Channel Brief: PwC Becomes OpenAI’s First Reseller

Good morning, folks!

It's always a little rough the first day back after a vacation, but I'm rested and ready to dive back in! Today, we're looking at new research from Sophos that explores the biggest challenges MSPs face with regard to cybersecurity. Like everyone else, they're struggling to stay up-to-date on the latest solutions, a shortage of talent and, of course, major security threats. Good stuff.

PagerDuty added some new capabilities to its operations cloud and MSP Elite IT launched a great new cybersecurity awareness training program. Quartz has a short video interview (and transcript) with Gus Sacco, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, discussing IT industry layoffs over the last few years.

And PwC will become OpenAI's biggest customer and first reseller in a new deal.

As always, send your news, tips and information to me at [email protected]. In the meantime, grab your coffee (I'll be on my third or fourth cup, I'm sure). Here’s what you need to know today.

Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

1. Sophos's MSP Perspectives Survey: A new report from Sophos, called MSP Perspectives 2024, took a look into the biggest challenges facing MSPs and cybersecurity. The report confirms key challenges for MSPs: Staying updated with the latest cybersecurity solutions, the shortage of in-house cybersecurity skills as the top risk to their businesses and clients, and major security threats like stolen access data, credentials, and unpatched vulnerabilities being the biggest risk to their customers.

2. New Features for PagerDuty Operations Cloud: Last week, digital operations management company PagerDuty launched new capabilities and upgrades for the PagerDuty Operations Cloud. The new capabilities are aimed at modernizing operations centers, standardizing automation practices, transforming incident management, and automating remote-location operations, the company said, and leverage AI and automation.

3. Elite IT Fights Cybercrime: Managed service provider Elite IT has launched its new Cyber Security Awareness Training and Antivirus Program, MSP Today reported. With this program, Elite IT aims to bolster cybersecurity defenses for businesses in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region, particularly as cybersecurity threats tend to escalate during the summer months. The program combines employee education with advanced technology to help tackle outdated systems and inadequate employee awareness of cybercriminal tactics. Participants learn about key threats like spoofed domains, malicious emails, phishing scams and fake invoices so they can better identify and respond to cyberattacks.

4. Has the IT Industry 'Right-Sized'? Quartz has an interesting take from Gus Sacco, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Hudson Valley Investment Advisors -- Sacco said the tsunami of tech layoffs over the last couple of years has 'right-sized' the industry and will help avoid a recession. It's a short video, so check it out and see what you think.

5. PwC Becomes OpenAI's First Reseller: As part of a new deal, PwC will become the largest customer and first reseller of OpenAI's enterprise product as businesses rush to adopt and capitalize on generative artificial intelligence, the company said. PwC will roll out ChatGPT Enterprise, a version of the Microsoft-backed AI startup's chatbot aimed at large companies, Reuters reported. The firm will provide ChatGPT Enterprise to its 75,000 U.S. employees and 26,000 UK employees, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the agreement. PwC has been developing custom GPTs to help its employees with tasks such as reviewing tax returns and dashboard and report generation.

6. Hurry Up, Cloud MSPs! Submit Your Survey to Our Top Cloud MSPs List - Every year Jessica C. Davis has worked on an MSP ranked list, she's blasted out the deadlines and written blog posts and sent emails telling people over and over that the deadline is close. And once the window closes to submit your MSP, there are always a handful of companies that beg to reopen the survey so they can submit their companies. Somehow they missed all the messages. Don’t let this be you! Our Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs survey is open now, but it closes in June. Don’t wait until the last minute. Get it done and check it off your list today so you don’t miss the deadline. If your MSP practice includes working with a cloud provider, this survey is for you. Here’s the link to participate. Participation is free. The survey closes in June. Submit your MSP here for recognition today! And if you want to check our lists from previous years, you can find them here.

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