Utilize has expanded its managed security offering with SonicWall's unified cyber platform, extending the arrangement to more than 14,000 users.
The UK-based managed services provider can now manage more than 1,200 SonicWall firewalls from a central platform under the expanded relationship. Utilize and SonicWall have worked together for about two decades.
Utilize sells IT support on a per-user, per-month basis, a model it says helps organisations adopt technology without large upfront spending. Central to that approach is its ASCEND technology roadmap, which sets out planned IT investment, delivery timing and costs against business goals.
Security demand
The latest expansion is aimed at meeting broader security demands from customers operating across office, hybrid and remote environments. That includes protecting networks, endpoints and remote workers while keeping costs under control.
Platform use
For firewall administration, Utilize uses SonicWall's Network Security Manager, including Zero-Touch Deployment and Unified Management. It also uses SonicSentry managed detection and response for round-the-clock threat monitoring, and Cloud Secure Edge to support a Zero Trust security model.
Billing integration with Halo PSA has also reduced operational complexity for Utilize, helping streamline internal workflows as the managed services provider scales its security services.
MSP pressure
The deal reflects sustained demand among managed service providers for consolidated security tools that can be managed centrally across dispersed customer estates. It also highlights pressure on providers to combine monitoring, deployment and billing systems in ways that limit administrative overhead.
Utilize serves customers across multiple industries and said the partnership has helped improve security in hybrid and remote environments while supporting compliance requirements and different technology purchasing models. It added that the setup has shortened deployment times and improved consistency in how protections are applied.
Andy Portlock, Group Revenue Director, Utilize, described the relationship as a long-running collaboration rather than a standard supplier arrangement.
"Our relationship with SonicWall has gone far beyond the usual customer-vendor dynamic. The company has consistently adapted its solutions to match our ambitions, making them a genuine part of our journey rather than just a provider," said Andy Portlock, Group Revenue Director, Utilize.
Partner focus
SonicWall used the announcement to highlight Utilize's operating model as an example of how managed service providers are trying to expand security services without adding excessive complexity. The vendor has been increasing its focus on partners that deliver security as part of broader outsourced IT contracts.
"Utilize has shown exactly how MSPs can grow smartly, expanding security services while keeping operations lean. We're proud to support their success with technology that makes that possible, and we look forward to what comes next," said Spencer Starkey, Executive Vice President, SonicWall EMEA.
Portlock said the emphasis remained on outcomes for customers rather than product sales.
"It's not about selling products; it's about delivering results our customers can rely on. Thanks to SonicWall, we provide security, efficiency, and tangible value across every industry we serve," added Portlock.