AI-powered threats are no longer theoretical - they’re accelerating how breaches happen and reducing the time organisations have to respond. For partners, the challenge is clear: how do you keep customers protected as attacks become faster, more automated and harder to detect?
► The speed, scale, and orchestration of attacks is increasing
► Prevention, validation and tighter processes are essential
► Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are likely to see rising demand for expertise
AI is fundamentally changing how cyberattacks are executed. Large language models (LLMs) are enabling more sophisticated, multi-stage incursions while dramatically shortening the path from initial breach to full compromise. In one example, AI accelerated a cloud attack from initial access to widespread compromise in just three days. In another, an autonomous AI agent carried out an intrusion and extortion campaign - mapping systems, gathering data and issuing ransom demands.
The defining challenge is speed. Tasks that previously required weeks of specialist effort can now be executed in hours, reducing reliance on traditional zero-day techniques and increasing the likelihood of widespread impact before detection.
What can partners and their customers do?
Prevention remains critical. Organisations need to close gaps, tighten processes and ensure systems are consistently updated and patched. That includes strengthening application security, improving identity and access management, and enforcing multi-factor authentication alongside regular credential updates.
Regular validation is equally important - checking configurations, patching vulnerabilities quickly, and segmenting networks to limit lateral movement. Cloud workloads should be isolated where possible, with stricter IP-based controls and tighter governance over administrative access.
At the same time, response readiness must evolve. Documented and ideally automated incident response processes help ensure faster, more consistent action when threats are detected. Continuous monitoring and proactive threat hunting can also help identify early signs of AI-driven compromise.
However, these capabilities require specialist skills. As cybercriminals increasingly adopt AI, many organisations will struggle to match that pace internally - creating a growing opportunity for MSSPs to deliver expertise, monitoring and rapid response.
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Destination AI
Destination AI from TD SYNNEX is our comprehensive end-to-end programme designed to help you and your customers get ahead of the AI curve.
