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Microsoft MISA Security Software Group Embraces MSSPs, MDR Partners

The Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) is opening its arms to MSSPs (managed security services providers) and MDR (managed detection and Response) partners, the cloud and software giant confirmed ahead of the Microsoft Inspire 2020 virtual partner conference.

Eran Barak, principal program manager, Microsoft
Eran Barak, principal program manager, Microsoft
Mandana Javaheri,

The MISA is an independent ecosystem of software vendors that have integrated their solutions to better defend partners and customers from cyberattacks, Microsoft says. Rough 133 organizations are now MISA members, up from 57 last year.

Noted Mandana Javaheri, global director of cybersecurity solutions group at Microsoft:

“MISA members are the cybersecurity industry leaders, unified by the common goal of helping secure our customers by offering their own valuable expertise and making the association more effective as it expands.”

Many of the third-party ISV solutions integrate with Microsoft Azure Sentinel (cloud-based SIEM), Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection, Azure Security Center, and plenty more.

Microsoft MISA: MSSP Pilot Program Members

Rani Lofstrom

So where do MSSPs fit into the conversation? The answer emerged today. MISA is now launching an invitation-only pilot program for select MSSPs, Rani Lofstrom, senior product marketing manager, Microsoft Security, confirmed in a blog. Many of those pilot program members rank among the world's Top 200 MSSPs -- as identified annually by MSSP Alert.

The pilot program MSSP list includes:

In a prepared statement about MISA's MSSP pilot program, Eran Barak, principal program manager, Microsoft Threat Protection, said:

“Today we’re happy to bring a win-win-win offering by enabling MSSPs and managed detection and response partners to sell and deploy not just Microsoft’s security solutions but more importantly our joint solutions with our independent software vendor partners.”

Microsoft Also Embraces Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs)

Meanwhile, Microsoft has also been building an MSP-related partner program in the Azure cloud ecosystem. That effort, known as Azure Expert MSPs, includes dozens of the world's Top 200 Public Cloud MSPs, according to ChannelE2E.

Check ChannelE2E's ongoing coverage of the Microsoft Inspire conference here.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.