The Microsoft (MSFT) Worldwide Partner Conference 2014 (WPC14) takes place this week in Washington DC and brings together thousands of cloud services providers (CSPs) and managed service providers (MSPs).

WPC14 represents a “who’s who” among CSPs and MSPs, and as a result, it has already become a popular venue for both big and small tech companies to make announcements.

Microsoft CEO Sadya Nadella kicked off the conference this week by welcoming WPC attendees and providing details about his company’s new “mobile-first, cloud-first” strategy.

He also noted Microsoft wants to “rediscover” its soul to achieve more in today’s mobile-first, cloud-first world.

“[WPC] is a bold ambition with massive opportunity for our partners as we design Microsoft experiences that you can creatively extend for every individual and business on the planet. You play a central role in this effort,” Nadella wrote in a letter to Microsoft partners.

Nadella will address WPC attendees again this week, but plenty of news has already broken at the event, including several updates that impact MSPs.

Here are five WPC news items from the event thus far:

1. Cisco invests in Microsoft data centers
Cisco Systems (CSCO) today announced a multi-year agreement with Microsoft designed to modernize data centers through the delivery and acceleration of integrated solutions.

Some of the agreement highlights include:

The Cisco and Microsoft sales teams will work together on cloud and data center opportunities as part of the agreement as well.

2. Cbeyond unveils TotalCloud File Storage
Telecommunications and information technology provider Cbeyond (CBEY) has launched TotalCloud File Storage, a file storage, sharing and backup service for business media and data.

TotalCloud File Storage enables users to access, revise, delete and share files on all of their devices, Cbeyond said.

Two TotalCloud File Storage options are available — Essentials and Enterprise.

Cbeyond Chief Technology Officer Chris Gatch added WPC14 provides small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with a great opportunity to learn about his company’s file storage service.

3. Trend Micro adds security capabilities
Trend Micro is highlighting new Microsoft Cloud and Office 365 security solutions at WPC14.

The company’s new Cloud App Security integrates directly with Office 365 using a Microsoft application programming interface (API) for Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business.

Trend Micro has updated its Hosted Email Security too, and the solution now delivers additional spear phishing protection and hidden malware detection.

“Cloud App Security and Hosted Email Security are unique offerings because they bring Trend Micro’s deep knowledge of the threats we all face to Office 365 without sacrificing usability,” Mark Nunnikhoven, Trend Micro’s vice president for cloud and emerging technologies, told MSPmentor. “Both of these products offer a fantastic balance of usability and security — something that should be top of mind when evaluating any security offering.”

Nunnikhoven added Trend Micro expects to release its Cloud App Security this fall.

4. Barracuda Networks and Microsoft team up to secure Azure
Cloud security and storage company Barracuda Networks (CUDA) yesterday announced a new version of its Web Application Firewall is now available through Microsoft’s Azure Gallery.

The new Barracuda Networks release, version 7.9, includes:

Barracuda Networks said the new release is immediately available at no charge to existing customers subscribing to Energize Updates or who have active virtual appliance licenses.

5. 5nine Software announces new extension
Agentless security provider 5nine Software has announced a new Cloud Security Windows Azure Pack Extension.

The new extension provides multi-layered protection with integrated firewall, antivirus and an intrusion detection system (IDS) in one package, according to the company.

Konstantin Malkov, 5nine Software’s CTO, said his company will host a hands-on demo during WPC14 to showcase the extension.

Check out MSPmentor throughout WPC14 to stay up to date throughout the event.

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