Cybersecurity, AI and automation are among the topics on the minds of UK & Ireland tech organisations for 2025, according to members of the GTIA UK & Ireland Community. We asked members what to expect this year. Here’s what they had to say.
AI, Analytics Deliver Actionable Insights
“As the owner of a data analytics consultancy, I see 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year for the IT channel. Businesses will lean heavily into AI and real-time analytics to stay ahead, driving demand for solutions that deliver actionable insights quickly and efficiently. Sustainability is also becoming a core focus, with companies looking for data-driven ways to optimise operations and reduce environmental impact. Success will require a balance of innovation, compliance, and the ability to deliver meaningful, measurable value to clients.” – Hollie Whittles, InfoSec Director, Purple Frog Systems
Automation Foundations Pay Big Dividends
“I believe 2025 will be the year that the automation foundations that MSPs have been learning and building will see fruition. Those businesses that have put in the hard yards figuring out what to automate, defining why automating a process will benefit their team, clients and bottom-line and lastly how they can build the automations, will see their work start to pay-off and the flywheel really start to move and accelerate. Building foundations are the hardest part of any project, but once they are in place, they allow you to move at speed and achieve scale.” – Dan Scott, IT Nation community director, ConnectWise
Cybersecurity and AI Become Intertwined
“It is very likely that AI will be used to both better defend threats but also be more affective in attacks. As a much more nimble response to the changing threat landscape AI could be the 24/7 boots on the ground standing guard as part of the security stack. Hopefully there is the ability within the AI development to ensure threat enactment is removed as part of AI DNA.” – Phil Callow, owner and director, Ark ICT Solutions
Recurring Revenue Models Continue to Climb
“There is no doubt the recuring revenue model will continue to grow for services. Hardware is still lagging software-as-a-service, and as long as the prices continue to fall for the monthly billing options, it is very likely monthly hardware monthly revenue will increase. Larger parts of the cybersecurity stack will also become part of standard contracts, with services such as SOC becoming part of the standard security offering rather than a premium offering.” – Phil Callow, owner and director, Ark ICT Solutions
Understanding AI Productivity vs. Hype Is Critical
“AI may not be making as many headlines, but it's all over marketing at events and unfortunately for businesses being used nefariously by cybercriminals. We’re going to see more tools to help productivity marketed with AI, but we have to keep asking how useful is it, will it save us time? Threats are still coming and those older clients who we haven’t upgraded to our latest stacks need bringing up to date. Then the MSPs who do well are those who collaborate, selecting the valuable events they go to and engage in peer networking and groups.” – John Fisher, managing director, Westway IT
Compliance, Automation Improve Operations, Profitability
“Automation-as-a-service is set to be a major growth area. By delivering scalable and cost-effective automation solutions directly to SME clients, MSPs can help businesses streamline repetitive tasks, optimise operations and improve profitability. This evolution positions MSPs as proactive business enablers, shifting their role from reactive IT providers to strategic partners.
“Similarly, compliance-as-a-service will become increasingly critical. With a complex regulatory landscape and growing compliance demands, SMEs will continue to need expert guidance to meet these challenges. For MSPs, this represents a high-value opportunity to strengthen their role as trusted advisors while addressing a pressing client need.” – Greg Jones, senior vice president of MSP enablement (EMEA), Kaseya
SME Demand Enables the Subscription Economy
“The subscription economy will grow even further in 2025, with SMEs adopting recurring revenue models to enhance customer retention and ensure predictable cash flow. From monthly service subscriptions to quarterly appointments, this shift will drive demand for platforms that manage billing, customer engagement and data analytics. MSPs can capitalise on this trend by helping clients transition seamlessly to subscription-based offerings, creating new growth opportunities.” – Greg Jones, senior vice president of MSP enablement (EMEA), Kaseya
Hyper-Localisation of Services Gain Traction
“Hyper-localisation—customising services for specific regions or communities—will continue to gain traction. This trend allows smaller businesses to compete more effectively by building stronger local connections and tailoring their offerings to meet local needs. MSPs, with their deep understanding of regional markets, are uniquely positioned to help clients leverage hyperlocal data to refine their products, services and marketing strategies.” – Greg Jones, senior vice president of MSP enablement (EMEA), Kaseya
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