Rise in Remote Work Drives New Ventures; Insurers Address AI Risks as CISA Alters Info Sharing
05/13/25 • 13 min
Remote work is driving a significant startup boom, reshaping the IT services market. A recent study indicates that companies with higher levels of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have seen a notable increase in employee startups, with an estimated 11.6% of new business formations attributed to this trend. Despite major corporations reinstating return-to-office mandates, remote work adoption in the U.S. has risen from 19.9% in late 2022 to 23.6% in early 2025, highlighting a growing demand for tools and services that support distributed teams. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for employers, as they risk losing key talent to new ventures while also facing higher employee attrition rates.
The insurance industry is beginning to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) by offering new products to cover potential losses from AI-related errors. Lloyds of London has introduced a policy that protects businesses from legal claims arising from malfunctioning AI systems, reflecting a growing recognition of AI as an operational risk. This development raises important questions about accountability and liability when AI systems fail, as seen in recent incidents involving customer service chatbots. As insurers start to underwrite AI risks, companies must adapt their service level agreements and governance structures to meet new requirements.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced a significant change in how it shares information, focusing on urgent alerts related to emerging threats while reducing routine updates. This shift, coupled with budget cuts that could reduce CISA's funding by 17%, raises concerns about the agency's capacity to respond to increasing cyber threats. IT services firms and cybersecurity vendors must adapt to this new landscape, as the responsibility for threat detection and response shifts more towards the private sector. Organizations that previously relied on CISA for support may find themselves facing increased operational risks due to reduced visibility and slower response times.
In a related development, Microsoft has extended support for its Office applications on Windows 10 until October 2028, allowing users more time to transition to Windows 11. This decision reflects a broader trend in the technology sector, where companies are adapting their support strategies to meet user needs. By decoupling the upgrade cycles for Windows and Office, Microsoft acknowledges the resistance to forced upgrades and the importance of maintaining enterprise customer relationships. This extension provides IT service providers with additional time for operational planning while emphasizing the ongoing need for modernization in the long term.
Four things to know today
00:00 Remote Work Fuels Startup Surge, Alters IT Talent Strategies Amid Growing Demand for Flexibility
05:07 From Chatbot Lawsuits to Pontifical Warnings: AI Errors Now Seen as Business and Social Risk
07:57 CISA Alert Shift and Budget Cuts Signal Rising Cybersecurity Burden for Private Sector
10:08 Office Gets a Lifeline on Windows 10: Microsoft Decouples OS and App Upgrades Through 2028
Supported by: https://syncromsp.com/
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
Follow us on:
<...
Remote work is driving a significant startup boom, reshaping the IT services market. A recent study indicates that companies with higher levels of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have seen a notable increase in employee startups, with an estimated 11.6% of new business formations attributed to this trend. Despite major corporations reinstating return-to-office mandates, remote work adoption in the U.S. has risen from 19.9% in late 2022 to 23.6% in early 2025, highlighting a growing demand for tools and services that support distributed teams. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges for employers, as they risk losing key talent to new ventures while also facing higher employee attrition rates.
The insurance industry is beginning to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) by offering new products to cover potential losses from AI-related errors. Lloyds of London has introduced a policy that protects businesses from legal claims arising from malfunctioning AI systems, reflecting a growing recognition of AI as an operational risk. This development raises important questions about accountability and liability when AI systems fail, as seen in recent incidents involving customer service chatbots. As insurers start to underwrite AI risks, companies must adapt their service level agreements and governance structures to meet new requirements.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced a significant change in how it shares information, focusing on urgent alerts related to emerging threats while reducing routine updates. This shift, coupled with budget cuts that could reduce CISA's funding by 17%, raises concerns about the agency's capacity to respond to increasing cyber threats. IT services firms and cybersecurity vendors must adapt to this new landscape, as the responsibility for threat detection and response shifts more towards the private sector. Organizations that previously relied on CISA for support may find themselves facing increased operational risks due to reduced visibility and slower response times.
In a related development, Microsoft has extended support for its Office applications on Windows 10 until October 2028, allowing users more time to transition to Windows 11. This decision reflects a broader trend in the technology sector, where companies are adapting their support strategies to meet user needs. By decoupling the upgrade cycles for Windows and Office, Microsoft acknowledges the resistance to forced upgrades and the importance of maintaining enterprise customer relationships. This extension provides IT service providers with additional time for operational planning while emphasizing the ongoing need for modernization in the long term.
Four things to know today
00:00 Remote Work Fuels Startup Surge, Alters IT Talent Strategies Amid Growing Demand for Flexibility
05:07 From Chatbot Lawsuits to Pontifical Warnings: AI Errors Now Seen as Business and Social Risk
07:57 CISA Alert Shift and Budget Cuts Signal Rising Cybersecurity Burden for Private Sector
10:08 Office Gets a Lifeline on Windows 10: Microsoft Decouples OS and App Upgrades Through 2028
Supported by: https://syncromsp.com/
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
Follow us on:
<...
