If you’re a sci-fi fan, TRON: Ares hits the big screen this weekend. The third film in the franchise features an AI “being” crossing from the digital world into the real one—a theme that feels closer to reality than ever for MSPs. As automation, AI, and agentic AI reshape service delivery and security, staying current on channel developments is critical.
This week’s news spans major product launches like Kaseya’s INKY acquisition and its upcoming AI-powered Digital Workforce, CyberFOX’s DNS filtering debut, and WatchGuard’s next-gen Firebox rollout. Plus, there are fresh integrations from OpenText and 1Password, new Barracuda threat intel, and some eye-opening identity threat stats from RSA.
So if you’re planning to spend a few hours with an AI being this weekend (and some buttery popcorn), don’t worry—we’ve got all the channel highlights you need below.
Happy reading!
Products & Solutions
Kaseya Acquires INKY and Supercharges Backup Portfolio at DattoCon 2025
Kaseya came out swinging at its sold-out DattoCon 2025 conference in Miami Beach. The company announced the acquisition of INKY, which brings advanced, AI-driven phishing protection into the Kaseya 365 User ecosystem; Datto Backup for Microsoft Entra ID, delivering identity data protection for a critical threat vector; and Datto SIRIS 6, the latest in its line of value-focused recovery appliances. Kaseya also provided a sneak peek at its forthcoming AI-powered Digital Workforce.
For all the details, continue reading here
CyberFOX Strengthens Cybersecurity Suite with AI-Powered DNS Filtering for MSPs
CyberFOX announced a DNS filtering solution this week, making it the third solution in its cybersecurity portfolio alongside CyberFOX AutoElevate for privileged access management and CyberFOX Password Manager.
Built for MSPs and IT teams, CyberFOX DNS Filtering automatically blocks malicious websites, phishing attempts, and unwanted content. Features include AI pattern recognition to identify and categorize unknown malicious sites in real time; support for IPv6, which ensures scalability and compatibility with modern internet standards; real-time reporting and insights; customizable rules, and fast deployment. Introductory pricing is 25 cents per agent.
Continue reading here for a conversation with CyberFOX CEO David Bellini on the company’s roadmap.
WatchGuard’s Next-Gen Firebox Rackmounts Deliver Scalable, Integrated Security for MSPs and Growing Networks
WatchGuard Technologies launched its next-generation Firebox rackmount appliances—the Firebox M Series with five different models tailored to fit different needs. The new models empower MSPs and their customers with enterprise-grade security built for growing networks and modern hybrid environments, according to WatchGuard.
The Firebox M Series integrates with WatchGuard’s Unified Security Platform and delivers sustained high throughput—even with full security services enabled. The appliances have built-in remote workforce protection via FireCloud Total Access, WatchGuard’s cloud-native zero trust network access (ZTNA) solution.
The firewalls feature up to 10 Gbps per interface, now standard across the lineup; Intel-powered architecture; ZTNA support; the ability to expand capabilities through firmware updates and service tiers, no new hardware required; and a sustainable design with reduced packaging and recyclable materials.
All Firebox M Series models integrate with WatchGuard Cloud, enabling centralized management, XDR-powered detection with ThreatSync, and zero trust identity enforcement via AuthPoint MFA.
The Firebox M Series is available now through WatchGuard’s global partner network.
Barracuda Rolls Out Financial Services and New Threat Intel Research
Barracuda Networks introduced two new offerings this week, financial services and an online threat intel resource.
Financial Services
Barracuda Financial Services, offered in conjunction with Capchase, offers Barracuda customers flexible payment options for multiyear contracts, while ensuring resellers and distributors receive full payment upfront.
Barracuda Financial Services integrates into existing workflows with no added paperwork or format changes. It embeds digital payment links directly into sales processes, and pre-qualification and approval processes run seamlessly behind the scenes.
Barracuda Financial Services is available now through Barracuda’s global reseller and distributor network. Partners can request financing options through their Barracuda representative, with real-time approvals powered by Capchase’s automated underwriting platform.
Research
The new Barracuda Research is a centralized resource for threat intelligence, real-world incident analysis, email threat detection data from Barracuda AI, and more. Barracuda Research is designed to equip MSPs, IT, and security professionals with actionable insights to understand the latest threats facing organizations.
Barracuda Research features summaries of Barracuda’s latest threat analysis reports. These cover notable email attack tactics seen in the wild by Barracuda threat analysts, the latest threats targeting organizations seen by Barracuda’s SOC analysts, step-by-step analysis of recent real-world incidents mitigated by Barracuda Managed XDR, and more.
The insight is based on the analysis of trillions of IT events, AI-powered threat detection, individual security incidents, and mitigations.
