JumpCloud’s report on a survey of 1,213 SME IT decision-makers found that optimism about AI coexisted with concern about security: 79% viewed AI as a net positive for their organization, while 62% agreed AI was outpacing their organization’s ability to protect against threats. The figures describe respondents surveyed in November 2023, not a measurement of SME views in 2026.
What did the survey find about AI?
JumpCloud reported that 79% of respondents viewed AI as a net positive for their organization, compared with 6% who viewed it as a net negative. Separately, 76% said their organization should be investing in AI. These responses suggest broad interest in AI adoption among this sample, but they do not show how much AI respondents’ organizations actually used or whether it delivered benefits.
That optimism came with unease: 62% agreed that AI was outpacing their organization’s ability to protect against threats, and 45% worried about AI’s impact on their own job. The survey announcement does not establish that AI caused security incidents or job changes; it records respondents’ reported views.
Why was security a central concern?
Security was the biggest IT challenge for 56% of respondents. In addition, 72% agreed that cuts to their security budget would increase organizational risk. The results indicate that respondents saw security as a significant operational and financial pressure, rather than an issue displaced by attention to AI.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Among the threats respondents identified, network attacks led at 40%, followed by software vulnerability exploits at 34% and ransomware at 29%. These are reported concerns, not independently verified incident rates.
Reported authentication practices
JumpCloud said 83% of respondents reported password-based authentication for some resources, and 83% said they required multifactor authentication (MFA). The figures can coexist: an organization may use passwords for some access while requiring an additional factor in particular situations. The announcement does not specify which systems or users were covered, or the exact question wording behind each measure.
Rank #2
- hEX also known as RB750Gr3 is a five port Gigabit Ethernet router for locations where wireless connectivity is not required
- The device has a full size USB port. This new updated revision of the hEX brings several improvements in performance
- It is affordable, small and easy to use, but at the same time comes with a very powerful dual core 880MHz CPU and 256MB RAM
- IPsec hardware encryption (~470 Mbps) and The Dude server package is supported, microSD slot on it provides improved r/w speed for file storage and Dude
- Dimensions: 113x89x28mm; Storage size: 16 MB; Passive PoE (PoE in); PCB temperature monitor, Voltage monitor and Mode button
What did respondents say about IT tools and outside support?
Three-quarters of respondents (75%) preferred one tool over multiple point solutions. That is a stated preference, not evidence that consolidating tools would improve security, lower costs, or boost productivity. The report also does not compare vendors or assess the outcomes of particular platforms.
Managed service providers (MSPs) were part of many respondents’ IT operations: 76% said their organization used an MSP for some functions, and 42% said an MSP completely managed their IT environment. The announcement does not define the service arrangements or show whether MSP use changed security outcomes. It therefore supports treating managed services as a common reported operating model in this sample, not as a recommendation for a particular provider.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- BUSINESS READY - pfSense+ software updates included for product lifetime. Netgate TAC Lite technical support included. One year hardware warranty included.
- COMPLETE - Pre-loaded with pfSense+ software to get up and running fast. Simply unbox it and start customizing for your secure edge networking needs. Free help with setup from our expert Technical Assistance Center (TAC) available 24/7/365.
- POWERFUL - A dual core ARM Cortex-A53 1.2 GHz delivers near gigabit routing of common home iPerf3 traffic and in excess of 650 Mbps of firewall throughput.
- COMPACT - Low power draw, a compact form factor, and silent operation allow it to run unnoticed when placed on a desktop, wall, or rack.
- FLEXIBLE - Three (3) 1 GbE switched (WAN/LAN/OPT) ports allow you to configure three separate 1 GbE switched ports for upto a gigabit of bi-directional traffic.
Who took part, and when was the survey conducted?
JumpCloud commissioned the biannual survey, and Propeller Insights conducted it online from November 14 to 27, 2023. It included 1,213 IT decision-makers—managers, directors, vice presidents, and executives—at organizations with 2,500 or fewer employees in the United States, United Kingdom, and India. JumpCloud published the announcement in February 2024.
The results are best read as a snapshot of those respondents, rather than as precise estimates for every SME in the three countries or elsewhere. The announcement does not provide the sampling frame, response rate, weighting details, complete question wording, or uncertainty estimates such as confidence intervals. JumpCloud is also the report’s sponsor and a provider of identity and device management software, a commercial interest worth keeping in mind when interpreting the publication.
Rank #4
- Compact and Efficient Design: The FortiGate 40F is designed for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices, featuring a compact, fanless desktop form factor that ensures quiet operation and minimizes space usage.
- Robust Connectivity Options: Equipped with 5 GE RJ45 ports, including 1 WAN port and 4 internal ports, this model provides essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in a small-scale environment.
- High-Performance Security: Offers up to 1 Gbps IPS throughput and 600 Mbps threat protection throughput, using Fortinet’s purpose-built security processor technology to deliver industry-leading performance and protection for SSL encrypted traffic.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Integrated with Fortinet’s AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, the FortiGate 40F offers comprehensive cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats to maintain robust security across your network.
- Simplified Management and Deployment: Features a user-friendly management console that provides comprehensive network automation and visibility, coupled with Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet’s Security Fabric for easy deployment.
What the findings do—and do not—show
- They show reported attitudes and practices: respondents expressed optimism about AI alongside security concerns, described authentication measures, and reported tool preferences and MSP use.
- They do not establish causation: the survey cannot show that AI adoption led to security problems, that a single tool would resolve them, or that MSP use made organizations safer.
- They are not current 2026 measurements: the fieldwork took place in November 2023, and the announcement was published in February 2024.
JumpCloud CEO Rajat Bhargava said, “While AI is the buzzword that grabs headlines, it’s security that remains a paramount concern for IT teams given the increasing sophistication of external threats and rising regulatory pressures,” and noted that 56% were more concerned about their organization’s security posture than six months earlier. That is an executive statement accompanying the announcement, not an independent survey conclusion or a verbatim comment from a respondent.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Integration with Unifi Controller. Powerful firewall performance
- Convenient VLAN support. QoS for enterprise VoIP
- VPN server for secure communications. 10/100/1000Base-T
- 3 Ports - Management Port - SlotsGigabit Ethernet - Wall Mountable, Desktop
- Refer instruction manual for troubleshooting steps.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
