Avast Business looks to Westcoast to deliver UK channel growth

Avast Business has inked its “largest distribution” deal with Westcoast as the cyber security player looks to expand its channel reach.

Under the terms of the relationship, the distributor will handle all the vendor’s on-premise antivirus software, with plans to get the technology into the hands of more MSPs and MSSPs.

The Westcoast deal gives Avast Business an opportunity to consolidate its channel approach around a two-tier model, with Westcoast bringing potential access to 9,000 more partners across the UK.

Avast is reacting to the changes that have been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic with the view that the modern workforce will need more security support.

For Westcoast, the relationship makes sense because it adds more depth to its security offering and arms it with more options to take out to the growing managed services market.

“Cyber security is the number one issue on the desk of every CIO in the UK – that’s every business, including all those serviced by Westcoast’s army of partners,” said Alex Tatham, managing director at Westcoast. “Our partnership with Avast will enhance our security offering and provide a new line of business to our already outstanding software capability.

“We have no competing offering and hence will put all of Westcoast’s considerable energy and enthusiasm behind this new relationship, helping Avast Business consolidate its channel and allowing our reseller customers to offer the very best products in the market.”

Marc Botham, vice-president of worldwide channel and alliances at Avast Business, said current market conditions presented opportunities for the firm and its channel.

“We have a responsibility as a cyber security company to protect the vulnerable from opportunistic cyber criminals,” he said.

From a product point of view, Avast has been reacting to the Covid-19 world and back in September launched its Secure Private Access offering, providing zero-trust network access to medium and large firms through MSSPs.

Botham said that, traditionally, SMEs fell into the “vulnerable” category because of their lack of budget, resources and personnel. 

“The partnership with Westcoast will help us to reach the UK market at scale and serve these businesses with affordable, enterprise-grade products, as well as sharing expertise on how to become more cyber resilient through Westcoast’s new cyber division, Westcoast Cyber,” he added.