In 2024, the cybersecurity world was shaped by two words: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Organizations are still just beginning their journey with AI and machine learning (ML) models designed to improve threat detection and cut down on false positive alerts, but it was generative AI that everyone talked about and worried about.

As the calendar flips from 2024 to 2025, the number one prediction by cybersecurity experts is that AI will continue to be unstoppable. The difference in 2025 will be its evolution from the shiny new technology to its role as a transformative tool for both companies and threat actors. For many organizations, managing AI and the potential rise in threats is a daunting task. Managed Service Providers (MSP) have the capability to take a proactive approach to ensure AI is used correctly as part of a cybersecurity strategy, while also anticipating how it can be used by cybercriminals as an attack vector. Here are a few predictions about how AI could impact MSP offerings and the overall market.

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays a vital role in any organization’s cybersecurity strategy, but most small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) don’t have a large enough staff – or budget – to justify having an onsite security leader. SMBs that work with an MSP that already offers virtual CISO (vCISO) services should see improvements in types of services as AI continues to evolve. It’s expected that vCISOs will be able to offer more specialized, complex and organizational-specific tasks, such as governance over industry and governmental compliances.

The managed security industry is booming, projected to surge from USD 30.6 billion in 2023 to USD 52.9 billion by 2028, according to a Markets & Markets report. This rapid growth has led to a proliferation of service providers. However, with the complexity of securing AI/ML technologies, it’s crucial to partner with experienced MSPs who possess the specialized knowledge and proven track record to effectively address the unique cybersecurity challenges of the AI era.

It doesn’t matter whether or not organizations are adopting generative AI in the workplace; their employees are. Nearly 30% of workers are accessing a Generative AI (GenAI) tool on the job, with many of those users relying on the technology every day. More concerning is the rise in shadow AI use , as more and more employees are using GenAI for business use or on business devices without permission. This is leading to data privacy leaks and potential data compliance violations. In 2025, MSPs are expected to play a greater role in providing security measures around GenAI use in the workplace with streamlined tech support and additional safeguards that will help prevent data leaks and monitor the use of shadow AI.

There are needs beyond AI, of course. Cybersecurity predictions also anticipate MSPs will play a greater role in identity management, especially around non-human identities. As the reliance on Application Programming Interface software (API) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices increases, it is now projected that non-human identities outnumber human identities 50-1. MSPs will provide the round-the-clock monitoring required to detect vulnerabilities and potential attacks.

No matter the role AI plays in cybersecurity and IT services in 2025, one thing is certain: people are the main drivers behind the security of your system, both the employees and your MSP partners. Having an MSP that provides the leadership to guide your company will make the challenges of integrating GenAI and other AI tools less daunting.

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