Unlocking the Future of MSSP Operations with Cisco CDO APIs

In today's hyper-connected world, businesses are perpetually exposed to digital threats. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) play a pivotal role in safeguarding organizations against these evolving cybersecurity challenges. However, MSSPs themselves face significant hurdles, including operational complexity and escalating costs. To thrive in this competitive landscape, MSSPs must leverage cutting-edge technologies to drive business growth, enhance productivity, and reduce expenses.

Enter Cisco Defense Orchestrator (CDO), a cloud-based management platform designed to simplify the management of Cisco secure firewalls across various form factors, from cloud to hardware. Building on this robust foundation, Cisco has introduced new CDO RESTful APIs, empowering MSSPs to programmatically interact with CDO and unlock unprecedented levels of operational efficiency.

Six Easy Ways MSSPs Can Harness the Power of CDO APIs

1. API endpoints for MSSPs

CDO now provides MSP-specific APIs to simplify tenant management. The initial suite of CDO MSP API endpoints includes capabilities for onboarding new CDO tenants, adding tenants to the CDO MSSP Portal, assigning admin users to CDO tenants, and integrating Active Directory groups with tenants. These endpoints enable MSSPs to automate and streamline their operations, ensuring efficient and seamless management of multiple tenants.

2. Full Stack Interaction Using APIs

Streamline firewall management with CDO APIs, which offer extensive endpoints to interact with CDO, Cloud-delivered FMC (cdFMC), and managed FTDs. This integration significantly simplifies programmability, eliminating the need for DevSecOps teams to switch between FTD and FMC APIs. CDO's Proxy Request endpoints to cdFMC automate workflows, while the RESTful nature of CDO APIs reduces the learning curve for partners.

Proxy Request to Cloud-Delivered FMC in CDO

3. Automate Workflows for Enhanced MTTR

CDO APIs enable the automation of incident responses, improving Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) for alert triage, investigation activities, and response times. Automated systems can monitor security events, conduct near real-time threat analysis, and execute predefined playbooks around the clock, minimizing the need for manual intervention and enhancing MTTR.

4. Integration with Third-Party Systems

APIs serve as bridges between different systems. MSSPs can leverage CDO APIs to integrate with their customers' security and management systems, creating a cohesive ecosystem. This integration facilitates seamless collaboration between MSSPs and their customers' IT teams, enhancing threat investigation and triaging capabilities.

5. Lifecycle Management of Firewalls

Centralized management of multiple firewalls from a single location empowers MSSPs to scale effortlessly. CDO APIs cover a wide range of firewall management use cases, including onboarding new devices, bulk configuration changes, and updating and upgrading images. Robust reporting and auditing processes can be automated to meet various use cases, further streamlining operations.

6. Reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Automation of repetitive tasks enhances workflow efficiency and reduces human errors. By freeing up security analysts from mundane tasks, MSSPs can allocate valuable human resources to higher-level tasks that require critical thinking and strategic decision-making. This shift not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces TCO.

Seize the Opportunity

The Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) market is poised for significant growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030. Gartner predicts that over 35% of in-house IT teams managing branch office firewalls will transition to FWaaS by 2027. To capitalize on this burgeoning market, MSSPs can reduce operational expenses (OPEX) and enhance effectiveness by leveraging Cisco CDO APIs for firewall lifecycle management, third-party system integration, and incident response automation.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to revolutionize your MSSP operations. Embrace the power of Cisco CDO APIs and position your business for success in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

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Additional Resources

• Overview - CDO API Documentation - Cisco DevNet
• GitHub - CiscoDevNet/ansible-cisco-cdo
• Module Overview - Automating Cisco Defense Orchestrator - Cisco DevNet Learning Labs Center

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