Climb expands Fortra distribution deal across UK & Ireland

Climb Channel Solutions has signed a distribution agreement with Fortra covering Ireland and the UK, extending an existing relationship into both markets.

The agreement gives Climb the right to distribute Fortra's cybersecurity and software products across the two countries, adding to its regional security portfolio. It also expands a partnership that began in North America.

Climb, which has operations in Sandyford, said the move comes as customers and channel partners seek to simplify their security estates. Businesses are also facing growing pressure linked to artificial intelligence adoption, data governance and regulatory compliance.

Fortra sells products spanning data security, brand protection, exposure management and adversary emulation. Demand is shifting towards approaches that put data, rather than infrastructure alone, at the centre of security planning.

That shift has implications for resellers and managed service providers, which are increasingly being asked to offer fewer tools with broader coverage. Vendors and distributors have been responding by expanding their portfolios and promoting more integrated platforms.

The UK and Ireland expansion follows growth in Fortra's North American business under an earlier agreement signed in 2024. Climb was also recently named Fortra's North America Commercial Partner of the Year.

Gerard Brophy, Chief Revenue Officer at Climb, said the regional extension reflected changes in customer demand. "After a successful period of growing Fortra's business in North America, replicating this across UK&I was a natural next step. Our aim is always to respond to market demand where we see it, and as AI adoption and regulation increases, Fortra addresses the need for platform consolidation," Brophy said.

Climb positions the partnership as part of a broader effort to expand its cybersecurity presence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The distributor supplies a range of specialist technology products through channel partners, including security, artificial intelligence, data management and cloud-related software.

Security focus

Fortra's offering includes tools for data discovery and classification, which have become more prominent as companies examine how sensitive information is stored, moved and used in AI systems. Organisations are also under greater scrutiny over privacy obligations and internal controls around data access.

For distributors, this has created an opportunity to package security software around compliance and governance needs rather than relying only on traditional perimeter or infrastructure products. The expansion of the Climb-Fortra relationship reflects that broader market trend.

Climb said adding Fortra would help its partners and managed service providers respond to demand for a more unified security approach. "The Fortra partnership further enhances Climb's cybersecurity portfolio across EMEA and will enable partners and MSPs to consolidate security tools into a more unified, platform-led approach, address increasing data protection and compliance requirements, and support customers navigating AI adoption and data governance challenges," Brophy said.

Fortra, which describes itself as a global cybersecurity and software provider, said the agreement builds on an established working relationship with Climb. The vendor is seeking to expand its reach in the UK and Irish channel through a distributor with an existing base of reseller and service provider partners.

Faraz Siraj, Vice President of Global Channels & Alliances at Fortra, said the broader agreement would support the company's regional growth plans. "We have developed a great partnership with Climb since we signed our initial North American partnership and we're looking forward to expanding to UK&I. Climb's cybersecurity expertise and unrivalled track record of bringing innovative vendors to market means we're in a great position to capitalise on the growing demand for Fortra's AI-amplified solutions," Siraj said.