WatchGuard MDR: Simplifying 24/7 Security For MSPs

Cyberattacks are coming from every direction—endpoint, cloud, identity, network—and partners are expected to stop them all. That’s why MDR has become essential.

CRNtv host Sydney Neely speaks with Adam Winston, field CTO for managed services at WatchGuard, about how the company is helping partners strengthen security and grow their services through its expanded MDR offering.

Why MDR, Why Now?

Sydney: Not every partner has the resources to build or run a full security operations center. How does WatchGuard MDR help level the playing field?

Adam: We’re not asking people to build a security operations center—we’re asking them to stop trying. Too many partners are burning resources chasing 24/7 coverage, digging through noise and falling behind on the basics like patching, configuration and hygiene.

WatchGuard MDR levels the playing field by pulling partners out of that critical path and placing our global team on the front lines. We stop threats before they become breaches—without requiring partners or their staff to join the war room. That allows them to focus on the defenses that matter most.

It gives them room to address configuration gaps, manage patches and handle the issues that tend to fall through the cracks.

Expanding Protection With Total MDR

Sydney: With Total MDR covering multiple attack surfaces, how does that change what partners can offer their customers?

Adam: Total MDR gives partners something they’ve never truly had before: full-spectrum, platform-driven defense across identity, endpoint, network and cloud. It’s unified, it’s managed and most importantly—it’s accessible.

It’s not just about coverage; it’s about clarity. We simplify deployment, offer competitive pricing and provide real experts who are just a message or call away—no hold music, no faceless email chains.

We know customers will get hit. And when they do, they need someone on the other end who can walk them through it. They don’t just need a system to stop the threat—they need people to help them understand what’s happening.

Driving Revenue and Trust

Sydney: How are you seeing partners turn MDR into a revenue stream or use it to enhance existing service offerings?

Adam: Partners are already excellent consultants and technicians. They’re delivering complex cybersecurity projects and integrating powerful tools. But building a SOC comes with two major hurdles: hosting and hiring.

WatchGuard removes those barriers. If a partner is already running our EDR, they can simply add a license. That immediately unlocks 24/7 detection and response through WatchGuard Cloud—without additional infrastructure.

That kind of protection drives annual recurring revenue for partners. It adds long-term value to their services and strengthens the business overall, thanks to strong margins and predictability.

Learn how to grow your services with WatchGuard MDR. Visit WatchGuard.com/wgrd-partners.