PDI Acquires Cybera and ControlScan Managed Security Services, Expanding into Cloud Security

The company will deliver cybersecurity and networking solutions to multi-site store operators with highly distributed enterprises.

December 18, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PDI (http://www.pdisoftware.com), a global provider of leading enterprise software solutions to the convenience retail and petroleum wholesale industries, announced today that it has acquired Cybera Inc. and ControlScan Managed Security Services (MSS); both are leading providers of managed security solutions to protect customers against cybersecurity threats. The acquisition complements PDI’s existing industry-focused cloud product strategy, bringing customers a fully managed, cloud-based network security solution.

“Security is becoming increasingly important in our industry as many businesses embrace their own digital transformation and deploy more in-store applications and edge devices,” said Jimmy Frangis, CEO at PDI. “We are excited to add these industry-leading solutions from Cybera and ControlScan MSS to our portfolio. We look forward to welcoming their teams, and together we can serve our customers’ needs now and in the future.”

In addition to a growing network of mission-critical applications, this industry has seen a surge in IoT data from the proliferation of edge devices such as POS systems, payments, tank gauges, digital displays and self-service kiosks that capture data and serve as a potential threat vector for would-be cyberattacks. Securing those networks and devices, particularly where distributed enterprises have limited IT staff, is critical to ensure customer trust and loyalty to the brands and locations they operate.

With today’s announcement, PDI expands its global reach and enters the cloud security and software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) space, creating a new line of business called PDI Security Solutions. PDI will be providing convenience retailers, quick-service restaurants (QSR) and other multi-site operators with proven technology and expertise to protect their data, applications, systems and customer experience. Cybera and ControlScan MSS have spent years building their domain expertise, and together will combine to bring:

• Leading, purpose-built security solutions and managed security services to help customers secure their enterprise and consumer experience
• Significant experience serving a variety of customers, from global companies to small business operators
• A unified goal of simplifying the complexity of managing, monitoring and protecting distributed enterprises against cyber threats

“Combining our innovative solutions, teams and expertise with PDI’s proven offerings and commitment to delivering great customer service is a natural fit. We’re excited to be a part of PDI,” said Andrew Lev, CEO at Cybera.

“We look forward to joining PDI and delivering best-in-class managed security services to businesses around the world. As a unified team, we will protect and defend our customers against today’s most significant cybersecurity threats,” said Mark Carl, CEO at ControlScan.

Jefferies LLC and Raymond James Financial Inc. served as exclusive financial advisors to Cybera and ControlScan respectively in connection with the transaction.

About PDI

Professional Datasolutions, Inc. (PDI) helps convenience retailers and petroleum wholesalers thrive through digital transformation and enterprise software that enables them to grow topline revenue, optimize operations and unify their business across the entire value chain. Over 1,500 customers in more than 200,000 locations worldwide count on our leading ERP, logistics, fuel pricing and marketing cloud solutions to provide insights that increase volume, margin and customer loyalty. PDI owns and operates the Fuel Rewards® loyalty program that is consistently ranked as a top-performing fuel savings program year after year. For more than 35 years, our comprehensive suite of solutions and unmatched expertise have helped customers of any size reimagine their enterprise and deliver exceptional customer experiences. For more information about PDI, visit www.pdisoftware.com.

Contacts
Cederick Johnson, PDI 
+1 254.410.7600
cjohnsn@pdisoftware.com

Big News at ControlScan

Sysnet Global Solutions Acquires the Managed Compliance Solutions (MCS) Division of ControlScan, Inc. to Boost SMB Security Worldwide

PDI Announces Definitive Agreement to Purchase Cybera and ControlScan Managed Security Services

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Lung cancer matters, too.  Nobody deserves it.  And, you do not have to smoke to get it. 

This year, nearly 230,000 Americans will be diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  It is the Leading Cause of cancer death in the United States.  It claims more lives annually than either Colorectal, Pancreatic, Breast, or Prostate cancers.  And nearly 20% of those diagnosed with Lung Cancer have never smoked.

Yet, it receives a small fraction of the ​attention and research funding.  

Help fight to change this!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month FaceBook LIVE Event. 10.16.20. 1pm.

For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the National Cyber Security Alliance and Generali Global Assistance North America are coming together to host a FaceBook LIVE event on Friday, October 16th at 1pm Eastern. 

