OpenText Cybersecurity Finds 92% of Managed Service Providers See AI-Driven Growth, But Readiness Gap Widens

Rhea-AI Summary

OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX) has released its third annual Global Managed Security Survey, revealing significant AI-driven growth opportunities and challenges for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The survey of over 1,000 MSPs shows that 92% are experiencing AI-driven growth, with 96% expecting continued growth this year.

However, a concerning readiness gap has emerged, with only about half of MSPs feeling prepared to guide SMB customers in AI adoption—a sharp decline from 90% in 2024. The study also reveals that 71% of SMBs prefer all-in-one security bundles, while 95% of MSPs plan to expand their service offerings in the next year.

Positive

• 92% of MSPs report business growth from AI interest, with 96% expecting continued growth
• 95% of MSPs plan to expand managed service offerings in the next year
• 71% of SMBs prefer comprehensive all-in-one security bundles
• 67% of MSPs are already using AI for customer support

Negative

• Sharp decline in MSP AI readiness from 90% in 2024 to only about 50% in 2025
• Less than half of MSPs have built or deployed AI cybersecurity agents for customers
• MSPs struggling with limited resources and tool sprawl
• Significant gap between AI demand and provider preparedness

Insights

Technology Market Intelligence Analyst

OpenText's survey reveals significant AI-driven growth opportunities for MSPs amid widening readiness gaps, positioning their Secure Cloud platform as a strategic solution.

The latest OpenText cybersecurity survey provides compelling evidence of a critical market inflection point in the managed services sector. Data shows 92% of MSPs experiencing AI-driven growth with 96% expecting continued momentum, yet their readiness to support customers has plummeted from 90% to approximately 50% in just one year. This widening capability gap represents both a challenge and opportunity for OpenText's Secure Cloud platform.

The findings signal a fundamental shift in market dynamics, with MSPs prioritizing integration capability (78% rate it "extremely important") and solution strength (44%) far above pricing considerations (only 8%). This value-over-cost sentiment is reinforced by customer preferences, with 71% favoring comprehensive security bundles that simplify their technology stack.

Most revealing is the evolution of MSP business strategies, with 95% planning service expansion and 57% actively developing new offerings. The primary focus on integration capabilities (38%) rather than pricing suggests OpenText's integrated platform approach aligns precisely with market direction.

For investors, this data indicates OpenText's positioning at the intersection of two powerful trends: accelerating AI adoption and the urgent need for simplified, integrated security solutions. Their emphasis on bundled services and channel partner support appears strategically aligned with the market's evolving needs, potentially driving sustainable growth as MSPs adapt to AI-driven security demands.

Global survey of over 1,000 MSPs reveals AI demand is outpacing provider preparedness, fueling urgency for integrated, scalable security solutions

WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenText (NASDAQ: OTEX) (TSX: OTEX), a global leader in Secure Information Management for AI, today released the findings of its third annual Global Managed Security Survey. The study shows that while AI is unlocking major growth opportunities for managed service providers (MSPs), many are struggling to keep pace with customer expectations for readiness, security, and simplicity.

The survey of more than 1,000 MSPs found that 92% are experiencing growth driven by AI interest, and 96% expect that trend to continue this year. Yet only about half feel prepared to guide small and mid-sized business (SMB) customers in adopting AI tools, citing limited resources, tool sprawl, and the challenge of standardizing services across customer environments. This marks a sharp decline from last year, when 90% of MSPs felt ready to meet AI-related security needs—highlighting that the readiness gap is rapidly widening, not closing.

"MSPs are under pressure to match the pace of AI adoption by their SMB customers," says Michael DePalma, Vice President of Business Development at OpenText Cybersecurity. "They need security partners who can deliver integrated, scalable services that reduce tool fatigue and simplify operations. That's exactly, what OpenText Secure Cloud platform provides – flexible bundles, simplified deployment, and a channel team with deep industry expertise to help MSPs achieve scalable, profitable growth that meets the accelerating demands of AI-driven security."

Key survey findings include:

AI demand is surging, but MSP AI readiness lags

• 92% of MSPs report business growth from AI interest, and 96% expect growth this year.
• Despite these findings, only about half feel ready to guide SMBs in deploying AI tools, down 90% in 2024.
• Less than half have built or deployed AI cybersecurity agents for SMB customers.
• Many are using AI internally to build expertise: 67% use it for customer support, 66% for technical support/ticket triage, and 58% for threat detection and response.
• AI expertise has become the third most important MSP attribute for SMBs, following threat prevention and 24/7 support.

