CrowdStrike and Dell Launch an AI-Driven Unified Security Vision for Enhanced Protection

Dell and CrowdStrike are joining forces to enhance cybersecurity for businesses by leveraging AI to combat generative AI threats, stealth social engineering, and endpoint attacks. By integrating CrowdStrike's Falcon extended detection and response (XDR) platform into its managed detection and response (MDR) service, Dell aims to empower its global network of resellers with advanced AI technologies to defend against cyber threats.

Extended detection and response (XDR) platforms consolidate an organization’s diverse data sources, utilizing APIs and an open architecture to aggregate and analyze telemetry data. This access to real-time data from endpoints, email, network, and web applications significantly improves attack detection and response capabilities. XDRs represent a prime application of AI in cybersecurity.

By incorporating CrowdStrike’s Falcon XDR platform, Dell is equipping its resellers with the tools necessary for customers to enhance their cybersecurity posture. These resellers can now offer tailored services grounded in CrowdStrike's XDR capabilities.

Mihir Maniar, Vice President of Infrastructure, Edge, and Security Services at Dell Technologies, stated, “Partnering with industry leaders like CrowdStrike is essential for providing our customers with the choice and flexibility needed in today’s complex security landscape.”

The Surge in AI Threats

Recent statistics show a surge in nation-state and activist attackers, leveraging generative AI to perpetrate sophisticated attacks, such as deepfake videos that mislead financial institutions. These developments have raised alarms across various sectors.

Traditional perimeter-based security measures are increasingly ineffective, as attackers target more vulnerable sectors, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing. Alarmingly, 75% of attacks were malware-free, complicating detection efforts. Furthermore, the average breakout time for eCrime activities has decreased from 79 minutes in 2022 to 62 minutes in 2023.

Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer at CrowdStrike, emphasized the partnership's value: “Combining our Falcon platform, which is designed to prevent breaches, with the right services simplifies cybersecurity for organizations of all sizes.”

An AI Arsenal Against Cyber Threats

Dell’s reseller community includes many organizations susceptible to cyberattacks, such as local governments and small healthcare providers, often with limited cybersecurity budgets. These entities frequently become targets for ransomware and data theft due to their perceived vulnerabilities.

Applying AI within MDR services has proven effective in preventing breaches, making it an essential resource for small to mid-sized businesses.

A notable success story comes from Las Vegas, where the city’s Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, Michael Sherwood, shared how their use of MDR effectively thwarted an attempted breach: “Through our collaborative efforts and AI-based insights, we experienced no data loss or significant issues and resumed normal operations within 24 hours.”

CrowdStrike Expands Its XDR Reach

Cybersecurity software, hardware, and services generated nearly $80 billion in revenue last year, with partnerships yielding profits of $2 in services for every $1 from software and hardware. Canalys predicts that channel services will continue to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years.

"CrowdStrike is outpacing the overall cybersecurity market," said Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Canalys. "It has become one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the channel over the past several years."

With a significant portion of its revenue reliant on partnerships, CrowdStrike is likely to invest further in alliances. The collaboration with Dell not only enhances Dell’s reseller channel but also broadens CrowdStrike’s customer outreach.

“CrowdStrike empowers partners to help businesses of all sizes prevent breaches. Our AI-native platform and dedicated team are designed for long-term customer success,” added Bernard.

The Future of AI in Cybersecurity

The future of AI security lies in the synergy between human intelligence and AI’s data-processing capabilities. Relying solely on data can compromise a business’s security posture against cyber threats. Modern cybersecurity requires more than real-time telemetry alerts; MDR incorporates essential human insights to navigate potential threats, whether they arise from manual attacks or advanced automated systems utilizing generative AI.