The discussion will cover how important it is that organizations only ask for and collect the data that is essential to run their business. The more data that is collected, the bigger the responsibility is around how the business is protecting it from being exposed to the wrong people, including hackers and unauthorized employees. Additionally, businesses can fall victim to “business identity theft,” where criminals steal your sensitive information to commit various crimes, including tax fraud and holding websites and business trademarks for ransom, etc.

Here is the link for the event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/2945245978913456/

Ongoing Vigilance and Improvements Characterize the State of Cybersecurity in 2020, New CompTIA Report Finds

Organizations say they're on the right track, but know that new strategies and tactics are needed to combat threats

<NOTE: The following is a press release by CompTIA from October 1st, 2020. Highlights in the article are mine.>

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Organizations are building confidence that their cybersecurity practices are headed in the right direction, aided by advanced technologies, more detailed processes, comprehensive education and specialized skills, new research from CompTIA finds.

Eight in 10 organizations surveyed for CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity 2020 report said their cybersecurity practices are improving.

At the same time, many companies acknowledge that there is still more to do to make their security posture even more robust. Growing concerns about the number, scale and variety of cyberattacks, privacy considerations, a greater reliance on data and regulatory compliance are among the issues that have the attention of business and IT leaders.

Two factors – one anticipated, the other unexpected – have contributed to the heightened awareness about the need for strong cybersecurity measures.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has been the primary trigger for revisiting security," said Seth Robinson, senior director for technology analysis at CompTIA. "The massive shift to remote work exposed vulnerabilities in workforce knowledge and connectivity, while phishing emails preyed on new health concerns."

Robinson noted that the pandemic accelerated changes that were underway in many organizations that were undergoing the digital transformation of their business operations.

"This transformation elevated cybersecurity from an element within IT operations to an overarching business concern that demands executive-level attention," he said. "It has become  a critical business function, on par with a company's financial procedures."

As a result, companies have a better understanding of what do about cybersecurity. Nine in 10 organizations said their cybersecurity processes have become more formal and more critical. Two examples are risk management, where companies assess their data and their systems to determine the level of security that each requires; and monitoring and measurement, where security efforts are continually tracked and new metrics are established to tie security activity to business objectives.

The report also highlights how the "cybersecurity chain" has expanded to include upper management, boards of directors, business units and outside firms in addition to IT personnel in conversations and decisions.

Within IT teams, foundational skills such as network and endpoint security have been paired with new skills, including identity management and application security, that have become more important as cloud and mobility have taken hold. On the horizon, expect to see skills related to security monitoring and other proactive tactics gain a bigger foothold. Examples include data analysis, threat knowledge and understanding the regulatory landscape.

Cybersecurity insurance is another emerging area. The report reveals that 45% of large companies, 41% of mid-sized firms and 37% of small businesses currently have a cyber insurance policy. Common coverage areas include the cost of restoring data (56% of policy holders), the cost of finding the root cause of a breach (47%), coverage for third-party incidents (43%) and response to ransomware (42%).

State of Cybersecurity 2020 is based on a survey of workforce professionals at 425 U.S. companies conducted in August and September 2020. The complete report is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/research/cybersecurity-trends-research.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce.  www.comptia.org.

Contact:
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
+1 (630) 678-8468
sostrowski@comptia.org­
www.comptia.org

My birthday is in October. National CyberSecurity Awareness month is in October. Coincidence?

 .....yeah, probably.

But, that doesn't make CyberSecurity Awareness Month any less important!  It all starts with the individual. So, do your part - #BeCyberSmart!

ControlScan is proud to be a 2020 National CyberSecurity Awareness Month Champion Organization.  CSAM Champion Organizations include companies of all sizes, schools and school districts, colleges and universities, nonprofits and government entities, represent those dedicated to promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted Internet.

How vital is cybersecurity awareness for a company’s overall IT security?

HERE is a great article today from HelpNetSecurity.com.  I encourage you to give it a read.

The sub-headlines from the piece:

• Companies do not exploit employees' potential
• Phishing simulations strengthen trust in superiors
• Security awareness makes companies more secure

Did you know that ControlScan offers Security Awareness Training and Social Engineering Testing solutions?

You are protecting yourself during COVID; but, are you protecting your network?

Phishing attacks are up 600% since the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020.  71% of security professionals report increased security threats or attacks during the pandemic, but only 41% say that their companies are utilizing best practices. Are you?

I encourage you to check out the brief video below to learn how ControlScan’s 24/7/365 Security Operations Center can keep you protected at a fraction of the cost of internal capital resources.

Contact me today to learn more.

