Avast Launches Free Cloud Security Solution for MSPs

Antivirus software provider Avast has released Avast for Business, a cloud security solution that is designed to protect small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) against viruses and cyber attacks. Avast for Business represents the first free information security product built for businesses, Avast said, and solves both budget and security challenges for SMBs.

Luke Walling, Avast’s vice president and general manager for SMB, told MSPmentor that he believes Avast for Business delivers “a natural fit for every service provider.”

He noted that Avast for Business offers managed service providers (MSPs) “a cloud-managed security offering that’s free,” and ultimately, could disrupt the channel.

“[MSPs] can add [Avast for Business] to their service offerings just like a product they’d pay for and benefit from lowering their cost basis to zero on endpoint security. Our free product is really that good. But service offerings don’t have to be paid yet; we’re a fit before the contract is signed as well,” he said.

Avast for Business features:

Avast also said Avast for Business premium services are available, including:

“We believe the time is right to provide great security that is not only free, but also simple for SMBs to implement and manage,” Avast CEO Vince Steckler said in a prepared statement. “A small business may not view their customer database or online orders at the same level as data of an enterprise. Avast for Business addresses the problem of those businesses using consumer products and not being adequately protected; it gives those enterprises a business-class solution they can grow with.”

Avast pointed out that it plans to introduce programs for MSPs and resellers that enable them “to benefit from the power of free.” Additionally, the antivirus software company said it will form its first partner advisory council this spring.

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