“We’re launching Barracuda Research to meet the growing need of customers and partners for high-quality threat intelligence that is easy to understand and action,” said Neal Bradbury, chief product officer at Barracuda, in a press statement. “Approximately one in three smaller and midmarket organizations around the world worry about how to source and make use of threat intelligence to enhance security, and almost half believe the increasingly evasive nature of cyberthreats makes them harder to spot and respond to. Barracuda Research helps to address those challenges.”
Apptega Adds Third-Party Risk Manager to Platform
Apptega, a security, compliance and risk platform, launched its Third-Party Risk Manager module, giving MSPs and MSSPs the tools to proactively identify, monitor, and mitigate third-party risk on behalf of their clients, according to the company.
The offering evolves Apptega’s Vendor Risk module, enabling enterprise-grade partner and vendor risk analysis for organizations of all sizes and maturity levels. Apptega’s Third Party Risk Manager, in combination with its Risk Management module, allows businesses to create holistic views of risk across their entire attack surface, facilitating the identification of vulnerabilities and risk gaps, and ensuring a comprehensive assessment of third parties.
Key features include centralized platform management, visibility into vulnerabilities and risk gaps, custom vendor questionnaires and scoring, automatic scoring and assessment, and focused remediation.
Object First Announces Immutable Storage Appliance, New Solutions for Veeam-based Edge Environments
Object First announced Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) Mini, a new compact immutable storage appliance. It’s designed for remote and branch offices, edge environments, and small businesses to ransomware-proof local Veeam backup data. Ootbi Mini is available in 8, 16, and 24 terabyte capacities.
Built on zero trust principles, Ootbi Mini delivers absolute immutability, which means no one, not even an admin, can alter the firmware, operating system, storage layer, or backup data. Ootbi Mini has the same ransomware-proof data protection, user interface, and Veeam integration as the existing Ootbi fleet—no security expertise required. Ootbi Mini is available as either a CapEx purchase or a consumption-based subscription. It can be ordered now, with deliveries beginning in January 2026.
Object First also announced Ootbi Honeypot in version 1.7. With just two clicks, Honeypot deploys a decoy VBR environment on a securely segmented part of Ootbi, acting as a tripwire. If any suspicious activity is detected, Honeypot immediately sends alerts through the customer’s preferred channel. Honeypot is available at no cost to current Ootbi customers using version 1.7.
In addition, the company announced a beta program for Ootbi Fleet Manager, a cloud-based application that allows customers to monitor their entire Ootbi fleet from a single dashboard. Fleet Manager provides customized organization of clusters, with granular monitoring and reporting for Ootbi devices. Users can view a complete breakdown of their footprint, including hardware health and utilization.
Distribution & Marketplaces
TD SYNNEX Launches AI Infrastructure-as-a-Service Offering
TD SYNNEX debuted its AI Infrastructure-as-a-Service (AI IaaS) offering in North America, in partnership with Nebius, an AI cloud service provider. The new service gives partners access to Nebius AI Cloud and enhances TD SYNNEX’s Destination AI program.
“As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, our partners need infrastructure that allows them to innovate with speed and efficiency,” said Francisco Criado, SVP, cloud, security and AI at TD SYNNEX, in a press statement. “Launching AI IaaS with an industry leader like Nebius helps us democratize the modern AI market and delivers the flexibility, scale, and cost advantages partners need to help enterprises realize the full potential of AI.”
TD SYNNEX’s AI IaaS service provides direct access to NVIDIA GPUs on Nebius infrastructure, with flat-rate pricing and advanced scale-up and scale-out compute fabric performance through NVIDIA Quantum-X800 InfiniBand and NVIDIA NVLink for large-scale training and inference.
TD SYNNEX said it plans to add more AI IaaS offerings over the coming months.
Partnerships & Integrations
OpenText Expands Core Threat Detection and Response with Deep Microsoft Integrations
OpenText’s OpenText Core Threat Detection and Response, an AI-powered cybersecurity solution, is now fully integrated with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Entra ID, and Microsoft Copilot for Security.
OpenText Core Threat Detection and Response extends Microsoft Copilot for Security with behavior-based indicators and identity context from continuous endpoint and user analysis—yielding more relevant summaries, guided investigations, and recommended actions, according to the company.
“With OpenText Core Threat Detection and Response, we’re simplifying security while delivering stronger protection against insider threats and sophisticated, hard-to-detect attacks,” said Muhi Majzoub, OpenText EVP, security products, in a press statement. “Powered by AI and built with deep integration into Microsoft security tools, OpenText Core Threat Detection and Response filters out the noise and surfaces the most relevant, high-confidence threats—including those that often go unnoticed. This allows security teams to respond with greater speed, precision, and confidence.”
