Guiding clients to secure AI: MSPs' first steps

While many businesses are curious about Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools, most IT service providers find themselves in the planning stages rather than full implementation. This deliberate approach creates a strategic advantage: the opportunity to build security into AI adoption from the ground up rather than retrofitting protections after deployment.

AI adoption is accelerating: Are your clients secure?

For forward-thinking service providers, this preparatory phase is the perfect time to establish a security-first AI strategy. Those who develop expertise in secure AI implementation now will position themselves as trusted advisors when clients inevitably move from curiosity to adoption.

The foundation of this approach? A comprehensive security assessment that identifies vulnerabilities before AI enters the environment.

Start building your MSP security strategy for AI:

Download the AI Cybersecurity Guide

to secure your clients from day one.

Why AI security risks are a wake-up call for MSPs

The statistics tell a compelling story. According to IBM’s 2024 Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach has reached $4.88 million. This is a 10% increase from the previous year. This surge coincides with the rise of AI-powered attacks, including sophisticated phishing, deepfakes and automated exploits designed to bypass traditional security measures.

Meanwhile, 88% of business leaders express significant concerns about AI-driven cyber threats, according to McKinsey’s AI Report 2024. This anxiety is well-founded: AI adoption is outpacing security implementation, creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit.

For managed service providers (MSPs), this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Clients are eager to harness AI’s potential but need expert guidance to navigate the security implications. The question isn’t whether to adopt AI but how to do so securely.

Start with a security assessment: Your AI-Readiness checklist

Before implementing AI solutions like Microsoft Copilot, partners must help clients establish a robust security foundation. A comprehensive security assessment serves as the essential first step in building an MSP security strategy for AI. Think of this as your definitive checklist for implementation.

A properly conducted AI security assessment delivers multiple critical benefits:

Vulnerability identification: Uncovers existing security gaps that AI implementation could inadvertently expose or expand.
Access risk evaluation: Assesses identity and access vulnerabilities, particularly within Microsoft 365 environments that will integrate with Copilot.
Data governance mapping: Evaluates how AI will interact with sensitive data and identifies compliance implications.
Strategic roadmap creation: Provides a clear, prioritized plan for secure AI adoption based on the client’s specific risk profile.

By conducting these assessments, technology advisors demonstrate immediate value, transforming security from a perceived obstacle into a business enabler.

Key tools to strengthen AI Security for your clients

Effective AI security assessments leverage specialized tools designed to identify vulnerabilities in AI-ready environments. MSPs must be proactive in securing AI deployments. Leveraging the right tools ensures clients can confidently adopt AI while mitigating risks.

Enhancing protection with Microsoft Copilot & Lighthouse

Service providers should familiarize themselves with these essential resources:

Microsoft Copilot is powerful, but only when implemented securely. MSPs should leverage Microsoft Lighthouse to manage security across multiple clients and integrate Microsoft Defender for AI-driven threat protection.

Copilot Security features ensure AI-generated content is governed by strong access controls and doesn’t expose sensitive data.
Microsoft Lighthouse enables centralized monitoring of AI security risks.
Microsoft Defender detects AI-enhanced phishing & impersonation attacks.

These tools are essential for protecting AI deployments while maximizing productivity and provides visibility into the client’s security posture, identifies gaps, and offers actionable insights to remediate vulnerabilities before AI deployment.

Developing a long-term security plan for AI adoption

So, how can MSPs guide clients toward AI security readiness? While security assessments provide the foundation, MSPs must build upon this with a holistic approach to AI security. This comprehensive strategy should address:

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM) for AI

AI systems process and generate sensitive data, requiring strict access controls. Implement:

Multi-factor authentication for all AI tool access.
Conditional access policies tailored to AI usage patterns.
Automated access reviews to prevent permission creep.

2. Data protection and governance

AI relies on and generates vast amounts of data, necessitating robust governance frameworks:

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies specifically calibrated for AI-generated content.
Encryption and retention policies for AI data.
Insider Risk Management to detect unusual AI interaction patterns.

3. AI-Specific threat detection

Traditional security tools may miss AI-specific threats. Integrate:

Microsoft Defender XDR for comprehensive threat detection.
Microsoft Sentinel SIEM to identify anomalous AI behavior patterns.
Continuous monitoring of AI-generated content for security risks.

4. Ongoing assessment and adaptation

AI security isn’t static, it requires continuous evaluation and refinement:

Regular security reassessments as AI capabilities expand.
Policy adjustments to address emerging AI threat vectors.
User training on secure AI interaction practices.

Learn how to secure AI adoption for your clients

Turning AI expertise into a competitive edge for MSPs

Clients are eager to adopt AI, but they need MSPs to make it safe. Those who develop a strong MSP security strategy for AI will gain a competitivsherwebe advantage as trusted advisors in this new era of cybersecurity.

Gartner’s Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2025 noted that 60% of organizations have already faced AI-driven cyber incidents, highlighting the urgency for stronger defenses

MSPs that offer AI security services:

- Increase client retention through trusted advisory relationships.
- Generate new revenue streams via ongoing AI security management.
- Differentiate from competitors through specialized AI security expertise.

Secure AI is smart business

As AI reshapes the business landscape, technology partners have a unique opportunity to lead the way in secure implementation. By starting with comprehensive security assessments and building robust AI security strategies, you don’t just protect clients, you enable them to confidently embrace AI-driven innovation.

How Sherweb empowers partners for AI excellence

At Sherweb, we understand the unique challenges technology providers face in securing AI for their clients.

We support MSPs every step of the way in AI readiness and adoption. Our professional services team helps integrate Copilot securely, and we provide resources, training and AI cybersecurity assessments to ensure MSPs can confidently guide their clients through this new wave of digital transformation.

Expert Professional Services: Our in-house security experts can handle everything from initial assessments to implementation, allowing partners to focus on business growth while ensuring client security.
AI cybersecurity framework: Sherweb’s framework supports your MSP security strategy for AI by helping identify, prioritize, and address critical vulnerabilities.
Training and resources: We equip IT service providers with the knowledge and tools needed to position themselves as AI security experts, including webinars, documentation, and hands-on training.

Taking the first step: Your AI security action plan

Ready to help your clients adopt AI securely? Start with these key actions:

Download Sherweb’s AI Cybersecurity Guide for comprehensive insights.
Engage with Sherweb’s Professional Services team for specialized support.
Watch our AI Security Assessment Webinar for more expert insights.

By taking these steps, you’ll position your business as a trusted advisor in the AI era, helping clients harness AI’s potential while maintaining robust security.

Remember: In the AI era, security isn’t an obstacle to adoption, it’s the foundation that makes adoption possible.

Want to take AI security to the next level? Sherweb helps MSPs simplify AI adoption with expert support, training, and hands-on security solutions. Learn how top MSPs are securing AI with Microsoft’s best tools and Sherweb’s enablement resources.

Download Your AI Cybersecurity Guide Now!