Channel Brief: ConnectWise, Microsoft, More

Grab a cup of your favorite morning beverage and check out the return of our regular market briefing for managed services providers (MSPs), IT service providers (ITSPs), technology service providers (TSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs) cybersecurity consultants, systems integrators, VARs, independent software vendors (ISVs), and distributors.

Scroll down for a quick view of upcoming in-person channel and MSP events at the bottom of this post (while we spiff up our industry calendar behind the scenes. It will return!)

And please send your news tips, information, and industry chatter to editorial director [email protected].

Sip up.

A. Today’s Tech, Channel and MSP News

1. ConnectWise vulnerabilities - ConnectWise is advising on-premises partners to take immediate action to address newly identified security risks in its ScreenConnect software. ConnectWise is identifying these vulnerabilities as critical and high priority.

2. Microsoft patches - Microsoft issued patches for 73 security vulnerabilities in its February 2024 Patch Tuesday last week. Among these vulnerabilities are two zero-days that are reportedly being used in the wild. (SCmagazine)

3. Ransomware remains biggest threat - Ransomware continued to be the most reported cyber threat among industrial organizations in 2023 with a nearly 50% increase in reported incidents, according to a year in review report from Dragos OT Cybersecurity. The sixth annual report also provides insights into geopolitically driven attacks and threat groups. 

4. Sherweb event - Sherweb, a Quebec-based distributor of global IT solutions, announced today its partnership with Devolutions to present the 3rd edition of ITSec. This French-language IT security summit will be held in Saint-Hyacinthe on May 22nd and 23rd and will bring together IT professionals and managed service providers (MSPs) for presentations, workshops and networking activities. 

5. Supply chain partnership - Global supply chain transformation company LIDD Consulting and ecosystem integration software company Cleo are partnering to help clients with enhanced decision-making capabilities and improved organizational agility for supply chain-driven businesses. The partnership offers Cleo Integration Cloud, a single-platform solution for API and EDI integrations combined with LIDD’s supply chain expertise and strategic recommendations to help companies seeking efficient and streamlined supply chain operations.  

6. Reddit content AI training agreement - Reddit, the home to many channel and managed services communities, has signed a $60 million contract allowing an AI company to use the content on its platform to train its models, according to Bloomberg News. Reddit told prospective investors that it had signed the deal earlier this year. (Bloomberg)

B. In-Person MSP and Channel Partner Events