Previous Episode
U.S.-China Tariff Agreement Fuels Market Growth; AI Layoffs and AEO Shift Digital Marketing Focus
The recent U.S.-China tariff truce has led to a significant surge in global markets, with the U.S. reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% and China lowering its tariffs on American imports from 125% to 10%. While this agreement has provided short-term relief, it has also triggered caution among Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who are now deferring IT projects and prioritizing cost management. A survey indicates that nearly two-thirds of IT leaders are focusing on cost control, with many reporting delays in discretionary IT spending, reflecting a shift from initial optimism to a more cautious approach.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued a report warning that generative AI companies may be infringing copyright laws by using creators' works without permission. This has raised significant legal and political concerns, especially following the dismissal of the office's director shortly after the report's release. The implications for IT service providers are profound, as they must now navigate increased legal ambiguity and compliance risks related to the provenance of training data used in AI models.
Moreover, a recent survey revealed that many business leaders who implemented AI-driven layoffs regret their decisions, with over half acknowledging that their choices were misguided. As organizations face a global skills shortage, experts caution against hastily reducing headcount without a strategic plan for workforce transformation. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that a significant portion of jobs is at risk of displacement due to automation, emphasizing the need for reskilling and upskilling workers in vulnerable roles.
Finally, the emergence of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) marks a shift in digital marketing strategies, focusing on optimizing content for AI-driven conversational interfaces rather than traditional search engine optimization. As generative AI platforms reshape how consumers access information, businesses must adapt their content strategies to remain visible in an evolving digital landscape. This shift underscores the importance of providing tangible value in services, as consumers increasingly prioritize measurable business outcomes over ideological narratives.
Four things to know today
00:00 Markets Rally on U.S.–China Tariff Truce, But CIOs and Consumers Signal Deeper Economic Uncertainty
09:42 Automation Without Alignment: Firms That Cut Staff for AI Now Face Strategic Reversals
13:06 AI-Native Discovery Rises: Answer Engine Optimization Signals SEO’s Next Evolution
Supported by:
https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship
https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/
Instagram:
Next Episode
Europe's Vulnerability Database Launches as U.S. Cybersecurity Falters; AI Adoption Trends Revealed
The European Vulnerability Database (EUVD) has officially launched, providing a vital platform for monitoring critical security flaws amid challenges faced by the U.S. in cybersecurity funding and management. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and deliver essential information on vulnerabilities, addressing gaps left by the U.S. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program, which has been hindered by budget cuts and operational delays. The EUVD not only identifies disclosed bugs but also offers real-time updates on critical vulnerabilities, ensuring users have access to the latest security risk information.
As the EUVD begins operations, it highlights a strategic divergence in cybersecurity approaches between the EU and the U.S., which could have direct implications for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and their clients. If U.S. vulnerability reporting continues to decline, there may be a shift towards EUVD as a primary source for global security tooling and threat feeds. This would necessitate a reevaluation of the sources used for threat detection and patch prioritization by providers, especially if vendor feeds start integrating EUVD data more directly.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, tech executives are increasingly adopting agentic AI, with nearly half of respondents in a recent survey indicating they have begun implementing such systems. However, despite the enthusiasm, many organizations are struggling to achieve significant returns on their AI investments, with only a small percentage reporting successful scaling of AI initiatives. The disconnect between ambition and execution presents an opportunity for IT service providers to bridge the gap and help organizations effectively deploy AI solutions.
Additionally, product-related news highlights the launch of new tools aimed at enhancing cybersecurity and operational efficiency for MSPs. Coro has introduced a Security Awareness Training module to combat phishing attacks, while Sophos has launched a program to help MSPs expand their cybersecurity offerings. FlexPoint and StackPak have also secured funding to enhance their platforms, focusing on automating payment processes and improving vendor management, respectively. These developments underscore the growing importance of AI-driven operational tools and the need for MSPs to deepen their involvement in their clients' business operations.
Four things to know today
00:00 Europe Launches Public Vulnerability Database as U.S. Transparency Falters
04:29 Despite Bold Claims on Agentic AI, Most Firms Struggle to Scale—AT&T’s Open-Source Model Stands Out
07:56 From Phishing Defense to AI Payments: Vendors Equip MSPs to Tackle Operational Complexity
11:26 Overpatching May Be a Bigger Risk Than Underpatching, Gartner VP Warns
Supported by: https://afi.ai/office-365-backup/
All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/
Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/
Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/
Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com
Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/business-of-tech-daily-10-minute-it-services-insights-99313/rise-in-remote-work-drives-new-ventures-insurers-address-ai-risks-as-c-91123340"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to rise in remote work drives new ventures; insurers address ai risks as cisa alters info sharing on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy