Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

A recent study supported by Apple reveals that a new artificial intelligence model, known as the wearable behavior model, can flag health conditions with an impressive accuracy of 92%. This model, trained on over 2.5 billion hours of data from wearable devices, outperforms traditional health prediction methods that rely solely on basic biometric measurements. Researchers found that behavioral data...

A recent report by Auvik reveals significant challenges faced by managed service providers (MSPs), highlighting issues such as tool sprawl, burnout among IT professionals, and the increasing reliance on IT generalists. The report indicates that 50% of MSPs use over ten tools to manage client networks, with many professionals experiencing high levels of stress and burnout. The ongoing retirement of...

Bob Burke, Chief Information Security Officer at Beyond Identity, challenges the effectiveness of traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. He argues that legacy MFA solutions, which often rely on out-of-band authorization methods like push notifications or one-time passwords, are no longer sufficient against the rising tide of sophisticated cyber th...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving beyond a mere tool to become the foundational operating system for modern businesses, particularly in the SMB and mid-market sectors. Anurag Agarwal, founder and chief global analyst at TechIsle, discusses the transformative potential of AI as an operating system (AIOS), which would integrate intelligent capabilities at the core of computing. This concept e...

Columbia University has recently suffered a significant data breach, compromising the personal information of 1.8 million individuals, including social security numbers and financial aid details. The hacker, motivated by political opposition to affirmative action policies, claims to have stolen 460 gigabytes of sensitive data. This incident is part of a troubling trend of politically motivated cyb...

Daily AI use among desk workers has surged dramatically, with a report from Slack indicating a 233% increase since November. While 60% of these workers now regularly utilize AI tools, the integration has led to significant boosts in productivity and job satisfaction. However, the report also highlights concerning trends, such as increased burnout among those heavily engaged with AI, with 88% more...

Managed service providers (MSPs) are currently facing unprecedented pressure from clients regarding cybersecurity, with a significant increase in expectations for MSPs to manage their cybersecurity infrastructure. A recent survey revealed that 84% of MSPs report their clients now expect them to handle cybersecurity end-to-end, a notable rise from 65% the previous year. This shift comes as MSPs the...

Small businesses are increasingly recognizing the need for digital maturity and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency. A recent report from the National Federation of Independent Business reveals that while a significant majority of small business owners have websites, only a small fraction accept online payments. This gap highlights a pressing ne...

Ingram Micro has suffered a significant ransomware attack attributed to the SafePay group, disrupting its systems and affecting deliveries across multiple regions. The attack, which is believed to have exploited vulnerabilities in the company's GlobalProtect virtual private network, has left its website and online ordering systems offline since July 5, 2025. SafePay claims to have accessed sensiti...

The managed service provider (MSP) cyber insurance landscape is facing significant challenges, primarily due to the certification process rather than the coverage itself. Edouard von Herberstein, a seasoned expert in complex risk management, recognized the inefficiencies within this system and founded Spectra, the first MSP certification platform acknowledged by major insurers. His insights reveal...

Pricing is a critical lever for managed service providers (MSPs), SaaS providers, and tech companies, yet many organizations treat it as a one-time event rather than an ongoing process. Dan Balcauski, founder and chief pricing officer at Product Tranquility, emphasizes the importance of viewing pricing as a living system that requires continuous iteration and governance. He argues that pricing sho...

Andreas Voniatis, founder of Arteos and author of "Data-Driven SEO with Python," is revolutionizing the SEO landscape by integrating data science and AI into organic growth strategies. He emphasizes the need for businesses, particularly in the B2B and technology sectors, to move beyond traditional SEO practices that often rely on guesswork. Instead, Fanatis advocates for a math-driven approach tha...

The podcast discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity for small and mid-market businesses, emphasizing the dual threats posed by advanced artificial intelligence tools and a resurgence of ransomware attacks. As cybercriminals leverage AI for sophisticated phishing and impersonation tactics, traditional security measures are becoming obsolete. Organizations are urged to adopt enterprise-gra...

Microsoft is facing significant challenges in promoting its Copilot AI assistant within enterprises, as many employees show a preference for OpenAI's ChatGPT. This trend highlights a competitive shift in the corporate sector, where companies are increasingly recognizing the advantages of generative AI solutions. Despite Microsoft's efforts, including a notable implementation plan by Amgen Inc. for...

ConnectWise is currently facing a significant crisis of trust as attackers exploit its signed software to distribute malware. This alarming trend has seen a notable increase in infections since March 2025, primarily due to poor signing practices that allow malicious users to embed harmful code within legitimate applications. Reports indicate that the ConnectWise ScreenConnect remote access tool wa...

Gartner predicts that by 2027, artificial intelligence (AI) will be responsible for half of all business decisions, either through full automation or partial augmentation. This shift is driven by the increasing pressure on technology companies to deliver returns on their AI investments, with small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) rapidly adopting these tools. However, a significant skills gap remai...

Small business resilience is masking deeper economic strains, as recent surveys reveal that while many small businesses report growth and have maintained or increased their workforce, a significant portion still feels the adverse effects of current economic conditions. Despite 56% of small businesses indicating growth and 90% maintaining or increasing their workforce, 43% of entrepreneurs express...

Small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly curious about how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their operations. As they explore the potential of AI, they are asking critical questions about implementation, automation, and customer engagement. Experts Hunter Jensen and Barbara Paluszkiewicz discuss the challenges these businesses face, particularly regarding data readiness a...

Brian Haugli, CEO of SideChannel, discusses the critical distinction between security debt and technical debt, emphasizing that while technical debt is a common challenge for CIOs, security debt is a more specific issue that often arises in startups. He explains that startups frequently prioritize speed to market over security, leading to vulnerabilities that accumulate as they defer compliance an...

The podcast discusses a transformative vision for building a managed services provider (MSP) that shifts away from traditional models focused on infrastructure management and reactive maintenance. Instead, it advocates for creating a tech services business that empowers small and mid-sized organizations to drive revenue through technology. The speaker emphasizes the importance of hiring empathetic...

AI is increasingly becoming a double-edged sword in the workplace, as highlighted by a recent Microsoft report. While artificial intelligence tools are intended to enhance productivity, they are inadvertently contributing to an "infinite workday," leading to heightened employee burnout. The report reveals alarming trends, such as 40% of workers checking emails by 6 a.m. and a 16% increase in meeti...

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are exhibiting a dangerous overconfidence in their cybersecurity readiness, with a significant gap between their perceived capabilities and actual security measures in place. A recent report reveals that while 71% of SMBs feel confident in managing major cybersecurity incidents, only 22% have an advanced cybersecurity posture. This disconnect presents a cri...

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly recognizing the importance of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to stay competitive in the market. A recent survey indicates that 97% of small businesses utilizing voice AI agents have seen revenue increases. However, many SMBs still perceive AI as complicated or unnecessary, with 63% expressing concerns about their foundational capabil...

Andrew Bolton, CEO and co-founder of TechRescue, has developed a unique approach to delivering technical services specifically tailored for seniors. With a growing client base of nearly 1,000 seniors on a monthly subscription model, Bolton's company focuses on providing empathetic and personalized tech support. Unlike traditional managed service providers, TechRescue positions itself as a "tech th...

Wes Spencer, co-founder of Empath, a training and education platform for managed service providers (MSPs), discusses a unique funding model that diverges from traditional venture capital. Instead of seeking investment from typical VCs, Empath successfully raised $2 million from industry insiders, primarily MSPs themselves. This approach fosters alignment and advocacy among investors, who are also...