Video: 10 Minute IT Jams - An update from LastPass with Katherine Rojas

Passwords are still a problem for many businesses.

Catherine Rojas, the Partner Sales Director for Asia-Pacific at LastPass, believes the solution to cyber security is to start with something simple: managing passwords. LastPass, a leader in cloud security technology, has built its reputation on providing easy-to-use password and identity management solutions, helping clients protect their sensitive information without hassle.

Rojas spoke about the increasingly complex digital landscape and how LastPass fits in. "LastPass is an enterprise software solution that addresses the number one cause for data breaches, which is the compromise credential crisis that we face today," she explained. According to recent research by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, more than half of all data breaches in Australia stemmed from compromised credentials.

LastPass's approach is to provide organisations with tools that take human error out of the equation, she said. "By using an enterprise password management solution, organisations can automate and simplify the creation, storage and sharing of passwords for their corporate applications," Rojas outlined. The platform also empowers IT teams to monitor and improve user password practices by allocating each user a personalised security score.

Working hand in hand with IT teams and other key players in the cyber security ecosystem, LastPass wants to be more than just another line item in a technology stack. "We take a very agnostic approach towards password management which allows our channel partners and in turn their customers the flexibility and scalability to build on and change their ever-evolving technology stack without ever compromising user access or creating credential vulnerability," Rojas said.

As companies strive for higher state-of-the-art security, LastPass is investing in what it calls the "pervasive passwordless protection roadmap." Rojas explained the significance: "This extends beyond securing the current state of using and sharing passwords. We look to support our customers in the future by moving away from passwords altogether."

The transition away from passwords is already under way, as several applications on the market now rely on passkeys and other advanced authentication methods. However, Rojas acknowledges that this switch will take time. "There'll be this hybrid model where the pervasive passwordless protection is able to support those customers as they embark on this journey," she added.

The strength of LastPass's offering, according to Rojas, comes not just from software, but from the company's network of partners. "At LastPass we see our channel partners as a key pillar of our go to market strategy. LastPass works best when we are integrated as part of an overall technology stack and our partners are the trusted advisors to customers," she said.

She observed that the days of simply reselling isolated security tools are largely gone. Today, customers are seeking guidance and expertise from managed service providers who can not only help them select technologies, but also "support, integrate and scale the functionality of those solutions as they evolve over time," Rojas said. "As a vendor this is the most important value proposition that our channel partners bring to the table."

In recognition of this, LastPass has recently made significant investments to support its channel-centric commitments. Rojas announced, "In April this year we launched the LastPass Allegiance partner program." The aim, she said, was simplicity: "One contract for all of our partners, one portal to access with everything that our partners need to support their business."

She outlined a suite of partner benefits, including sales and technical accreditation, deal registration and protection, demo licences for technical engineers, and marketing development funds to help partners generate demand. "We'll also be working on building marketing campaigns in a box for our partners that they can leverage if they wish to run their own marketing campaigns around LastPass," she said. The partner support team, based in both Australia and Singapore, is on hand to assist in sales, pre-sales and marketing across the region.

The Allegiance partner programme was designed with flexibility in mind, catering to different types of partners. "We define partners in a couple of different ways," Rojas explained. "We have our solution partners, which are more traditional resale channel partners who are looking to design, sell and implement LastPass as part of their cyber security offering. We also have our MSP partners, who want to offer an end-to-end managed service for their clients."

Technology and development partners are also included in the programme, with opportunities to integrate and promote LastPass offerings at scale. "The programme will evolve over time as well, so as we continue to invest and collaborate with our partners, we'll see further opportunities for continued mutual growth," Rojas said. "Yeah, watch this space."

For organisations or potential partners interested in learning more, Rojas said it is "very simple" to get information on the partner programme. "There is a section specifically on our partners where you'll be able to access any information or just make a simple enquiry and one of our team will be able to reach out and have a further discussion."

Asked what excites her most about these developments, Rojas summed up the company's vision and ongoing evolution. "Exciting things to come. The programme will evolve over time as well, so as we continue to invest and collaborate with our partners, we'll see further opportunities for continued mutual growth," she said. "Yeah, watch this space."