Simplicity outweighs costs as SMBs battle tool fatigue

• Customers citing cost savings as a primary challenge dropped from 28% in 2023 to just 17% in 2025.
• Bundled security packages are gaining traction: 71% of SMBs prefer all-in-one prevention, detection and response bundles; followed by 45% preferring endpoint, network and email security bundles.
• Ease of integration ranks as "extremely important" for 78% of MSPs, outranking vendor count.
• Nearly half of MSPs (44%) cite strength of security solutions as the leading factor in purchasing decisions, compared to just 8% citing price.

Service expansion becomes the new engine for growth

• 95% of MSPs plan to expand managed service offerings in the next year, and 57% are actively developing new services.
• Priorities for these new services include integration across tools (38%) followed by high attach-rate with core services (18%), and broad applicability across SMB verticals (16%).
• Referrals are the leading source of new SMB customers (32%), followed by online search and digital ads (29%) and technology marketplaces (25%).

For additional findings from the OpenText Cybersecurity 2025 Global Managed Security Survey, view the infographic. To learn more about how OpenText supports MSPs through practices like bundling, services expansion, and providing a collaborative channel program, explore the Canalys Partner Ecosystem Multiplier (PEM) 2025 Study.

Survey Methodology

In September 2025, OpenText Cybersecurity surveyed 1,019 managers, c-level executives, security professionals, and customer relationship managers at MSPs in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Respondents represented MSPs ranging in size from 1 to 500 employees.

About OpenText Cybersecurity

OpenText Cybersecurity provides comprehensive security solutions for companies and partners of all sizes. From prevention, detection and response to recovery, investigation and compliance, our unified/end-to-end platform helps customers build cyber resilience via a holistic security portfolio. Powered by actionable insights from our real-time and contextual threat intelligence, OpenText Cybersecurity customers benefit from high-efficacy products, a compliant experience and simplified security to help manage business risk. 

About OpenText

OpenText™ is a leading Cloud and AI company that provides organizations around the world with a comprehensive suite of Business AI, Business Clouds, and Business Technology.  We help organizations grow, innovate, become more efficient and effective, and do so in a trusted and secure way – through Information Management. For more information about OpenText (NASDAQ/TSX: OTEX), please visit us at www.OpenText.com.  

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Certain statements in this press release may contain words considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on OpenText's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which the company operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and the actual outcome may be materially different. OpenText's assumptions, although considered reasonable by the company at the date of this press release, may prove to be inaccurate and consequently its actual results could differ materially from the expectations set out herein. For additional information with respect to risks and other factors which could occur, see OpenText's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC and other securities regulators. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, OpenText disclaims any intention or obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further, readers should note that we may announce information using our website, press releases, securities law filings, public conference calls, webcasts and the social media channels identified on the Investors section of our website (https://investors.OpenText.com). Such social media channels may include the Company's or our CEO's blog, Twitter account or LinkedIn account. The information posted through such channels may be material. Accordingly, readers should monitor such channels in addition to our other forms of communication. 

Copyright © 2024 OpenText. All Rights Reserved. Trademarks owned by OpenText. One or more patents may cover this product(s). For more information, please visit https://www.OpenText.com/patents. 

 

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SOURCE Open Text Corporation

FAQ

What percentage of MSPs are experiencing AI-driven growth according to OpenText's 2025 survey?

According to the survey, 92% of MSPs are experiencing growth driven by AI interest, and 96% expect that trend to continue this year.

How has MSP AI readiness changed from 2024 to 2025?

MSP AI readiness has significantly declined, dropping from 90% in 2024 to only about 50% in 2025, indicating a rapidly widening readiness gap.

What percentage of SMBs prefer bundled security packages according to the OpenText survey?

71% of SMBs prefer all-in-one prevention, detection and response bundles, while 45% prefer endpoint, network and email security bundles.

How many MSPs did OpenText survey for their 2025 Global Managed Security Survey?

OpenText surveyed 1,019 MSPs across the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, including managers, c-level executives, security professionals, and customer relationship managers.

What are the main ways MSPs are currently using AI internally?

MSPs are primarily using AI for customer support (67%), technical support/ticket triage (66%), and threat detection and response (58%).