Closing the SMB Security Gap
SMBs often choose tools based on price and ease of use, which leaves them exposed when attackers target more advanced weaknesses. Tracy Ryan, AVP, Global MSSP/MSP at SentinelOne, told MSSP Alert that Managed AI Defense is designed to meet SMBs where they are."Managed AI Defense is designed specifically with the SMB reality in mind. SMBs are under increasing pressure from compliance requirements and customer expectations around data protection, yet they often lack the expertise and resources of large enterprises. With Managed AI Defense, we’re helping MSPs deliver a baseline security standard that goes far beyond endpoint-only solutions, in a way that’s simple and affordable,” said Ryan.
"Unlike many SMB-focused platforms that sacrifice depth for simplicity, SentinelOne ensures MSPs can offer the same robust feature set enterprises rely on, but tailored for SMB needs,” Ryan added.
Partnering With Pax8 for Reach and Adoption
The launch of Managed AI Defense starts with Pax8, one of the most influential marketplaces for MSPs. This move gives SentinelOne immediate scale and positions MSPs to adopt the program quickly, using procurement systems they already trust."Pax8 is a trusted leader in the MSP ecosystem, and launching first with them gives us immediate reach into thousands of partners who serve the SMB market every day. It also means MSPs can access Managed AI Defense in the same streamlined, familiar way they already procure and deliver cloud services,” Ryan said.
"Supporting the managed services ecosystem is a top priority, and we want to ensure partners have the resources, training, and confidence to adopt and deliver Managed AI Defense effectively. That said, we are already engaged with additional partners and marketplaces to expand availability and make the program accessible to the broader ecosystem,” she explained.
SMBs Should Care
Many SMBs already get bundled security tools from vendors, but those often check compliance boxes without addressing real threats. Ryan pointed out that Managed AI Defense is different because it combines advanced capabilities with managed delivery."What sets Managed AI Defense apart is how it directly addresses the highest-risk areas for SMBs,” said Ryan. "Purple AI bridges the skills gap by giving MSPs and SMBs the ability to analyze and respond to threats with enterprise-level speed and precision. Network discovery and vulnerability management uncover unseen risks and misconfigurations that attackers frequently exploit. Threat hunting adds a proactive layer of defense with experts actively searching for emerging tactics and attack paths before they cause damage.”
