Guest blog courtesy of OpenText Cybersecurity.
The race to use AI to advance business innovation, create efficiencies, and upskill employees is on. Yet organizations cannot overlook the fundamental need for security as they strive to capture this market opportunity.
In our second annual survey of 1,577 managers, senior executives, and security professionals at managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia, we found that AI security expertise and comprehensive security services are the top drivers of industry growth.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Based Security
MSPs and MSSPs play a critical role in protecting their clients’ sensitive data and assets. This year, the focus is on integrating AI-powered tools, threat intelligence, and incident response services to curb threat escalation. A significant portion of the industry feels increasingly prepared to meet their clients’ AI-related security needs. And for those who aren’t, 62% plan to offer AI services in the next 12 months, showing continued investment and growth potential.
Respondents also said AI is the biggest global challenge they help their clients solve; they (MSPs) also see AI as their biggest business opportunity. From 2023 to 2024, the top challenge for MSPs/MSSPs has shifted from achieving cost savings to integrating AI into security. Machine learning (ML) and AI-based security tools, such as OpenText’s threat detection solutionshave proven essential in helping cybersecurity teams outpace attackers and defend their assets.
More than three-quarters of respondents (83%) have already seen an increase in their business due to interest in AI security tools and expertise. Even more (92.5%) believe AI will drive business growth this year, with more than half (67%) of this group believing it will grow their business substantially (11-30%).
Microsoft® Copilot is ready to drive distribution channel growth
According to the survey, MSPs and MSSPs agree that the primary benefit of integrating generative AI into customers’ security programs is to augment security talent and platforms, rather than replace humans. A majority (91%) of MSPs/MSSPs are already seeing customer interest in Microsoft® Copilot.
While generative AI expertise is an important part of meeting customer AI needs, support for AI data governance is also seen as very important by respondents. As a leading Microsoft cloud service provider, OpenText™ is unique ready to help customers Take advantage of Microsoft Copilot’s momentum. However, it’s critical that organizations understand how to harness the power of AI while developing data governance policies to protect its use.
Beyond the new security requirements of implementing Copilot, there are also fundamental change management and user training requirements to consider. Partners who invest the time to understand what it takes to become AI-ready will play a key role in helping customers accelerate their journey to the cloud.
Global security remains a priority
Despite the hype around AI, comprehensive, on-demand security remains the top reason why enterprises and SMBs continue to seek MSP/MSSP services. Gartner also named composable security solutions as a major trend in cybersecurity. Comprehensive security programs that rely on components and solutions that adapt to an organization’s changing security needs (i.e., composable security) are essential given today’s ever-changing and evolving threat landscape.
According to more than half (56%) of respondents, the primary reason customers engage MSPs/MSSPs is the need for comprehensive security. The survey found that demand for comprehensive security has increased by more than 10% compared to 2023, with more than a quarter (27%) of MSPs/MSSPs customers preferring to have a single provider for their security solutions.
At OpenText, we offer a full range of comprehensive, composable security solutions, including endpoint protection, identity management and threat intelligence, all rooted in our information DNA, to help our customers strengthen their cyber defenses and minimize risk.
MSPs and MSSPs looking to take their cybersecurity programs to the next level are invited to stop by the OpenText Cybersecurity booth (#627) or Pillr booth (#912) at Pax8 Beyond, June 9-11 in Denver, CO. OpenText Cybersecurity will also be exhibiting at Kaseya DattoCon Europe (booth #G6), June 11-13 in Dublin, Ireland.
To learn more about OpenText Cybersecurity’s MSP and MSSP offerings, please visit: https://www.opentext.com/products/security-cloud.
