McAfee, the world’s largest dedicated security technology company, has announced its Managed Service Provider (MSP) program, ensuring that partners have access to the tools, training and resources required to grow a successful managed security services business.

“We are seeing tremendous growth in the managed service market fueled by customer demand for reduced IT complexity and lower cost. McAfee has been in the managed services business for more than a decade. Our new MSP program leverages our extensive managed services experience, and provides partners access to the industry’s broadest portfolio of cloud-based and on-premise managed security services via a globally consistent and scalable program,” said Gavin Struthers, Senior Vice-President of worldwide channels at McAfee.

McAfee provides a scalable, ‘pay-as-you-go’, monthly subscription security services program, whether on-premise or cloud-based. Particularly suited to the requirements of small to medium-sized businesses, the McAfee Managed Service Provider program offers protection for endpoints, servers and networks, virtual environments and mobile devices, as well as the industry’s largest security Software as a Service (SaaS) portfolio. Protection can be managed centrally through the McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator or alternatively via the McAfee SaaS management console. Centralized security management allows for remote administration of McAfee software, as well as SaaS solutions, which meets the needs of SMBs that often have restricted resources.

The McAfee MSP program is an expansion of the McAfee SecurityAlliance Partner program, and aims to address the diverse security needs of customers by offering three separate program categories, including resale, services, and technology.

The worldwide market for security solutions in the SMB segment is estimated at around $5.1B and continues to grow at a rate of about 9% on an annual basis, according to AMI Partners. SMBs are uniquely positioned in being potentially vulnerable to cyber threats, yet often unable to afford high-priced IT and security talent on-site. McAfee is a cost-effective provider that delivers proactive and proven solutions and services to SMBs. Backed by its unrivaled Global Threat Intelligence, McAfee creates innovative products that empower businesses by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security.

The McAfee MSP program is available through authorized distributors in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Nordics, the UK, and the U.S., and will be made available to other countries and distributors throughout the course of 2012.