shadow AI

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.

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.

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.

In The Channel

Okta Canada check-in: Agentic AI hits the boardroom, partner contribution doubles, and the pitch is ‘sell better, not more’

September 30, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Okta Canada check-in: Agentic AI hits the boardroom, partner contribution doubles, and the pitch is ‘sell better, not more’
Six months ago, Okta Canada’s Ryan Sydor talked about investment: a data cell, 600 employees, a plan to triple the business. At Oktane 2026, the story is demand – for agentic identity, for agent security, and for partners who can advise rather than sell. Sydor on board mandates, the Blueprint Alliance, Microsoft coexistence, and 100 per cent partner growth.

In The Channel

ESET’s Tony Anscombe on why breached SMBs feel more confident, and where MSPs fit in the insurance collision

August 20, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on ESET’s Tony Anscombe on why breached SMBs feel more confident, and where MSPs fit in the insurance collision
ESET Chief Security Evangelist Tony Anscombe joins In The Channel to unpack the 2026 SMB Cyber Readiness Index. We discuss the confidence paradox, the collision between cyber insurance and MSPs, why AI headlines distract from phishing fundamentals, and why monthly micro-training is the antidote to checkbox compliance.

Podcasts

The Buzz: Zscaler enlists GSIs for AI security push, Jamf names new CEO

May 21, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: Zscaler enlists GSIs for AI security push, Jamf names new CEO
Thursday’s Buzz covers Zscaler’s AI-Guardian partner initiative, Jamf’s new permanent CEO, and moves from Aura, SOCRadar, Akamai, and Cisco Canada.

In The Channel

Beyond the Hype: Bridging the AI Governance Gap with Auvik’s Steve Petryschuk

May 13, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on Beyond the Hype: Bridging the AI Governance Gap with Auvik’s Steve Petryschuk
In this episode of In The Channel, Auvik’s Steve Petryschuk joins Robert Dutt to discuss the findings of the 2026 IT Trends Report. They dig into the “Maturity Mirage,” the rise of Shadow AI, and why the path to AI readiness actually starts with better documentation and visibility.

Podcasts

The Buzz: inforcer brings shadow AI monitoring to MSPs, SUSE launches sovereign partner specialization, and Cayosoft targets the Microsoft identity migration gap

May 8, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: inforcer brings shadow AI monitoring to MSPs, SUSE launches sovereign partner specialization, and Cayosoft targets the Microsoft identity migration gap
Today on The Buzz: inforcer’s Copilot Manager gives MSPs a new lens on shadow AI, SUSE formalizes a sovereign cloud path for channel partners, and Cayosoft reframes Microsoft identity migration as a managed practice.

Podcasts

The Buzz: WatchGuard acquires Perimeters.io, Meter launches $100M partner fund, and ServiceNow and Tanium announce Autonomous IT solution

May 7, 2026 Robert Dutt Comments Off on The Buzz: WatchGuard acquires Perimeters.io, Meter launches $100M partner fund, and ServiceNow and Tanium announce Autonomous IT solution
Today’s channel news includes WatchGuard’s move into shadow AI, a $100M networking partner fund from Meter, and a new joint Autonomous IT platform from ServiceNow and Tanium out of Knowledge 2026.