Cayosoft, which specializes in Microsoft security and management solutions, this month announced it has inked a multiyear contract with the Internal Revenue Service to provide identity management solutions for the agency's Microsoft environments.
Under the agreement, Cayosoft's software will facilitate identity automation, security and compliance across the IRS for Active Directory, Entra ID and Microsoft 365. The overarching goal of the deal is to modernize legacy IRS systems, which are costly to manage, update and secure. Previously, the IRS worked with an unnamed "legacy vendor" to manage its Microsoft identity products, though it eventually found those tools to be ill-suited to an increasingly cloud-based environment.
"Modernizing infrastructure is a key initiative for the federal government, and we're honored that Cayosoft was selected as a trusted technology partner to support that mission," said Cayosoft CEO Bob Bobel in a prepared statement. "This implementation delivers stronger security, greater efficiency, and the resiliency needed to sustain operations during disruptions."
The IRS contract highlights the increasing focus among federal agencies on bolstering identity governance, as cybersecurity threats targeting government infrastructure continue to rise. Cayosoft's win also comes amid broader federal modernization efforts, including zero trust adoption initiatives outlined last fall by the Office of Management and Budget (PDF).
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 20, 20250 comments
Island.io, which bills itself as the maker of a secure, enterprise-grade browser, has announced a new integration with Ping Identity to enable verified device access.
The partnership connects Island's browser product with Ping's identity management platform to provide continuous device posture verification for Web applications. According to Island's announcement, this approach helps organizations apply conditional access policies based on device trust without relying on traditional endpoint management tools. The idea is to give organizations another way to address challenges around securing applications accessed via unmanaged or bring-your-own devices.
Both Island and Ping are deeply entrenched in the enterprise IT channel. Ping frequently collaborates with system integrators and MSPs to deliver zero-trust architectures. Meanwhile, Island focuses on partnering with enterprise security vendors and service providers to embed its secure browser into existing security ecosystems, including environments where Microsoft technologies are prevalent.
This collaboration between the two companies reflects a growing trend of combining browser security and identity tools to protect hybrid and remote work environments (see, for example, Google Chrome Enterprise's enhanced security controls in collaboration with Menlo Security).
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 18, 20250 comments
Sasken Technologies has partnered with Microsoft to integrate its engineering services with the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), an Android-based platform designed to enhance security and manageability in enterprise devices.
This collaboration, announced last week, follows Sasken's acquisition of Borqs Technologies' Connected Devices business, bolstering its capabilities in embedded systems and IoT solutions.
Through this alliance, Sasken will offer comprehensive product development services -- including hardware design, platform porting, application development and lifecycle support -- on MDEP. The goal is to assist OEMs and ODMs in accelerating the development of secure, collaboration-focused devices.
Microsoft's MDEP provides a standardized Android environment, addressing issues like fragmentation and inconsistent security updates that have historically challenged device manufacturers. MDEP has seen growing adoption among manufacturers such as Jabra, Yealink and Lenovo, which are leveraging the platform to deliver consistent and secure user experiences across their device portfolios.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 16, 20250 comments
A new cybersecurity company focused on securing SMB environments for MSPs is now out of stealth mode.
Launched earlier this month, CyberSentriq aims to provide security services to MSPs with SMB and midmarket customers. The startup, based in London, is backed by private equity firm Bregal Milestone and formed from the earlier merger of security firms TitanHQ and Redstor, which together counted over 3,000 MSPs as customers, reaching 150,000 SMBs globally.
CyberSentriq's offerings include cloud-based backup and recovery, intelligent threat detection, Web and e-mail security (including mitigations for ransomware, malware and phishing attacks), archiving and encryption, and security training.
"MSPs safeguarding the critical SMB economy are underserved and have been let down by vendors out of touch with their day-to-day needs," said James Griffin, CEO of the new company, in a statement. He added,
"[W]e're giving MSPs exactly what they need -- comprehensive protection without compromising quality, partnership, or performance."
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 13, 20250 comments
In a deal between two channel powerhouses, SoftwareOne said Tuesday it expects to complete its acquisition of Norwegian IT consultancy Crayon on July 2, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Per the SoftwareOne announcement, "Each shareholder having accepted the offer will receive NOK 69 in cash [about $6.82 USD] and 0.8233 (rounded down) newly issued shares in SoftwareOne per Crayon share."?
The combined entity is expected to have approximately 13,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. The merged firm will be led by co-CEOs Raphael Erb, a SoftwareOne veteran of 26 years, and Melissa Mullholland, current Crayon CEO and previously a cloud executive at Microsoft.
The merger follows a string of strategic partnerships and acquisitions in the IT services space, as cloud management becomes more complex and competitive. According to Gartner, global spending on public cloud services is projected to exceed $720 billion by the end of this year, making integrated advisory services increasingly vital.
SoftwareOne said it plans to continue operating both brands during a transition period while streamlining overlapping business functions.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 11, 20250 comments
Orchestry and Reality Tech, both Microsoft partners deeply involved in the Microsoft 365 space, have announced a strategic plan to deliver enhanced governance and provisioning solutions for Microsoft 365 users.
Announced Monday, the collaboration seeks to help organizations optimize their Microsoft 365 environments by providing comprehensive tools for management and compliance.
