support for C-Series Servers and planned, future support for UCS X-Series. The new offering will integrate advanced Cisco servers (UCS), networking and security (ACI), and management (UCS Manager, Intersight) with the Nutanix platform.

“Customers are asking for solutions that are simple, sustainable, and future-ready,” said Jeremy Foster, senior vice president and general manager, Cisco Compute. “This partnership answers with a complete solution spanning virtual compute, networking, and storage across customer data centers and public clouds.”

“As organizations look to keep up with the pace of innovation, they need an integrated hardware and software platform to support application deployment anywhere,” said Tarkan Maner, chief commercial officer at Nutanix. “This partnership will deliver an expanded market opportunity for both organizations as they tackle the challenges of standardizing, simplifying, and securing environments across the data center, in public cloud and the edge.”

Cisco and Nutanix will enable their global sales teams and partners worldwide to offer this new combined solution within the next 90 days, according to a joint statement by the two companies.

Channel Impact^®
IT organizations continue to face significant operational hurdles, including sustainability and security concerns, as a result of increasing multicloud complexity. This new partnership is expected to simplify and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure and applications, at a global scale.

MixMode Launches New Partner Program Supporting Advanced Generative AI for Cyber Defense

MixMode Inc., a Santa Barbara-based company specializing in generative AI cybersecurity solutions for real-time detection and response, has announced its “Paradigm Partner Program,” for VARs, MSPs, GSIs, and Distributors. The new program is intended to help MixMode and its partners to meet accelerated demand for solutions that bolster cybersecurity defenses across complex data environments: cloud, on-prem, or hybrid.

“We have launched this channel-first strategy at MixMode to meet the rising demand from enterprise organizations whose technologies are failing them in the fight against cyber threats,” said Chief Revenue Officer Mark Rotolo. “MixMode’s patented AI generates an evolving alert framework capable of precise real-time detections, uniquely positioning MixMode and its partners to detect and combat the sophisticated cyberattacks of the 21st century including zero-day attacks and ransomware.”

The Paradigm program is structured in three tiers for resellers. The company also offers a managed service partners’ program that includes access to the platform’s multi-tenant capabilities, such as an onboard billing solution.

Other benefits include partner training, co-marketing investments, joint support, and access to a new partner portal that also provides the ability to leverage co-branded vertical technical assets.

Channel Impact^®
The program is designed to open new channels for global customers to harness the company’s AI-based threat detection and response capabilities in both cloud and on-prem environments.