Splashtop, Leader partner on secure remote access push

Splashtop has struck a distribution partnership with Australian IT and communications distributor Leader, as it looks to expand its reach in remote support and endpoint management across the country.

Leader will add Splashtop's remote access, remote support, and autonomous endpoint management products to its portfolio. The companies are positioning the deal around security requirements faced by Australian organisations, including data residency expectations and alignment with federal cyber guidance.

Splashtop's Australian offering uses sovereign cloud infrastructure, with controls aligned to the Essential Eight Maturity Model and the Information Security Manual. It says the approach supports readiness for IRAP assessments.

Distribution push

Leader supplies technology to more than 12,000 channel partners through five branches nationwide, providing national stock, account management, a cloud marketplace, and partner services such as helpdesk, training, and marketing resources.

Under the arrangement, Leader will distribute Splashtop's portfolio and provide local guidance to partners and customers. The companies are pitching the combined offer to organisations managing hybrid workforces and dealing with patching and compliance in distributed environments.

Splashtop's regional focus spans secure remote access for staff and contractors, remote support for IT teams, and automated endpoint maintenance. Its Autonomous Endpoint Management product includes monitoring and automated patching across device estates.

Kelly Park, Regional Sales Manager, ANZ & South Korea, Splashtop, described the partnership as part of a broader regional strategy.

"Australia is a key market for us in APAC, and our partnership with Leader marks an important step in deepening our presence in the region," said Kelly Park, Regional Sales Manager, ANZ & South Korea, Splashtop.

Park also pointed to the combination of product coverage and local distribution reach.

"By combining Splashtop's secure and reliable remote solutions, including Autonomous Endpoint Management, with Leader's strong local expertise and established distribution network, we expect to deliver enhanced local support and greater overall value to Australian customers," Park said.

Security focus

Remote access and endpoint tools are now standard across many IT operations. However, they sit in a risk category that draws scrutiny from security teams and regulators, particularly in government and regulated industries. Australian agencies and suppliers often reference the Essential Eight and the ISM when evaluating controls for access, patching, and device hardening.

Splashtop lists end-to-end encryption and access controls among its security measures, and cites compliance with ISO, SOC 2, and GDPR standards. It links its sovereign cloud approach to Australian data protection and residency requirements under the Privacy Act.

Leader Managing Director Theo Kristoris said the agreement aligns with the distributor's focus on security and channel readiness.

"Splashtop aligns strongly with Leader's focus on secure, scalable, and partner-ready solutions," said Theo Kristoris, Managing Director, Leader.

He also highlighted the operational theme of the partnership, including automation.

"Together, we are enabling our partners to support modern hybrid work environments while strengthening security, compliance, and operational efficiency through automation," Kristoris said.

Market footprint

Splashtop already serves customers in Australia across education, media and entertainment, government, architecture, and design. It is best known for remote access and support tools used by IT teams for device troubleshooting and by staff for secure access to corporate desktops and applications.

As organisations manage a mix of office, home, and mobile work, distributors and vendors are competing for channel mindshare by bundling remote support, device monitoring, and patch management with security assurance. For overseas software firms seeking broader coverage across Australia's channel ecosystem, partnerships with local distributors remain a common route.

Beyond distribution, the companies plan joint market activity. Splashtop and Leader expect to participate in industry events and co-marketing, with further collaborative programmes planned through 2026 and beyond.