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Beyond the Hype: How Corsica Technologies is Redefining Managed Services with AI and Strategic Partnership

• Garrett Wiesenberg
• March 5, 2026
• AI, Company News, Partnerships

In a market saturated with managed service providers, what does it take to achieve 105% year-over-year growth in managed services bookings? According to our CEO, Brian Harmison, it’s not about chasing trends—it’s about fundamentally redefining the role of a technology partner. 

In a recent interview on the “Business of Tech” podcast, Brian sat down with host Dave Sobel to discuss the strategic vision that’s driving Corsica’s success. The conversation went beyond the typical talking points, offering a clear roadmap for how businesses can leverage technology not just for maintenance, but for true strategic advantage. 

Here’s a look at the key insights from their discussion and what it means for the future of managed services. 

Key takeaways: 

• The future of MSPs lies in becoming strategic partners who solve core business problems, not just IT tickets.
• The “co-managed” services model offers a collaborative way to enhance, not replace, your existing IT department. 
• Operational excellence is the essential foundation for any successful AI and automation strategy. 
• True market differentiation is built on a foundation of deep trust and a commitment to enabling business outcomes. 

The Shift from MSP to Strategic Partner 

For many, the term “managed services” brings to mind basic IT support—help desks, network monitoring, and break-fix solutions. At Corsica Technologies, we see that as the starting point, not the destination. As Brian explained in the interview, our approach is to act as a holistic technology partner, with a heavy focus on data integration, automation, and AI. 

“We’re not just here to manage your technology,” Brian noted. “We’re here to help you leverage it to solve your core business challenges and drive growth.” 

This means going beyond the surface level to understand our clients’ operations, goals, and pain points. It’s a shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive, strategic enablement. 

Introducing the “Co-Managed” Model: A Collaborative Approach 

One of the most significant differentiators Brian discussed is our “co-managed” services model. Unlike traditional outsourcing that often aims to replace a company’s internal IT team, the co-managed model is built on partnership. 

We work alongside a client’s existing IT department, providing specialized skills in areas like cybersecurity, data integration, and AI-driven automation. This creates a collaborative relationship that enhances the capabilities of the internal team, filling critical skill gaps without creating a competitive dynamic. 

This approach allows businesses to retain their institutional knowledge while gaining access to a deep bench of specialized expertise—a powerful combination for innovation and resilience. 

Operational Excellence: The Bedrock of Innovation 

In an era of AI hype, it’s easy to get caught up in the buzz. However, as Brian emphasized, technology is a tool, not a magic wand. The prerequisite for successfully implementing automation and AI is operational excellence. 

“You can’t automate a mess,” Brian stated. “We focus on helping our clients define and refine their processes first. Only then can we effectively apply automation and AI to enhance efficiency and unlock new capabilities.” 

This commitment to a strong foundation is why our recent acquisition of AccountabilIT was so successful. Their deep expertise in Microsoft security and AI, combined with a shared operational model, has allowed us to accelerate our ability to deliver on this promise. 

Building Trust: The Real Differentiator 

Ultimately, Brian believes that our success and differentiation in the market come down to one thing: trust. By focusing on building deep, long-term relationships and acting as a true strategic enabler for our clients, we create a partnership that transcends the typical vendor-client dynamic. 

When your technology partner is invested in your business outcomes, growth becomes a natural byproduct of that shared success. The future of managed services isn’t about simply managing infrastructure; it’s about providing the strategic guidance, technical expertise, and operational support that empower businesses to thrive in a complex digital landscape. 

Ready to partner with a technology enabler that goes beyond traditional IT? Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your business goals. 

• About Garrett Wiesenberg

With over a decade of experience in IT, Garrett Wiesenberg brings deep technical expertise and a strong commitment to strategic problem-solving. For the past four years, he has focused on architecting and delivering advanced solutions for managed clients, consistently aligning technology with business outcomes. Garrett’s career has spanned a variety of roles—from service desk technician to senior network engineer—and now, as Vice President of Solution Consulting, he leads with a hands-on, business-focused approach. He holds several industry-recognized certifications, including CCNA Route & Switch, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless, MCSA: Server 2012 R2, MCSA: O365 Administration, NSE 1–3, and CMNA.

