IT Nation Connect 2025 brought together thousands of MSPs, IT leaders, and channel innovators at the Hilton Orlando. Across the keynotes, panels, and booth conversations, one message stood out:
AI-powered automation and open integration are shaping the next era of managed security.
OpenText Cybersecurity joined the conversation to share how intelligent automation, flexible integrations, and global threat intelligence are empowering MSPs to deliver stronger protection and measurable outcomes for their clients. The event balanced technical innovation with a spirit of collaboration that continues to define the channel community.
EXPO HALL AND BOOTH HIGHLIGHTS
More than 150 vendors showcased advancements in automation, security, and managed IT. At Booth 265, the OpenText Cybersecurity team engaged with a steady flow of partners and visitors eager to learn how our solutions help MSPs strengthen defenses, streamline operations, and improve client outcomes.
Many attendees already recognized OpenText, while others were surprised to learn they were using our technology every day through Webroot, Zix, and Carbonite. That realization often led to great conversations about settings, features, and integrations they hadn’t explored yet.
Our team spent the week showing MSPs how to simplify security management, speed up detection, and strengthen protection with integrated, intelligence-driven tools:
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Protect against advanced attacks with EDR and zero-trust capabilities supported by more than 500 integrations across endpoint and identity management.
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Detect threats faster with analytics and global threat intelligence that connect IT operations with security visibility.
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Respond automatically to incidents and compliance risks to reduce downtime and keep clients secure.
The booth stayed busy all week, with steady traffic and plenty of friendly, relaxed conversations. Being close to the drinks and food area helped spark casual chats that often turned into meaningful connections with both new and familiar faces.
GIVEAWAYS AND COMMUNITY ENERGY
The booth drew a steady crowd throughout the event, with the Plinko game proving to be a major hit. Attendees stopped by to play, chat, and grab some fun giveaways.
Dog toys, OpenText MDR shirts, and plenty of “It’s Always DNS” magnets were fan favorites, and the hat I wore even became a bit of a conversation starter.
KEYNOTE INSIGHTS: MIKE DEPALMA (OpenText Cybersecurity)
In his brief pre-keynote session, Mike DePalma shared a forward-looking perspective on how MSPs can leverage AI and automation to move from reactive defense to proactive strategy.
He cited research showing that 95 percent of AI projects fail due to misaligned objectives and highlighted how OpenText helps partners align automation with measurable business results.
Key takeaways from his talk included:
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Building resilience through multi-vendor integration and collaboration.
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Leveraging OpenText EDR with flexible trials and contracts designed for MSPs.
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Using security orchestration to deliver faster, more consistent outcomes without adding operational complexity.
MANY people came by the booth because of this well received talk.
CONNECTWISE KEYNOTE HIGHLIGHTS
The opening keynote, “The Platform for What’s Next,” focused on how ConnectWise is advancing the Asio platform to unify data, automation, security, and AI across its product suite.
The recurring theme was clear: data is the oxygen of AI, and MSPs need connected, accurate data to unlock meaningful automation and intelligent operations.
Keynote speakers shared that more than 7,000 partners and 3 million endpoints now run on Asio, positioning it as a foundation for faster innovation and integrated workflows. ConnectWise emphasized the shift from traditional automation to autonomous operations, helping MSPs improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and deliver stronger outcomes for customers.
Major announcements included:
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Asio platform expansion with unified data, shared services, and AI-driven automation.
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A published six-month roadmap on ConnectWise University for full transparency.
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Modernization of ConnectWise PSA with unified billing, better search, customizable layouts, and improved user experience.
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A rebuilt ConnectWise RMM, designed for speed and automation, with 1,200 monitors and 300 free scripts.
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Elastic-powered security enhancements for deeper detection and response.
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Business continuity upgrades through Axio integration.
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Microsoft Copilot and AI partnerships bringing enterprise-grade compliance and security tools to SMBs.
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A new Community Exchange where partners can share automations, scripts, and workflows.
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MDR enhancements, including a fifteen-minute triage SLA and AI-supported analyst workflows.
Overall, the keynote underscored ConnectWise’s commitment to unifying IT and security operations, simplifying partner workflows, and leaning heavily into autonomous capabilities that help MSPs scale efficiently.
LOOKING AHEAD
OpenText closed the event with a forward-looking message: progress happens through partnership.
By combining AI-driven automation, open integration, and global threat intelligence, OpenText continues to help MSPs strengthen their offerings, scale efficiently, and deliver better security outcomes.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
IT Nation Connect 2025 showed how quickly the MSP space is evolving, and how important AI-driven security and integrated automation have become for service providers.
For OpenText, the event reinforced the strength of our position in the market. Partners were already using our technology in meaningful ways, and many walked away realizing how much more capability and value our solutions can unlock for their clients.
The conversations, questions, and genuine engagement throughout the week highlighted the growing demand for flexible, intelligence-driven security that fits directly into the workflows MSPs rely on.