ControlScan Listed Among Top MSSPs

MSSP Alert 2020 “Top 250 MSSPs” list honors ControlScan alongside MSSPs, MDR service providers and cybersecurity companies worldwide

ATLANTA, Sept. 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ControlScan, a leader in managed security services specializing in compliance, detection and response, announces that MSSP Alert, published by After Nines Inc., has recognized the company on its 2020 Top 250 MSSPs list. Appearing on the list at number 39, ControlScan is ranked among the top 16 percent of managed security service providers (MSSPs) listed.

ControlScan delivers managed security services such as UTM firewall management, as well as a full suite of 24x7 managed detection and response (MDR) solutions that include advanced endpoint security, log event collection and correlation, proactive threat hunting, and more. The company is known for its security-as-a-service (SECaaS) delivery model, which gives the small and mid-sized enterprise (SME) cost-effective access to the same cybersecurity services and technologies as their larger counterparts.

“The managed security service provider market is filled with providers of various size and scale,” said Mark Carl, CEO, ControlScan. “We believe that ControlScan consistently ranks high on the annual Top MSSPs list because of the breadth and depth of services we offer, as well as our strong customer and partner support.”

The Top 250 MSSP rankings are based on MSSP Alert’s 2020 readership survey combined with the digital media site’s global editorial coverage of managed security services providers. The fourth-annual list has expanded from 2019 (200 honorees) and 2018-2017 (100 honorees) amid MSSP Alert’s continued, organic readership growth.  

During the September 17 list announcement call with readers and other industry stakeholders, After Nines Inc. executive VP Joe Panettieri said that this year’s survey garnered responses from 753 organizations in 25 countries. In addition, the average revenue among the Top 250 MSSPs is $19.15 million, up 16% from 2019, he said.

The Top 250 MSSPs 2020 list and associated report are available now on MSSPAlert.com. For more information on ControlScan managed security services, please visit ControlScan.com/MSS.

About ControlScan      
ControlScan managed security and compliance solutions help secure IT networks and protect payment card data. Thousands of businesses throughout the U.S. and Canada partner with us for easy, cost-effective access to the expertise, technologies and services that keep cyber criminals and data thieves at bay. With highly credentialed cybersecurity and compliance experts; 24x7 managed detection and response; managed UTM firewall services; ASV vulnerability scanning; security penetration testing; PCI compliance programs and validation services; QSA and HIPAA assessments; and more, we’ve got your back. For more information visit ControlScan.com.

Press Contact:        
Stacey Holleran
Director, Corporate Communications
678-694-0654

Learn more about me, ControlScan, and our philosophy of cybersecurity by watching this video.

Meet Joe Gaeta. Contact me today!

Things are a bit different in our current business climate without in-person meetings, trade-shows, and other conferences.  To do what we can to compensate, you can take a look at the video below to learn a bit about my role at ControlScan and how we can help your business get secure and stay secure.

You can take a look at our list of services and solutions here.  If you'd like to schedule time on my calendar, you can do so at https://calendly.com/joegaeta.

Joe Gaeta | Territory Account Executive | ControlScan | jgaeta@controlscan.com | (404) 435-7376

ControlScan "Security w/ a Purpose" Podcast Ep. 4: What's the big deal about managed threat detection and response?

ControlScan director of MDR operations Tom Callahan talks with host Jeff Wilder about today’s common data security risks and how managed threat detection and response services—also known as MDR—can add critical coverage to an organization’s cybersecurity efforts.  Listen HERE.

Introducing MDR Essential from CrontrolScan

ControlScan MDR Essential is a new solution that was built with the security and budget conscious consumer in mind. It leverages ControlScan’s existing, award-winning managed threat detection and response solution to provide an essential set of protections and services to our customers, keeping them safe, while not breaking the bank.

MDR Essential is powered by the ControlScan Cyphon(TM) and the CrowdStrike Falcon® platforms.  It provides fundamentally important capabilities as a cost effective 24x7 service, including fully managed, next generation anti-virus and anti-malware technologies; tamper protection to ensure you stay protected, even from advanced attacks; integrated Threat Intelligence managed by our 24x7 Security Operations Centers; and active threat response from malware, ransomware, and behavioral detection. What's more, this is all backed and led by our security operations team in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Watch the video (8m 41s), then visit https://www.controlscan.com/mdr-essential/ to get started.

