Talent shortages, integration woes and cost-related issues were the obstacles unearthed in a survey of a cybersecurity firm’s own channel partners.

For all the optimism around the promise of AI in driving operational efficiency, concerns remain around the security threats that the AI boom has enabled.

One cybersecurity firm, LogRhythm, conducted an impromptu survey of its channel partners to gauge their approach and perceptions, and found the following trends.

At the firm’s event in Thailand in Nov 2023, some 35% of the channel partners pinpointed the absence of skilled AI professionals as the top obstacle, followed by integration with existing systems (23%). Only 15% cited that their AI adoption efforts were hindered by cost-related issues.

Over a third of the channel partners polled cited that clients were now using AI tools, with around two-thirds employing AI in their operations. Other impromptu findings include:

    • 47% of LogRhythm’s channel partners cited concerns about AI tools causing data leaks, with 18% citing anxiety about potential leaks of proprietary business data.
    • 28% of respondents have been proactively addressing these looming threats by undertaking risk assessments, and 28% citing laying down internal AI usage policies and guidelines.

According to Joanne Wong, Vice President (International Markets), LogRhythm: “Despite the advantages AI offers in terms of automation, human expertise remains paramount in bridging the gap between the capabilities of an AI solution, and an organization’s unique requirements,” adding it is reassuring to see the firm’s channel partners taking measures like risk assessments and implementation of internal guidelines.

“While the potential of AI to transform operational efficiencies and drive bottom lines is immense, it is just as important that businesses take a measured approach to the adoption of AI. This includes managing the associated security and privacy risks associated with its implementation, acknowledging that the threat landscape has significantly increased with the availability of nefarious AI,
and investing in the right tools and resources that can monitor and action on potential threats at speed and scale,” Wong commented.