OpenText Core Threat Detection and Response is available now as part of the OpenText Cybersecurity Cloud.
Field Effect and Beauceron Partner for Security Awareness Training
MDR vendor Field Effect announced a new partnership with Beauceron Security, a security awareness training provider. Through this partnership, Beauceron Security’s awareness training will now be available as an upgrade to Field Effect’s MDR solution.
“Cybersecurity is as much about people as it is technology,” said Matt Holland, CEO and founder of Field Effect, in a press statement. “This partnership gives organizations the tools to turn their employees into one of their strongest defenses against cyberattacks, while keeping world-class protection in place behind the scenes.”
MobileRMM Integrates with ConnectWise PSA
The latest release of the MobileRMM mobile device management platform now integrates with ConnectWise PSA. It will automatically update ConnectWise PSA as devices are added, changed, or removed, giving MSPs accurate billing and up-to-date records.
Designed for MSPs and IT service providers, MobileRMM is built on Microsoft Azure, providing a secure, scalable, multitenant environment. The platform supports both company-owned and personally owned iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices and includes advanced policy enforcement, application management, and automated monthly billing.
Reports in ConnectWise PSA now cover smartphones and tablets as well as existing IT assets. Technicians can launch the MobileRMM admin portal within ConnectWise PSA.
1Password and Browserbase Partner to Secure Credential Access for Agentic AI Automation
1Password, an identity security provider, announced Secure Agentic Autofill, a new capability that securely delivers credentials to AI agents operating in the browser. Available exclusively in early access through an integration with Browserbase, a cloud browser automation platform, Secure Agentic Autofill allows AI agents to authenticate with web services without ever exposing credentials.
“AI is opening up new ways to help people work smarter and get more done, but the fundamentals of security don’t change,” said David Faugno, CEO of 1Password, in a press statement. “At 1Password, we have always believed security should empower productivity, not block it. By partnering with Browserbase, we’re making it simple for teams to build and innovate with Agentic AI while keeping credentials and sensitive data protected by default. That way, you can focus on creating real value, knowing agentic AI identity security is built in by default.”
Key features of the integration include the ability to connect a 1Password vault to Browserbase Director through a desktop setup, just-in-time authentication, real-time approval prompts for humans via 1Password mobile or desktop, and automatic credential mapping. In addition, credentials are not shared with the LLM or exposed in Browserbase logs and repos, maintaining 1Password’s security model.
Secure Agentic Autofill is available in early access beginning October 8, 2025, for 1Password customers using Browserbase.
People
Cybersecurity company Coro appointed Neill Burton as VP and GM of EMEA. The appointment follows Coro’s entry into the EMEA region beginning this year and underscores the company’s commitment to accelerate its international expansion. Burton has held senior channel executive roles at DigiCert, Proofpoint, F5 Networks, and BMC Software … Halcyon, an anti-ransomware solution provider, appointment of Dave Pawlowski as worldwide VP of channels and MSSP. Previously, Pawlowski was the director of service provider partner sales, North America, at Palo Alto Networks. He’s also held roles at Pure Storage, Dell Technologies, NetApp and Tanium.
By the Numbers
Identity Threats on the Rise, with Service Desks a Prime Target
Identity-related threats are becoming more frequent and expensive than ever, according to RSA’s just released 2026 IQ Report. Here are the key findings:
Identity-Related Breaches More Frequent and Costly: 69% of organizations experienced an identity-related breach in the last three years, a 27% increase year-over-year. The increase suggests either a surge in successful identity attacks, better detection or reporting, or both. When breaches do occur, 45% of organizations said the cost of an identity-related breach exceeded the typical cost defined by IBM, with 24% saying costs exceeded $10M.
Service Desks Under Attack: After several breaches on high-profile companies that originated at their help desks, including MGM Resorts and House of Dior, it should come as no surprise that 65% of organizations are seriously concerned about a similar attack. In these attacks, threat actors call help desks to bypass MFA or create new accounts by posing as a legitimate user. The threat is exacerbated by organizations’ continued use of non-phishing resistant authentication methods, such as passwords, OTPs, and shared secrets.
Passwordless Adoption Moving Slowly: While the report found that passwordless authentication is correlated with a decrease in identity-related breaches, adoption is moving slowly. Challenges include concerns regarding security (57% of respondents), user experience (56%), and a lack of complete platform support (52%).
The good news is, AI continues to be more of a boon than a bane to cybersecurity, according to 83% of respondents. IT providers are taking action because of this, with 91% of organizations implementing AI into their tech stack this year.
—Staff writer Sarah Jordan contributed reporting to this roundup.