Agnes Scott College Ranked No. 1 Most Innovative School in the Country for 3rd Consecutive Year by U.S. News & World Report

Decatur, GA, September 14, 2020—For the third year in a row, Agnes Scott College is ranked No. 1 Most Innovative School in the country among national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report in its 2021 edition of Best Colleges. The college placed No. 1 in the nation for First-Year Experience among all colleges and universities for the second consecutive year and ranked No. 2 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, which recognizes institutions where faculty have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. Agnes Scott was also ranked No. 6 as a Social Mobility Top Performer. The college has been recognized for social mobility in prior years as well, a result of its focus on ensuring the academic success of all students—including the large number of first-generation and Pell-eligible students who attend. Agnes Scott was also recognized as a Best Value School among national liberal arts colleges.

The leadership at Agnes Scott attributes these repeat recognitions to SUMMIT, the college’s signature approach to a liberal arts education that provides each student with a course of study, beginning in the first year, that builds leadership capabilities and global competence while preparing students for a lifetime of professional success.

“I am pleased that we have been recognized yet again for our innovation, first-year experiences and top-notch teaching,” said Agnes Scott President Leocadia I. Zak. “At Agnes Scott, we are completely focused on our students and their post-graduate professional success. Our students are why we are here, and no one understands this more than Agnes Scott’s faculty, who are models of teaching excellence,” said Zak. “Our faculty care deeply about teaching and are invested in their role of shaping tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers and game changers. Their passion, creativity and dedication foster the inspired and effective teaching happening in our classrooms. I also want to recognize our amazing staff, who work in partnership with the faculty to deliver our unique SUMMIT experience and ensure our students’ overall academic success.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the Most Innovative Schools ranking identifies “schools that the public should be watching because of the cutting-edge changes being made on their campuses.” This ranking  is based on a peer assessment survey in which college presidents, chief academic officers and deans of admission nominate up to 15 colleges or universities “that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.”

Agnes Scott was listed among the top academic programs in all eight categories. Please see the summary of all Agnes Scott College U.S. News rankings below:

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges guidebook annually. Agnes Scott’s rankings can be viewed here.

ControlScan Partners with CrowdStrike to Deliver Powerful Endpoint Protection to the SMB with MDR Essential

The fully managed solution extends ControlScan Managed Detection and Response services to help smaller businesses access essential endpoint protections

ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ControlScan, a leader in managed security services specializing in compliance, detection and response, today announced general availability of its MDR Essential managed endpoint security service. The new service leverages the ControlScan Cyphon™ and the CrowdStrike Falcon® platforms to deliver fundamentally important endpoint detection, prevention and response capabilities to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).

SMBs often struggle with the entry point to a stronger security posture. Many do not have dedicated security personnel, nor do they have the expertise needed to select and implement effective endpoint security.

“MDR Essential is our point of entry solution for businesses needing to get essential security coverage in place, immediately, without breaking the bank,” said Tom Callahan, director of MDR Operations, ControlScan. “Our partnership with CrowdStrike allows us to further extend the industry-leading Falcon endpoint solution with the talents of our in-house security analysts and our 24x7x365 SOC for MDR.”

The CrowdStrike Falcon platform is the only solution to unify key endpoint security capabilities such as next-generation anti-virus (NGAV), endpoint detection and response (EDR), managed threat hunting, IT hygiene and threat intelligence, all delivered through a single, intelligent, lightweight agent. CrowdStrike’s innovative, cloud-native technology allows organizations to quickly and easily deploy the platform at scale to secure workloads across on-premise, virtualized, and cloud-based environments running on a variety of endpoints on or off the network.

“The increasingly complex threat environment has demonstrated that threat actors are not afraid to take aim at organizations of any size. SMBs are particularly susceptible to cyberattacks, given that they often lack the necessary resources to provide the required protection to secure their assets,” said Matthew Polly, vice president of Worldwide Channels and Business Development, CrowdStrike. “We are proud to partner with ControlScan to bring the powerful endpoint detection and response of the CrowdStrike Falcon platform to the MDR Essential solution. Together, we will fortify the defenses of vulnerable SMBs against devastating attacks so that they may continue to focus on the growth and health of their business.”

MDR Essential is also available as a value add for organizations with merchant portfolios, such as managed service providers (MSPs), value added resellers (VARs) and payments technology providers. Through its partner ecosystem, ControlScan delivers managed endpoint security and other threat detection and response services to hundreds of organizations throughout North America.

Cybersecurity for-the Post-Covid Economy

(You can click on the infographic for a larger view.)
Cybersecurity for-the Post-Covid Economy