Guest blog courtesy of OpenText Cybersecurity.
The race is on to leverage AI to drive business innovation, increase efficiency, and enhance employee skill sets. But while organizations work to seize this market opportunity, they cannot ignore the fundamental need for security.
The second annual survey of 1,577 managers, executives and security professionals from managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) across the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany and Australia found that AI security expertise and comprehensive security services are the biggest growth drivers in the sector.
Challenges and Opportunities for AI-Enabled Security
MSPs and MSSPs play a critical role in protecting their customers' sensitive data and assets. This year's focus is on integrating AI-powered tools, threat intelligence, and incident response services to curb growing threats. A significant portion of the sector feels increasingly prepared to support their customers' AI-related security needs. And even among companies that are less prepared, 62% plan to offer AI services within the next 12 months, indicating continued investment and potential growth.
Respondents also stated that AI is the top global challenge they are helping their customers solve, and they (MSPs/MSPs) see AI as their biggest business opportunity. From 2023 to 2024, the top challenge for MSP/MSSP customers has shifted from achieving cost savings to incorporating AI into security. Machine learning (ML) and AI-powered security tools, like OpenText's unique threat detection solution, are proving essential for cybersecurity teams to outsmart attackers and protect assets.
More than three-quarters (83%) of respondents have already seen their business grow due to interest in AI security tools and expertise, and even more (92.5%) believe AI will drive business growth this year, with more than half (67%) of this group believing AI will drive significant business growth (11-30%).
Microsoft® Copilot accelerates channel growth
According to the survey, MSPs and MSSPs agree that the biggest benefit of incorporating generative AI into their customers' security programs is augmenting security talent and platforms, not replacing humans. The vast majority of MSPs/MSSPs (91%) are already aware of customer interest in Microsoft® Copilot.
While generative AI expertise is a key component of meeting customers' AI needs, support for AI data governance is also considered very important to respondents. As a leading Microsoft cloud service provider, OpenText™ is uniquely positioned to help customers capitalize on the momentum of Microsoft Copilot. However, it is critical that organizations understand how to harness the potential of AI and develop data governance policies to safeguard its use.
In addition to the new security requirements for setting up Copilot, basic change management and user training requirements must also be addressed. Partners who invest the time to understand what it takes to be AI-enabled play a key role in accelerating their customers' journey to the cloud.
Comprehensive security remains a priority
Despite the hype around AI, comprehensive, on-demand security is the primary reason enterprise and SMB customers continue to seek MSP/MSSP services. Gartner also cites composable security solutions as a key trend in cybersecurity. A comprehensive security program built on components and solutions that adapt to an organization's changing security needs (i.e., composable security) is essential given today's rapidly evolving and constantly changing threat landscape.
According to more than half of respondents (56%), comprehensive security is the top reason customers use an MSP/MSSP. The survey found that demand for comprehensive security will grow by more than 10% from 2023, with more than a quarter (27%) of MSP/MSSP customers preferring to outsource security solutions to a single vendor.
OpenText offers a full portfolio of comprehensive, configurable security solutions rooted in our information DNA, including endpoint protection, identity management and threat intelligence, to help strengthen our customers’ cyber defenses and minimize risk.
MSPs and MSSPs looking to take their cybersecurity programs to the next level can visit the OpenText Cybersecurity booth (#627) or Pillr booth (#912) at the Pax8 Beyond event in Denver, Colorado, June 9-11. OpenText Cybersecurity will also be exhibiting at Kaseya DattoCon Europe (booth #G6) in Dublin, Ireland, June 11-13.
To learn more about OpenText Cybersecurity MSP and MSSP services, visit https://www.opentext.com/products/security-cloud.
