McAfee, Intel Prep DeepSafe & SaaS Security Partner Updates

By samdizzy

McAfee Channel Chief Alex Thurber says McAfee (working with parent Intel) will share more details about the DeepSafe strategy at the McAfee Worldwide Partner Conference (part of the McAfee Focus event) in October 2011. At the conference, McAfee will also offer updates that help VARs and MSPs to generate monthly recurring revenues from SaaS, while also introducing new managed security service provider opportunities along the way, Thurber says.

But what exactly are DeepSafe’s potential benefits to channel partners? And how can McAfee partners profit from cloud security? Thurber shared more clues in our weekly FastChat Video podcast (left). The podcast includes three executive interviews:

DeepSafe Teaser

McAfee and Intel started talking up DeepSafe during the recent Intel Developers Forum (Sept. 13-15, San Francisco). According to McAfee, DeepSafe delivers:

When Intel acquired McAfee in 2010, Talkin’ Cloud and our sister sites largely viewed the move as Intel’s attempt to safeguard the next generation of computing — everything from mobile technologies to cloud data centers. In short, Intel didn’t want traditional Windows viruses and malware plaguing next-generation sales opportunities.

Partner Program Moves

Meanwhile, Thurber has been a steadying force since arriving at McAfee from Cisco Systems in 2009. Cisco is known for its channel partner loyalty. And Thurber’s channel DNA has gradually erased lingering partner concerns about McAfee’s old direct sales model. By early 2011, Thurber declared that channel partners ranked among McAfee’s top five priories — company-wide — for the security firm.

By August 2011, McAfee had bolstered partner margins while also enhancing its deal registration capabilities. Around the same time, Cisco channel veteran Lang Tibbils joined McAfee to help bolster channel marketing and communications.

But perhaps McAfee’s smartest move in recent years was a non-move. Specifically, McAfee maintained the MX Logic partner program components after acquiring MX Logic in 2009. MX Logic had an effective SaaS partner program in place. McAfee’s commitment to those MX Logic partners has generated strong channel loyalty, with organizations like SpamSoap working incredibly closely with McAfee over the past few years.

Still, rival security software companies — everyone from Symantec to Trend Micro and Sophos — have adapted their partner programs to include SaaS and cloud security opportunities.

So what is Thurber working on next? No doubt, DeepSafe and SaaS partner programs will be involved, and you can bet more specific details will arrive at McAfee Partner Focus.