artificial intelligence

In The Channel

From Shadow AI to managed AI: WatchGuard CEO on the next MSP opportunity

October 15, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on From Shadow AI to managed AI: WatchGuard CEO on the next MSP opportunity
With employees increasingly adopting AI outside corporate oversight, WatchGuard CEO Joe Smolarski sees a growing opportunity for MSPs to deliver AI governance as a distinct managed service. In this episode of In The Channel, he discusses the business opportunity, WatchGuard’s latest AI investments, and the risks emerging as AI agents gain greater autonomy.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Slide names McChord interim CEO, Arctic Wolf expands AI security, N-able finds MSP alert overload

October 15, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Slide names McChord interim CEO, Arctic Wolf expands AI security, N-able finds MSP alert overload
Slide co-founder and Datto founder Austin McChord becomes interim CEO following Michael Fass’s departure. Plus, Arctic Wolf expands its security platform with new endpoint, AI visibility and agentic SOC capabilities, while N-able research finds MSPs adopting AI faster than they can confidently manage its output.

In The Channel

As AI accelerates software development, AppSec becomes an MSP problem

October 14, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on As AI accelerates software development, AppSec becomes an MSP problem
AI is dramatically increasing the speed at which organizations can create software, but their security processes may not be keeping pace. Checkmarx channel chief Jon Kozimor joins In The Channel to discuss why that shift could make application security increasingly important to mainstream MSPs.

Podcasts

The Buzz: IonQ buys Elisity, TD SYNNEX expands partner AI, Pax8 finds SMB AI governance gaps

October 14, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: IonQ buys Elisity, TD SYNNEX expands partner AI, Pax8 finds SMB AI governance gaps
IonQ agrees to acquire zero-trust security specialist Elisity for up to $1.3 billion. Plus, TD SYNNEX expands PartnerFirst with agentic AI and new AI cost-management services, while Pax8 research finds growing gaps in SMB AI governance and spending.

Podcasts

The Buzz: CyberFOX buys Optimize365, Microsoft secures Windows AI agents, AWS cuts Marketplace fees

October 9, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: CyberFOX buys Optimize365, Microsoft secures Windows AI agents, AWS cuts Marketplace fees
CyberFOX acquires Optimize365 as it builds a broader security platform for MSPs. Plus, Microsoft introduces security boundaries for Windows AI agents, and AWS cuts Marketplace fees to make professional services more attractive for partners.

Podcasts

The Buzz: TD SYNNEX buys BlueStar, HPE launches ProLiant Gen13, and Cisco puts AI agents in Webex

October 8, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: TD SYNNEX buys BlueStar, HPE launches ProLiant Gen13, and Cisco puts AI agents in Webex
TD SYNNEX agrees to acquire specialty distributor BlueStar, HPE unveils its first AMD-powered ProLiant Gen13 servers, and Cisco brings collaborative AI agents and broader workplace intelligence to Webex.

In The Channel

KnowBe4 channel chief Mills looks to bring greater focus, distribution to partner strategy

October 7, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on KnowBe4 channel chief Mills looks to bring greater focus, distribution to partner strategy
New KnowBe4 channel chief Kurt Mills sees significant opportunities to evolve the security vendor’s channel model as it looks toward its next stage of growth. He joins In The Channel to discuss distribution, Canadian coverage, partner program changes and why he says KnowBe4 “can do better” with MSPs.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Frontline buys KL Software, WatchGuard expands AI security, and Dell tackles the AI data gap

October 7, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Frontline buys KL Software, WatchGuard expands AI security, and Dell tackles the AI data gap
Frontline Managed Services buys KL Software and launches an intelligent applications business, WatchGuard adds AI and secure-access capabilities for MSPs, and Dell expands its AI Data Platform to help enterprises turn their data into usable fuel for AI.

In The Channel

Barracuda to MSPs on AI security: Don’t wait for customers to ask

October 6, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Barracuda to MSPs on AI security: Don’t wait for customers to ask
As AI use spreads through SMB organizations, many businesses don’t know which tools their employees are using or what data they’re sharing with them. Barracuda’s Brian Downey joins In The Channel to discuss why that creates both a security challenge and a new advisory opportunity for MSPs.

Podcasts

The Buzz: HPE expands channel software push, AvePoint highlights AI governance gap, and ESET tracks cyber insurance influence

April 23, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: HPE expands channel software push, AvePoint highlights AI governance gap, and ESET tracks cyber insurance influence
HPE doubles its software channel team amid hardware cost pressures, new research points to governance as the main hurdle for AI monetization, and ESET reveals how cyber insurance is changing SMB security outsourcing.