Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

The discussion centers around the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and monetization strategies, emphasizing the dual challenges of protecting data and AI models while also effectively pricing these solutions. Experts Bryant Tow and James D. Wilton explore the urgent risks posed by AI, including threats to company data and the integrity of AI models. They highlight the i...

Charter Communications has announced its acquisition of Cox Communications for $34.5 billion, a significant move that will merge two of the largest internet service providers in the United States. This merger is expected to require approval from the Federal Communications Commission due to Cox's critical operational licenses. The combined entity plans to adopt the Cox Communications name, with Spe...

Data silos are significantly hindering AI innovation, as highlighted by a recent report from Infanti. The survey of over 1,200 IT and cybersecurity professionals revealed that more than half of the respondents experience isolated data within their organizations, leading to inefficiencies and slow security responses. Nearly 30% of IT professionals reported that these data deficiencies obstruct thei...

The European Vulnerability Database (EUVD) has officially launched, providing a vital platform for monitoring critical security flaws amid challenges faced by the U.S. in cybersecurity funding and management. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and deliver essential information on vulnerabilities, addressing gaps left by the U.S. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program, which has bee...

Remote work is driving a significant startup boom, reshaping the IT services market. A recent study indicates that companies with higher levels of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have seen a notable increase in employee startups, with an estimated 11.6% of new business formations attributed to this trend. Despite major corporations reinstating return-to-office mandates, remote work adopti...

The recent U.S.-China tariff truce has led to a significant surge in global markets, with the U.S. reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and China lowering its tariffs on American imports from 125% to 10%. While this agreement has provided short-term relief, it has also triggered caution among Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who are now deferring IT projects and prioritizing cost m...

Mousa Hamad, an expert in procurement and vendor management, shares insights from his extensive career in IT operations and business transformation. He emphasizes the importance of being customer-oriented and empathetic, drawing from his experiences on the front lines of IT. Hamad recounts a significant project where he tackled SaaS cost management by consolidating contracts and implementing a pla...

Srinivas Krishnaswamy, author of "Inbound Marketing in the Age of GPTs," discusses the transformative impact of AI on customer search behaviors and marketing strategies for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). He emphasizes that traditional methods, particularly reliance on Google for information discovery, are evolving. With the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, customers are increasingly tu...

Ransomware attacks have surged dramatically, particularly affecting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), which now experience ransomware in 88% of breaches. According to Verizon's 2025 data breach investigations report, ransomware was detected in 44% of over 12,000 data breaches, marking a 37% increase from the previous year. While the number of organizations paying ransoms has decreased, the FB...

Top-performing IT solution providers are experiencing record profitability, achieving over 19% adjusted profit margins for the fifth consecutive year, despite a slowdown in revenue growth. The latest report from Service Leadership indicates that while managed service providers (MSPs) saw revenue growth of only 7.1% in 2024, their adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortiza...

AI tools are increasingly leaking sensitive data, with a recent report revealing that 68% of organizations have experienced data leaks due to employees using artificial intelligence tools. Despite a high level of confidence among security leaders—90% believe their security measures are effective—more than half reported regular malware and phishing incidents linked to improper AI implementation. Th...

The U.S. job market shows resilience with the addition of 177,000 payrolls in April, despite a slight decline in IT roles as tech professionals exit the field. The unemployment rate remains low at 4.2 percent, but the IT sector has seen significant job losses, with over 10,600 positions cut in April alone. This trend is attributed to a cautious hiring environment influenced by increasing automatio...

The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) stands at a pivotal moment, facing a profound transformation following the sale of its certification and training division. This transition presents a unique opportunity for GTIA to redefine its mission and solidify its role as a cornerstone of the IT industry. Rather than merely adjusting to changes in the technology landscape, GTIA must embrace a...

Arvind Parthiban, CEO of Super Ops, discusses the company's growth strategy following a recent $25 million Series C funding round. With a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), Super Ops aims to enhance its platform for managed service providers (MSPs) by developing innovative features that streamline IT management. Parthiban emphasizes the importance of being close to customers, revealing plans t...

Dan Candee, CEO of Cork, discusses the innovative approach of combining software with insurance to provide cybersecurity solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and their clients. Cork stands out in the cybersecurity landscape by validating the compliance of all client endpoints and offering a cyber warranty that provides financial protection. This model addresses the complexities of cybers...

The discussion centers around the evolving landscape of technology roles, particularly in the context of AI and automation. Seth Robinson from CompTIA and Beth Pariseau from TechTarget share insights on the current demand for various IT job families, including software development, cybersecurity, and data management. They highlight that while there is a high demand for skilled professionals, compa...

Alan Mosca, CTO of nPlan, discusses the transformative role of machine learning in construction project management. nPlan leverages historical data from large construction projects to create forecasts that help improve project execution. By analyzing how past projects were completed, NPLAN aims to shift the traditional mindset of project planning, which often relies on rigid schedules with fixed d...

Kaseya has launched a series of AI-driven tools and policy changes at its Connect 2025 event, aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies for IT service providers. The Kaseya 365 Ops platform utilizes AI to help customers improve their operational efficiency, with early users reportedly saving an average of 160 hours per month, equivalent to the productivity of one additional technician. Additiona...

Over half of employees are concealing their use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools from their employers, raising significant concerns about trust and compliance within organizations. A study by KPMG and the University of Melbourne found that 57% of employees admitted to hiding their AI usage, with 66% of these users not verifying the accuracy of AI-generated results. This lack of transparency p...

AI is increasingly enhancing efficiency in cybersecurity operations, but human expertise remains essential. A recent report from Enable reveals that while AI tools can significantly reduce analysis time for security alerts, a staggering 86% of these alerts still require human validation. This highlights the ongoing need for skilled analysts in the cybersecurity field, emphasizing that AI cannot op...

Hunter Jensen, the founder and CEO of Barefoot Solutions, discusses the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its practical applications in business. Barefoot Solutions, a custom software development firm, has been at the forefront of technology innovations for over 20 years, adapting to trends from web development to machine learning and generative AI. Jensen emphasizes the impor...

This episode features a deep dive into the evolving landscape of managed services, focusing on the insights of industry experts Howard M. Cohen and Abraham Garver. The discussion centers around the significant shift towards service-oriented models within the managed service provider (MSP) sector, highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and the ecosystems that are driving growth...

IBM and Intel have recently reported their earnings, revealing significant challenges despite some positive figures. IBM exceeded earnings expectations with a revenue of $14.54 billion, but its net income fell sharply due to the U.S. government's cost-cutting measures, resulting in a loss of $100 million from canceled contracts. Meanwhile, Intel reported a net loss of $8 million, with stagnant rev...

Maryland has introduced a new 3% sales tax on data and information technology services, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This legislation expands the definition of taxable services to include essential IT offerings such as cloud storage, IT consulting, and cybersecurity. Experts warn that this tax could lead to increased costs for businesses, potentially discouraging innovation and prompting so...

Zendesk has made a significant shift in its pricing model by moving away from traditional seat licenses to an outcome-based pricing structure. This change, articulated by CEO Tom Eggemeier, means that customers will only pay when an AI agent successfully resolves a business problem. This approach aligns with a broader industry trend towards consumption-based pricing, where costs are directly linke...