A Strategic Evolution from Connectivity to Cybersecurity
The Challenge: From Telecom Roots to Security Needs
Tecnología Altermedios MSS, Inc. didn’t begin as a cybersecurity provider. Their original mission was centered on improving corporate connectivity by delivering cost-effective alternatives to traditional infrastructure, such as X.25 or Frame Relay. It was during this early phase that a WatchGuard firewall caught their attention, not for its security capabilities, but for something far more pressing at the time: VPN management.
“We saw it in a magazine and were intrigued by how it enabled VPNs over broadband,” recalls José Luis Gomes de Faría, CEO of Tecnología Altermedios MSS. “At that time, security was secondary, what we really saw was a tool to help us build a managed connectivity service.”
The company hadn’t yet partnered with any formal cybersecurity vendor. Their attempts to use traditional antivirus software and software-based firewalls left them with fragmented tools that didn’t scale, integrate, or support a long-term vision. What they truly needed wasn’t just a product, it was a platform.
They weren’t conducting a traditional vendor search. Instead, they placed a strategic bet on an emerging technology that offered secure, affordable interconnection for remote offices. WatchGuard’s VPN Manager became the cornerstone of this decision.
The Solution: A Partnership That Grew with the Market
Their decision to reach out to WatchGuard led to an unexpectedly pivotal relationship. “They responded to our outreach at a key moment,” said Gomes de Faría. “They replied, sent us a welcome kit, and invited us to a presentation in Caracas.”
The VPN Manager quickly became an internal game-changer, offering a graphical interface that simplified a process that had previously been highly complex. From that foundation, the company’s services naturally evolved alongside WatchGuard’s product line, first into UTM firewalls, then wireless solutions, and later into full managed security offerings.
“It felt very natural,” Gomes de Faría shared about the learning process. “The documentation was clear, the graphical approach helped a lot, and the technical team was responsive.”
This ease of adoption allowed the company to expand gradually across WatchGuard’s portfolio. As new capabilities became available, Tecnologia Altermedios MSS was ready to integrate them from Wi-Fi and monitoring to AuthPoint identity security and endpoint protection. Their journey mirrored WatchGuard’s product roadmap, including the shift toward XDR and zero trust frameworks.
The Results: Long-Term Growth Built on Strategic Alignment
Since partnering with WatchGuard, Tecnología Altermedios MSS has experienced significant business transformation. “We’ve matured as a company,” said Gomes de Faría. “We went from being telecom integrators to becoming specialized providers of managed cybersecurity services, with clients across different countries and a unified security offering.”
WatchGuard’s platform has enabled them to scale efficiently while maintaining service consistency. Their internal team grew in both expertise and confidence, backed by WatchGuard’s ongoing support.
“Trust and clarity in the strategy have been key. Now more than ever, our visions are aligned: delivering sustainable value to our customers through services, not just products.”
Firebox remains their most-deployed solution, thanks to its stability and ease of use — ideal for distributed environments. AuthPoint has also become integral to their clients’ identity protection strategies. However, what clients appreciate above all is the logic of the entire platform.
“Overall, what our clients value the most is the coherence of the ecosystem and the ability to manage everything from a single console.”
Now operating with nearly the full WatchGuard portfolio, Tecnología Altermedios MSS sees WatchGuard not just as a vendor, but as the cornerstone of its business model.
“WatchGuard is not just our main vendor but the foundation on which we build our MSSP business model.”
“Thanks to WatchGuard, we’ve been able to develop long-lasting client relationships, many of which have lasted 5, 10, 15, and even 20 years based on mutual trust, timely responses, and a clear value proposition that has stood the test of time,” concluded Gomes de Faría.