Managed security services have become an essential part of the IT strategies of most small to midsize enterprises (SMEs). Few SMEs have the resources or expertise to detect, prevent and respond to security threats. They also lack insight into the ever-changing threat landscape and the latest tools available to protect their IT assets.

Traditionally, IAM solutions have focused on managing identities, not securing them. However, increasingly complex IT environments coupled with a growing array of threats have made identity security a top priority.

In a recent survey, 78 percent of organizations said they plan to increase their spending on identity and access management (IAM) in 2025. These organizations recognize the strategic importance of identity security in preventing ransomware and other threats.

Most organizations recognize that some applications and workloads must remain on-premises. Maybe they’re legacy applications that have been highly customized for the business. Maybe they’re workloads that require the highest levels of performance and minimal latency.

Many small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are eager to take advantage of the transformative power of AI. They’re prioritizing investments in systems and services that can support AI applications and workloads.

Storage, by contrast, seems far more prosaic.

IT teams are tasked with identifying and fending off cyber threats before they can damage the organization’s IT assets. However, a record total of 40,704 new vulnerabilities were identified in 2024, a 30 percent increase over 2023. Almost half of those were critical or high severity, 31 were zero-day exploits, and 129 are widely exploited.

Cybersecurity has been a major focus of government agencies, but they are investing in physical security as well. The Department of Homeland Security, which bears much of the responsibility for federal government security, earmarked some $12 billion for physical security in 2024. The department asked for additional funding for its fiscal 2025 budget.

The proliferation of endpoint devices has dramatically expanded the typical organization’s IT footprint — and the network attack surface. Every desktop, laptop and mobile device is a potential vulnerability that could give threat actors a foothold in the IT environment.

Meeting spaces have come a long way in just a few years. Not that long ago, conference rooms were furnished with a table and chairs and one screen for PowerPoint presentations. Only the boardroom or executive meeting room had video conferencing, typically a complex and expensive system that saw limited use.

Cybersecurity has been heavily focused on endpoints in recent years — and with good reason. A wide range of endpoints now connect to company networks, including traditional desktops and laptops, mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and more.

Increasing incidents of violence have made school safety a critical issue nationwide. Many states, counties and municipalities have passed legislation mandating increased security measures. Many schools are required to develop and implement comprehensive safety plans to protect students and staff and prepare them for emergencies.