CrowdStrike expands MSSP push across Japan & Asia Pacific

CrowdStrike has expanded its managed security service provider strategy across Japan and Asia Pacific, extending its partnerships with Dicker Data and Otsuka Corporation.

The distributor-led model is designed to widen access to the Falcon platform for small and medium-sized businesses by helping partners recruit and onboard managed security service providers at scale. It also adds flexible billing through distributor marketplaces, allowing providers to package and deliver managed services more quickly.

The move reflects a broader push to reach smaller businesses through channel partners rather than direct sales. Distributors will take a larger role in signing up and enabling managed service providers, which can then sell security services to customers that may lack in-house security teams.

Small and medium-sized businesses have become a larger focus for cybersecurity vendors as attacks rise and buyers increasingly seek outsourced protection. Many of these companies face tighter budgets and have fewer specialist staff than larger organisations, driving demand for managed services.

CrowdStrike cited Canalys research showing that for every $1 of Falcon platform sales, partners can generate up to $7 in services revenue. The figure highlights the economics behind the company's channel approach, as distributors and service providers pursue recurring revenue from security monitoring, support and response services built around software sales.

Jon Fox, Vice President of Channels and Alliances for CrowdStrike Japan and Asia Pacific, said the regional partner network would play a central role in broadening the company's reach.

"Distributors and MSSPs are pivotal to scaling CrowdStrike's reach across JAPAC and helping organisations modernise their security for the AI era," Fox said. "Budget constraints, complexity, and resource limitations continue to challenge businesses, with SMBs experiencing these challenges at greater scale. Together with our partners, we are expanding access to the AI-powered protection that enables organisations to stay focused on their core business."

Channel focus

Dicker Data's role reflects the importance of distribution partners in markets where large numbers of resellers and service providers need support with onboarding, billing and service delivery. Through an aggregation model, vendors can work with a smaller number of distributors while still expanding their reach among local managed service firms.

This is particularly relevant across Asia Pacific, where the cybersecurity market is fragmented and buying patterns vary widely between countries. Local distributors often provide the commercial infrastructure and partner relationships needed to reach mid-market and smaller customers.

"Cybersecurity continues to be a key growth driver for the ICT channel, with many SMBs needing access to additional capabilities to defend against modern threats," said Vlad Mitnovetski, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Dicker Data. "Together with CrowdStrike, we're enabling MSSPs to deliver AI-powered protection that helps businesses strengthen security and reduce complexity in an increasingly challenging threat landscape."

Japan expansion

In Japan, Otsuka Corporation is part of the same regional effort, offering a service that combines CrowdStrike's Falcon platform with support from its own security operations centre. Its Rakuraku EDR Premier service brings together endpoint detection and response tools with SOC support from the Tayoreru Security Operation Centre.

Japan has been an important growth market for global cybersecurity suppliers, but reaching smaller businesses often requires local partnerships and packaged services. Managed offerings can help overcome barriers such as limited technical staff, procurement complexity and the operational demands of running security software in-house.

"Otsuka Corporation welcomes CrowdStrike's MSSP go-to-market expansion across the region to provide customers with security services that deliver real value," said Yoshihiro Tokura, Managing Corporate Officer, Otsuka Corporation. "Through our partnership with CrowdStrike, we are enabling SMBs to seamlessly strengthen their security with our Rakuraku EDR Premier service, which combines the Falcon platform with SOC support services from our Tayoreru Security Operation Centre. By delivering the AI-powered protection required to defend against today's cyber threats, together we are helping SMBs focus on growing their businesses."

The expanded model underscores how major cybersecurity suppliers are relying more heavily on distributors and managed service providers to reach smaller customers across the region, where demand for outsourced security services continues to grow.