The latest version of JumpCloud’s SME IT Trends Report, titled “Detours Ahead: How IT Navigates an Evolving World,” has been released today. This biannual survey of IT teams at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sheds light on how IT professionals are addressing the increasing threat of shadow IT and AI, managing complex device and IT environments, their relationship with managed service providers (MSPs), as well as their biggest challenges and preferences.
According to Greg Keller, co-founder and chief technology officer of JumpCloud, IT teams are facing numerous challenges such as economic uncertainty, security threats, and device diversity. Despite these obstacles, IT admins are described as resilient and resourceful. Keller highlights that 84% of IT admins are concerned about shadow IT and emphasizes the importance of deploying tools to detect rogue apps in order to enhance visibility and control.
The report underscores the significance of control and visibility for IT teams, with 49% expressing concerns about inadequate resources and staff to combat cybersecurity threats effectively. The findings reveal that 84% of IT teams are apprehensive about applications managed outside of IT, with several factors hindering efforts to address shadow IT.
Key findings from the report include the prevalence of diverse device environments in SMEs, the necessity for centralizing IT management, the challenges posed by managing multiple credentials, and the increasing importance of cybersecurity. The report also highlights the rising threat of cyberattacks, with phishing, shadow IT, stolen credentials, and breaches being common sources of security incidents.
Additionally, the report discusses SMEs’ reliance on MSPs for various functions, the expected increase in MSP investments, and the benefits derived from working with MSPs. It also addresses IT teams’ evolving perceptions of AI, concerns about AI outpacing security capabilities, and the varying responses to adopting AI responsibly.
For those interested in exploring the full report, “Detours Ahead: How IT Navigates an Evolving World,” it can be downloaded from the JumpCloud website. The report covers a wide range of topics including AI, IT trends, cybersecurity, and the impact of MSPs on SMEs.