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Here at Corsica Technologies, we have the privilege of partnering with Affiliated Distributors (AD), a member-owned trade organization that brings together best-in-class distributors and suppliers to facilitate dynamic business partnerships. We attended AD’s North American Meeting for their PHCP division (Plumbing, HVAC and Pipes, Valves and Fittings). It was great to meet many of you there in person!  

I had the pleasure of introducing renowned cybersecurity expert Rachel Wilson. With her experience as Head of Data Security at Morgan Stanley and Senior Executive at the NSA, Rachel offered AD members an insider view into the state of cybersecurity today. She outlined some of the threats facing manufacturers and distributors—as well as solutions that are more achievable than you might think.  

Here are my top five takeaways from her cybersecurity presentation.  

Key takeaways:

• Cyber resilience is critical, especially with the rise of nation-state threats.
• AI-enabled attacks are on the rise, significantly increasing risk among organizations without dedicated cybersecurity resources.
• A trusted cybersecurity partner can provide the vigilance, expertise, and required toolsets to stop these attacks.

1. The Importance of Cyber Resilience 

The cyber threat landscape is getting more complex all the time, and businesses should assume they’re already compromised. Rachel emphasized the critical need for businesses to build resilience so they can bounce back when—not if—a cyberattack occurs.  

How can organizations do this? Keeping systems fully patched and up to date is a great starting point. But Rachel also stressed the need for a robust backup strategy, recommending the three-two-one backup rule: three copies of your data, in two geographically dispersed locations, one of which is off-network. 

2. Nation-State Threats: North Korea and Iran 

If you think private US organizations are safe from nation-state threats—think again.  

Rachel provided an eye-opening overview of the cyber threats posed by nation-states like North Korea and Iran. She explained how North Korea has made hacking banks a major plank of their national strategy to fund their government, while Iran uses cyberattacks as an asymmetric threat to disrupt Western businesses. Rachel’s insights into the motivations and tactics of these nation-states were both alarming and enlightening. 

For US businesses, the call is clear: Engage an expert cybersecurity partner who stays on top of the latest threats. 

Watch Rachel Wilson’s cybersecurity presentation at the 2024 AD PHCP conference.

3. The Rise of AI-Enabled Cyberattacks 

One of the most captivating parts of Rachel’s presentation was her discussion on the rise of AI-enabled cyberattacks. She provided a detailed example of how hackers can use AI to automate and scale their attacks, making them more sophisticated and harder to defend against. Rachel’s example of an AI-enabled attack involving a botnet of smart refrigerators was particularly striking. 

While the rise of AI attacks is alarming, it’s important to remember that cybersecurity solutions are evolving even faster. AI is now playing a critical role in sophisticated cybersecurity technologies. When you work with a top-tier MSSP (managed cybersecurity services provider), you get protection from the latest solutions on the market.  

4. The Triple Extortion Ransomware Threat 

Rachel highlighted the growing threat of ransomware attacks, describing them as triple extortion scams. She explained how hackers not only demand a ransom to restore systems but also threaten to sell stolen data on the dark web—then offer “protection” against future attacks for a continuous fee.  

While that’s terrifying, Rachel’s advice was clear: Never pay the ransom, as it only encourages more attacks.  

Believe it or not, the best defense against ransomware attacks is cybersecurity training for your employees. You want comprehensive, engaging training, which is what we provide here at Corsica Technologies.  

5. Practical Cybersecurity Expert Tips 

Rachel’s presentation was filled with practical advice for improving cybersecurity. She recommended using password managers to create and store complex passwords securely, avoiding the use of personal checks and paper statements, and ensuring that employees are well-trained in cybersecurity awareness. Rachel’s emphasis on simple, actionable steps resonated with AD’s manufacturing and distributor audience, encouraging everyone to take proactive measures to protect their businesses and personal information. 

The Main Takeaway 

Rachel Wilson’s presentation was a powerful reminder of the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats we face and the importance of staying vigilant. Her experiences and insights provided valuable lessons for all AD members. We’re thankful to Rachel for providing her deep insight and leadership perspective on the current cyber threat landscape.  

Learn more about our cybersecurity and IT services for AD members.

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