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IT leaders and chief information officers (CIOs) want stronger cybersecurity solutions, advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and sustainable technology practices from solution providers in 2025, according to Channel Insider.
With less than half of digital initiatives meeting business targets today, technology leaders focus on tools to protect their organizations while driving innovation.
Cybersecurity takes priority
With threats like ransomware and deepfakes becoming more sophisticated, cybersecurity is a top concern for IT leaders. ISC2’s CISO Jon Frances warns that deepfakes will redefine social engineering tactics in 2025. As businesses manage increasingly sensitive data, the demand for advanced cybersecurity solutions is rising.
ConnectWise CIO Todd Hale emphasizes the growing complexity of security threats. “All companies are facing a certain level of risk that is ever increasing. The complexity of the threat landscape and what we have to deal with on a day-in, day-out basis is getting more complex,” says Hale.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) will rely more heavily on managed service providers (MSPs) — companies that handle IT services for other businesses — to protect their systems in 2025. “Technologies like hyper-automation and AI will be key in transforming how services are delivered and managed,” says ConnectWise CEO Manny Rivelo.
AI integration demands
AI continues to dominate IT investment priorities. MSPs are crucial in bringing AI solutions to organizations lacking in-house expertise. MSPs help implement and manage AI-driven tools, ensuring even smaller enterprises can benefit from advanced technologies. This support is vital for SMBs aiming to compete in a tech-driven economy.
It is projected that by 2025, 67% of AI spending will be driven by businesses integrating AI into their core operations, according to Gartner’s 2025 CIO Agenda. “AI is really a longer-term play and this is going to see a multi-year, maybe multi-decade, kind of evolution of security products,” explains Rakesh Shah from LevelBlue.
Linking back to the rising threat of cyberattacks, MSPs will also need to help their clients understand and implement AI safely. According to ConnectWise CIO Todd Hale, companies are looking to MSPs for guidance on AI adoption: “I think they’re going to look at the MSPs pretty heavily to be that trusted advisor.”
Computing moves to the edge
Companies will continue to rely heavily on cloud computing in 2025, especially as data storage rules become stricter worldwide. Different types of cloud services will help meet specific business needs: private, public, and hybrid.
However, as cloud computing evolves, companies are also looking toward edge computing. Edge computing processes data closer to where it is created than in distant data centers. This approach helps businesses process information faster and more efficiently.
“In 2025, the competitive landscape for virtualization solutions will expand dramatically, empowering service providers to explore a broader array of options while meeting customer demands for affordability and flexibility,” Jeff Ready, CEO of Scale Computing, explained.
Push for sustainable technology
Yet, as AI demands more power, sustainability becomes a top priority. Tech leaders expect CIOs to implement several sustainability measures. This includes energy-efficient hardware, renewable energy sources for data centers, low-energy AI models, and robust carbon accounting measures.
“Savvy manufacturers will use incentives to move their channels to more ecologically friendly choices so they hit their annual targets on environmentally friendly products and position themselves as global environmental leaders,” said Sean Cheriton, Manufacturing Account Executive at 360insight.
Looking ahead, IT leaders expect solution providers to help them balance these priorities while managing costs. Success in 2025 will depend on finding secure, efficient ways to implement new technologies while reducing environmental impact.