Orchestry is known for its enterprise-grade Microsoft 365 management platform, offering features such as predictive insights and automated governance. Reality Tech, meanwhile, is a provider of digital products and consulting services. As part of their joint strategy, Reality Tech will integrate Orchestry's platform to support clients in managing Microsoft 365 applications, including SharePoint Online, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Lists and Microsoft OneNote.
The partnership is timely, as enterprises increasingly seek more efficient ways to create robust governance frameworks for their Microsoft 365 environments. According to analysis by Paul Schnackenburg, a columnist for RCP sister site Virtualization & Cloud Review, Microsoft 365 is a source of much consternation for organizations grappling with years of lax data governance -- especially as AI tools like Copilot make that data more visible and accessible.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 10, 20250 comments
New York-based MSP Atlantic has acquired Interloop, a Microsoft partner specializing in data analytics, automation and AI. As part of the deal announced Tuesday, Interloop will operate as an inependent offshoot of Atlantic, focusing on transforming client data into strategic assets.
The acquisition enables Atlantic (full name: "Atlantic, Tomorrow's Office") to offer enhanced services, including building what it called "scalable data foundations for automation and AI," using Microsoft Fabric for advanced analytics, and assisting clients in upgrading from legacy systems to modern platforms.
The acquisition of AI-focused Interloop by Atlantic, already an AI-forward MSP, is purpose-built to feed a growing demand among enterprises for integrated solutions that combine managed services with advanced analytics and AI capabilities. A recent IDC report, commissioned by Microsoft, found that 91 percent of organizations are using AI and anticipate more than a 24 percent improvement in customer experience, business resilience, sustainability and operational efficiency due to AI.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 10, 20250 comments
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced the availability of extended multiyear contract lengths -- up to five years -- for offers in its commercial marketplace, whether they're public or private. This update, effective as of June 5, allows customers to lock in pricing and service terms for longer periods, which is useful for organizations that are trying to plan their budgets or simply need their costs to be predictable.
The new contract terms apply to Software as a Service (SaaS) and professional services offers, as well as virtual machine software reservations. Previously, contract durations were limited to shorter terms, but now Microsoft partners can offer one-, two-, three-, four- and five-year agreements. With these extended durations, Microsoft is aiming to appease customers seeking long-term commitments while giving partners more stable revenue streams.
Microsoft's move aligns with the broader industry trend of vendors offering longer-term contracts to meet enterprise demand for predictable costs and service continuity. For instance, Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud have introduced similar multiyear agreements to accommodate customer requirements for long-term planning.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 06, 20250 comments
Austin, Texas-based NinjaOne this week confirmed that its acquisition of Australian cloud backup provider Dropsuite for approximately $270 million is a done deal.
The goal of the deal, according to NinjaOne's announcement, is to corral endpoint, server and SaaS application backups into a single platform. The idea is to simplify operations for MSPs and enterprise IT teams without compromising on data protection.
Dropsuite's services include automated backups for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and real-time e-mail archiving. Integrating these capabilities into NinjaOne's endpoint management platform addresses the growing need for cohesive data protection strategies amid increasing ransomware threats and compliance requirements.
This move follows a broader industry trend of consolidating IT management and data protection solutions. See, for instance, similar notable moves by competitors ConnectWise (which acquired Axcient and SkyKick) and Kaseya (which acquired Datto).
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 06, 20250 comments
Microsoft and CrowdStrike, one of its strategic security partners, have launched a joint effort to make it easier to identify cyber threat actors that have different, vendor-specific names.
Announced earlier this week, the partnership aims to address longstanding naming inconsistencies that can hamstring efforts to quash threats. To do this, the companies plan to create a shared mapping system that links various aliases used by different security vendors to identify the same threat groups -- what CrowdStrike called in its press release a "Rosetta Stone" for cyber threat intelligence.
The goal is to eliminate ambiguity by correlating names like, for example, "Midnight Blizzard" and "Cozy Bear," which refer to the same adversary. By standardizing these names, security teams can, in theory, respond to threats faster and with more efficacy.
The collaboration has already reconciled over 80 threat actor aliases, including Microsoft's "Volt Typhoon" with CrowdStrike's "Vanguard Panda," both attributed to Chinese state-sponsored groups. Similarly, "Secret Blizzard" and "Venomous Bear" have been identified as the same Russia-linked entity.
This effort comes amid increasing concerns over the complexity of cyber threats and the need for unified intelligence. Other major cybersecurity firms, such as Palo Alto Networks and Google's Mandiant, are also joining the initiative to further streamline threat group taxonomy, according to Microsoft's own post.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 04, 20250 comments
Argano, a digital services consultancy based in Plano, Texas, has acquired Anavate Partners, a Phoenix-based firm specializing in cloud-based planning and forecasting solutions, particularly on the Anaplan platform.
The move represents Argano's fourth acquisition in 2025 and its twentieth since it was founded in 2020, according to a press release last month. With Anavate, Argano further solidifies its plan to improve its technical capabilities and broaden its solution portfolio, with the ultimate goal of expanding its global reach.
Anavate brings a strong track record in enterprisewide planning transformation across finance, sales, marketing and supply chain functions. This acquisition follows Argano's recent purchases of Salesforce expert Attentis, SAP expert Netlogistik, and fellow Dynamics 365 specialist Real Dynamics.
The "RCP Channel Briefing" blog is researched, fact-checked, edited and updated by the editors of RCPmag.com, with writing assistance from AI.
Posted by Redmond Channel Partner magazine staff on June 02, 20250 comments