Monday Morning Impact – September 7
Gartner: AI Discovery of Cyber Vulnerabilities, a Top Emerging Risk
AI-enabled discovery of cyber vulnerabilities emerged as the most critical emerging risk facing organizations worldwide in the second quarter of 2026, according to Gartner.
“The ability of AI to increase the efficiency and accessibility of vulnerability discovery is making it increasingly difficult for traditional risk management approaches to keep pace,” said Senior Principal Analyst Kevin Mercado. “Without corresponding improvements in governance, security operations, and remediation capabilities, AI-driven vulnerability discovery may outpace organizational defenses, increasing the likelihood of significant cyber incidents and operational disruption.”
While many organizations express confidence in their preparedness for AI-driven cyber threats, the speed and sophistication of AI innovation mean that vulnerabilities can be discovered and weaponized faster than ever, requiring organizations to be more agile and proactive in their response.
To maintain true preparedness, Gartner recommends that technology advisers and clients recalibrate risk impact assessments to account for amplified exposures, strengthen third-party risk controls to ensure vendors are not introducing new risks, and accelerate cyber response strategies to enable faster patching and automated remediation to keep pace with the speed of AI-driven threats.
Beyond cyber vulnerabilities, the report also highlights the prevalence of agentic AI, which involves autonomous systems that operate beyond organizational oversight, and the growing threat to information integrity posed by unreliable data and AI-generated content. In addition, many organizations continue to face significant gaps in workforce preparedness for AI-related technologies, while geopolitical shocks remain a disruptive force in global energy supply chains.
To address this, organizations should update their AI governance strategies, strengthen workforce planning to close AI skill gaps, and adapt risk management practices to keep pace with a rapidly changing environment, according to Gartner.
“AI’s growing capabilities are creating new and complex challenges for cybersecurity, operational resilience and organizational trust,” said Mercado. “To anticipate and counter the risks associated with each, leaders must recognize the impact potential and be prepared for better response.”
The Gartner Quarterly Emerging Risk Report series compiles insights and perspectives from enterprise risk management (ERM) leaders, risk professionals, auditors and senior executives on emerging and future risks. In this latest report, Gartner surveyed 316 senior executives and risk managers across a range of sectors and regions in April and May 2026. Gartner clients can read more in “2Q26 Emerging Risk Report.” and nonclients can read the Quarterly Emerging Risks Report.
Channel Impact®
Appearing for the first time in Gartner’s Quarterly Emerging Risks Report, the Issue highlights how AI is rapidly evolving the corporate risk landscape.
ScanSource to Acquire MicroAge
ScanSource, a South Carolina-based technology distributor, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire MicroAge, an IT solutions integrator, managed services provider (MSP), and digital transformation partner.
MicroAge serves a U.S. client base of approximately 2,400 clients and has more than 200 associates, according to a joint statement by the two companies. MicroAge also has ongoing partnerships with leading suppliers including Microsoft, Dell, Sophos, HPE, CrowdStrike, and VMware.
“MicroAge is an amazing, legendary company that has had tremendous brand recognition for more than 50 years,” said Mike Baur, ScanSource Chair and CEO. “The acquisition expands ScanSource’s total addressable market, adds new services capabilities, and provides greater visibility into end-user needs.”
“We are proud of what the MicroAge team has built, and we see ScanSource as the right partner for our next phase of growth,” said Larry Gentry, CEO of MicroAge. “With ScanSource’s greater reach, resources, and channel expertise, we will be better positioned to scale our services-led model in high-growth markets, while continuing to deliver the customer-first experience that has defined MicroAge.”
Under the agreement, ScanSource will acquire MicroAge in an all-cash transaction for a purchase price of $220.5 million, payable at closing. ScanSource expects to fund the acquisition through borrowings under its existing credit facility. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of September, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
Channel Impact®
The acquisition strengthens ScanSource’s reach into strategic growth technologies, providing a new advantage to partners. MicroAge is expected to accelerate ScanSource’s revenue growth and margin expansion opportunities.
NTT Data and Palo Alto Networks Sign Global Alliance for AI
NTT Data and Palo Alto Networks have announced a multi-year strategic alliance designed to help organizations securely adopt AI, modernize cybersecurity, simplify complex technology environments and build cyber resilience for the AI era.
As Palo Alto Networks first strategic alliance of this kind with a global systems integrator, the agreement, which targets $1 billion in joint business by the end of three years (2029), combines Palo Alto Networks AI-powered cybersecurity platforms with NTT Data’s consulting, engineering and managed services.
Building on the companies’ Frontier AI collaboration, the alliance brings together Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 threat intelligence with NTT Data’s global cybersecurity expertise, AI governance and managed services. Initial solutions are expected to target the financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and public sector verticals.
Elements include an autonomous security operations center, AI governance, risk management, identity security, Zero Trust & SASE, cloud, and firewall modernization.
“AI is reshaping both business and cybersecurity, making deep ecosystem collaboration more important than ever,” said Nikesh Arora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Palo Alto Networks. “Expanding our alliance with NTT Data allows us to operationalize platformization at true global scale, helping enterprises eliminate legacy complexity and move fast without sacrificing safety.”
“AI is redefining every aspect of the enterprise, but it is also transforming the threat landscape at unprecedented speed. Organizations need a new approach to cyber resilience that combines AI-driven security, deep industry expertise and global scale,” said Abhijit Dubey, Chief Executive Officer of NTT Data. “Together with Palo Alto Networks, we’re bringing AI-powered cybersecurity innovation together with NTT Data’s consulting, engineering and managed services capabilities to help clients securely accelerate AI adoption and stay ahead of evolving threats.”
Channel Impact®
Leveraging joint engineering, co-innovation and coordinated global delivery, the alliance is expected to help clients and their partners assess cyber risk, deploy AI securely and continuously optimize security.
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