IT Nation Connect Europe 2025 Keynote Recap

IT Nation Connect™ Europe made a triumphant return this year with a sold-out conference! The vibrant IT Nation community gathered for an unforgettable three-day event filled with three captivating keynotes, more than 40 insightful sessions, and a brand-new venue to accommodate the record-breaking attendance of over 600 attendees representing 20 countries. And we extend a special welcome to 52% of the audience as first-time attendees!

Due to its overwhelming success, IT Nation Connect Europe will now be an annual tradition!

The week kicked off with an engaging welcome keynote where I was joined by ConnectWise CEO Manny Rivelo, CISO Patrick Beggs, and EVP & GM for Service Leadership and IT Nation, Peter Kujawa. Together, we delved into industry trends and challenges, setting the stage for an insightful event.

The excitement continued on Tuesday as Manny Rivelo and Jeff Bishop, ConnectWise EVP, Asio Platform, took the stage for the ConnectWise product keynote, offering highly anticipated product updates.

Wrapping up the event on Wednesday was a special guest keynote by Daniel Priestley, a renowned entrepreneur, best-selling author, and international speaker, who shared his expertise and inspired attendees with his unique perspective.

Check out these exciting highlights and announcements from IT Nation Connect Europe.

Don't be a sitting duck: Cybersecurity and AI took center stage

Patrick Beggs shared an overview of the current state of cybersecurity with an emphasis on the region. Ransomware attacks surged by 62% in 2024, with EMEA accounting for approximately 30% of all ransomware incidents globally. This alarming trend underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and proactive threat intelligence. The rapid digital transformation and increased reliance on remote work have expanded the attack surface, making organisations more vulnerable to cyberthreats.

Patrick shared a top 10 list of security considerations in the MSP value chain.

The rise of generative has introduced new dimensions to the cybersecurity landscape, both in terms of threats and defenses. One of the primary concerns is the increasing use of AI by threat actors. These adversaries leverage AI to automate and enhance their attacks, making them more sophisticated and harder to detect. The integration of AI into cybersecurity defenses is both a necessity and a challenge.

AI-driven solutions can significantly enhance an organisation's ability to detect and respond to threats in real time. These systems can analyze network traffic, user behavior, and system logs to identify anomalies that may indicate a cyberattack. By automating routine tasks such as log analysis and vulnerability scanning, AI frees up human analysts to focus on more complex and strategic activities.

Cybersecurity leaders must stay informed about the latest developments in AI technology and its applications in offensive and defensive contexts. Download the 2025 MSP Threat Report for actionable insights from the ConnectWise Cyber Research Unit.

Run, grow, and transform your MSP business with ConnectWise

Manny Rivelo spoke about two things that make ConnectWise unique: platform and community. With the first true MSP platform in the industry, ConnectWise helps MSPs run and grow their business by driving greater profitability and revenue streams. The unparalleled IT Nation community serves as a catalyst for success, offering invaluable support and resources that enable MSPs to truly transform their operations.

Run your business: Enhance efficiency and leverage automation

The key question is: "How do you make your business more profitable?" About 28% of MSPs in the region are currently losing money, according to data from Service Leadership, Inc®, a ConnectWise company.

We announced next-gen RMM and RPA solutions to empower MSP and IT professionals to drive efficiency gains, enhance end-user experiences, and reduce labour costs through intelligent automation and improved workflows.

Advanced automated patching in ConenctWise RMM™ and out-of-the-box workflow rules in ConenctWise RPA™ streamline operations, boost productivity, and bolster cybersecurity defenses. These enhancements offer tangible benefits such as automated patching, intelligent alerts, and pre-packaged workflows, providing MSPs and IT professionals with the tools to optimise their operations and deliver exceptional service.

Grow your business: Add revenue streams

Once you start running a profitable business, the next key question is: “How do you grow your business and make more money?”

We introduced ConnectWise SaaS Security™, a powerful solution designed to help MSPs efficiently manage and monetise Microsoft 365 security services. This new offering simplifies the security experience by providing a single console for monitoring, reporting, and remediating cybersecurity threats.

With the increasing demand for Microsoft 365 security services among SMBs, ConnectWise SaaS Security is built to streamline security event monitoring and management for MSPs, enabling them to deliver enhanced security services and maximise revenue. The solution offers two core functions: security manager, which helps identify and resolve security risks through automated remediation, and security navigator, which provides valuable insights and reports to effectively communicate cybersecurity needs to customers.

As part of our commitment to enhancing cybersecurity and data protection, we were pleased to announce that ConnectWise Security360™ and ConnectWise Backup360™ are now available for free! This strategic move aims to simplify operations for MSPs while delivering enterprise-grade security and backup features.

Transform your business with best practices and community

You need more than just software to be successful. That’s why the IT Nation community has been so crucial for our partners and colleagues: we help each other learn, we show each other what’s possible, and we hold each other accountable.

According to our guest keynote speaker, Daniel Priestley, “…environment dictates performance. If we get around the right people, we normalise better results. You want to have a peer group that makes you feel uplifted and energised, a little bit of competitive tension.”

As tangible proof of this commitment to elevating the importance of community and best practices, Service Leadership, IT Nation, and Partner Advisory Councils (PACs) will now form a new business unit led by Peter Kujawa.

We also proudly recognized two esteemed members of our community during the event:

Tim Stock from Fusion Technology Solutions was awarded 2024 IT Nation Evolve Partner of the Year for Europe. This award is given to an IT Nation Evolve member who demonstrates exceptional business growth, leadership and engagement in the community, and a go-giver attitude.

Raja Pagadala received a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first in IT Nation history! This award is given to someone who leaves an enduring legacy of impactful contributions to the community throughout their entire career.

Conclusion

The triumphant return of IT Nation Connect Europe in 2025 exceeded all expectations, setting the stage for an annual tradition of innovation and collaboration within the vibrant IT Nation community in the region. We will continue to focus on what matters to MSPs the most, including industry trends, challenges, and groundbreaking product updates, including the ever-evolving cybersecurity and AI landscapes. As we look towards the future, the commitment to best practices, community engagement, and continuous improvement remains at the forefront of the ConnectWise mission to empower MSPs worldwide.