OpenText Cyber Security 2024 Global Managed Security Survey - All Eyes on AI Business Opportunities and Challenges
The race to leverage artificial intelligence to advance business innovation, create efficiency, and enhance workforce skills continues. Yet, organizations cannot overlook the fundamental needs...
The race to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to advance business innovation, create efficiency, and enhance workforce skills continues. However, organizations must not overlook the fundamental security needs while striving to capitalize on this market opportunity.
In our second annual survey conducted among 1,577 managers, senior executives, and security experts from Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia, we found that AI security expertise and comprehensive security services are the largest growth factors in the industry.
AI-Driven Security Challenges and Opportunities
MSPs and MSSPs play a crucial 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 counter the rising threats. A significant portion of the industry feels increasingly prepared to support their customers' AI-related security needs. Moreover, 62% of those who are not yet doing so plan to offer AI services within the next 12 months, indicating continuous investment and growth potential.
Survey participants also stated that AI is the biggest global challenge their customers must address; they (MSPs/MSSPs) also see AI as the largest business opportunity. From 2023 to 2024, the top MSP/MSSP customer challenge shifted from achieving cost savings to incorporating AI into security. Machine learning (ML) and AI-powered security tools like OpenText's threat detection and response solutions have been proven necessary to help cybersecurity teams stay ahead of attackers and protect their assets.
More than 83% of the respondents reported experiencing growth in their business due to increased interest in AI security tools and expertise. Even more (92.5%) believe AI will drive business growth this year, with over half of that group (67%) believing they will significantly grow their business (11-30%).
Microsoft® Copilot is Ready to Accelerate Channel Growth
According to the survey, MSPs and MSSPs agree that the greatest benefit of incorporating productive AI into customers' security programs is enhancing their security capabilities and platforms rather than replacing human roles. The majority of MSPs/MSSPs (%91) are already seeing customers show interest in Microsoft® Copilot.
While productive AI expertise is an essential component for meeting customers' AI needs, supporting AI in data governance is also considered extremely important by participants. As a leading Microsoft Cloud Service Provider, OpenText™ is uniquely prepared to help customers leverage the momentum of Microsoft Copilot. However, it's also crucial for organizations to understand how they can harness the potential of AI while developing data governance policies to ensure safe usage.
Beyond new security requirements for implementing Copilot, basic change management and user training needs should also be addressed. Business partners that take the time to understand what is needed to be AI-ready will play a significant role in helping customers accelerate their cloud migrations.
Comprehensive Security Remains a Priority
Despite the AI hype, comprehensive and customizable security continues to be the primary reason corporate and small-to-medium business (SMB) customers seek MSP/MSSP services. Gartner also identified shapable security solutions as one of the most important cybersecurity trends for 2023. Comprehensive security programs built on components and solutions that adapt to evolving security needs (i.e., modular security) are highly significant, especially considering today's rapidly developing and constantly changing threat environment.
According to more than half of the respondents (%56), the primary reason customers use MSPs/MSSPs is for comprehensive security. The survey revealed that demand for comprehensive security has increased by more than 10% compared to 2023, with over a quarter of MSP/MSSP customers (%27) preferring to have a single vendor for their security solutions.
At OpenText, we offer a complete portfolio of comprehensive and shapable security solutions, including endpoint protection, identity management, and threat intelligence, all built on our information DNA to help our customers strengthen their cyber defenses and minimize risk.