The Gately Report: Check Point Betting Big on MSSPs, More Channel Improvements Coming

Check Point Software Technologies is going all in with MSSPs and believes MSSP is the future of the vendor‘s channel.

That’s according to Francisco Criado, vice president of Check Point’s global partner ecosystem organization. He joined the company in March and replaced Frank Rauch, who served more than four years as the vendor’s head of worldwide channel sales.

Criado previously was with TD Synnex and has a long history in distribution.

Last fall, Check Point launched its global MSSP program. It offers an integrated security portfolio, automated processes and access to hundreds of company experts and researchers.

Check Point’s Francisco Criado

“We’re making big bets with MSSP,” Criado said. “I really believe it’s the future. I believe it’s a consumption model that’s going to be relevant for a long time. The analysts say it’s about a $51 billion market; I believe it could be even bigger. We have great technology that now we’ve put into a different consumption model. We have true consumption. There are a lot of vendors that are using pooled licenses, and we have a true MSSP consumption model, which I think is an advantage in the marketplace. You’ll continue to see enhancements; in fact, for our channel ecosystem, expect some pretty significant enhancements when it comes to pricing strategy, go-to-market and ease of doing business with Check Point to really accelerate that opportunity in market.”

Changes Coming for Check Point Partners

Criado said the biggest change partners will see under his leadership is a modernization of the vendor’s channel program and go to market.

“We want to make it easier to do business with Check Point,” he said. “We want to activate all the influencers and the sales cycle. And we want it to be a very simple, clear, predictable model where partners have easy access to consistent market competitive pricing so they can win deals fast with Check Point.”

For the second quarter of 2023, Check Point reported a 3% increase in total revenue — $589 million compared to $571 million for the year-ago quarter. It also reported $238 million in profit, compared to $209 million the year prior.

The vendor also reported increases in total revenue and profit for its first quarter of 2023.

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