New Zealanders lose an average of $22,708 every hour to online scams. This is according to research by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which reflects a worrying increase of 66% compared to the previous year.
When you consider that 88% of data breaches in businesses are caused by human error, the fact that individuals are vulnerable means businesses are in the crosshairs of threat actors. This is especially true for those smaller businesses without massive resources to pour into cybersecurity teams and solutions.
These trends therefore create a paradox for SMBs. On the one hand, participating in the digital economy is not optional; on the other, what kind of business has the resources to guarantee its ability to handle an attack, as much as guarantees are even possible?
With the rise in cybercrime, channel partners and independent software vendors (ISVs) have been thrust to the forefront of helping businesses strengthen their posture.
Within the traditional channel, there is a disconnect between what these managed security service providers (MSSPs) and ISVs want to deliver to their customers—full-suite services and strategic engagement—and what their distributors offer. In many cases, distributors still treat cyber security technology as a product to sell, rather than a comprehensive and long-term engagement. This mindset creates a gap in what many partners can offer customers.
And that is why the Crayon difference is all the more significant.
The cybersecurity challenges facing SMBs
To put into context just how significant the threat to SMBs is, nearly 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, yet only 14% of them are prepared to defend themselves against such threats.
The lack of preparedness is not from the lack of awareness. While that is a concern in its own right, close to 50% of SMBs are fully informed about cyber risk. In most cases, the reason for the vulnerability comes down to, simply, resourcing.
Technologies like AI and cloud computing—the kinds of technologies that SMBs want to invest in as part of their digitisation strategy—play a key role in driving business efficiency, but without the proper security measures, they become potential entry points for cyberattacks.
What SMBs need is the proper support of a full security supply chain, from vendor to partner, supporting them.
How Crayon empowers channel partners to strengthen cybersecurity
Crayon has long recognised the unique cybersecurity challenges that channel partners and SMBs face. To address these needs, Crayon developed a robust cybersecurity stack that goes beyond offering security products and allows the security solutions rolled out for SMBs to be strategic, comprehensive, and cohesive. Crayon’s approach emphasises not only providing the right tools but also delivering the expertise and guidance channel partners need to succeed, no matter how big or small they are.
Crayon partners with 20 security vendors across all categories, from endpoint protection to cyber threat intelligence. This broad portfolio allows channel partners to offer a comprehensive solutions portfolio tailored to their customers’ needs. Crayon’s security stack includes three dedicated security assessment services that are applicable to cyber security best practices across the Asia Pacific—cloud security, Essential Eight, and Azure risk mitigation—providing partners with the resources to assess and strengthen their customers’ cybersecurity postures.
Over the past year, Crayon has continued to expand its cybersecurity offerings, adding nine new vendors to its New Zealand partner ecosystem. This ensures that channel partners always have access to the latest cybersecurity tools and services.
But Crayon’s value proposition goes beyond just the technology; it also offers a security-focused guidance team to its partners called the Technology Advisory Group. This sets Crayon apart from other distributors by allowing it to provide strategic insights and tailored solutions that specifically address each partner’s unique challenges.
Meanwhile, for ISVs, Crayon offers an additional resource, the ISV Innovation Hub, which supports its software partners in scaling their operations and monetizing their cybersecurity offerings more effectively.
Finally, these are also all resources that are supported by boots on the ground in New Zealand, with Crayon having a full commitment to its partners in the country.
Rhonda Robati, Executive Vice President of Crayon Asia Pacific, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering channel partners.
“At Crayon, we are committed to providing our partners with not only a comprehensive cybersecurity stack but also the expertise and enablement programs needed to help them become their customers’ end-to-end IT provider,” she says. “By collaborating closely with each partner to help them be more strategic, we’re elevating their role as trusted advisors with the knowledge and resources to address pressing cybersecurity challenges. This lets them enjoy substantial cut-through, especially at the smaller end of town, where businesses are less concerned about technology than simply having solutions to their challenges.”
The rate of cyber attacks is not going to decline. Now powered by AI and automation, threat actors can scale their efforts exponentially. But this doesn’t mean that organisations—even SMBs—need to re-assess the value of their efforts online.
Crayon has stepped in to develop a model where its partners can access all the licensing and services they need to deliver robust technology and expertise to address modern challenges. With the support of Crayon’s extended service suite, partners can build thriving cybersecurity practices that unlock significant value and opportunity for their customers.