CVE-2026-81963: Windows Update Stack Zero-Day — Exploitation Confirmed, Full Windows Fleet at Risk
CVE-2026-81963 is an actively exploited elevation-of-privilege flaw in the Windows Update Stack affecting every supported Windows client and server, requiring no user interaction. A local attacker with low privileges can chain this link-following bug to reach SYSTEM level, making it an ideal post-compromise escalation tool following phishing or credential theft. Workaround: Apply the September 2026 Patch Tuesday cumulative update without delay; no standalone mitigation exists.
Read more →MSP 501 Report: AI Now Core Managed Service for 75% of MSPs, Revenue Growth Projections Surge
The freshly released 2026 MSP 501 report (published 23 September 2026) reveals that artificial intelligence has become a core managed service for nearly three-quarters of MSPs, with nearly one-third of MSP 501 respondents projecting AI revenue growth above 20% in 2026. Customer accounts across top MSPs grew 12.73% while the workforce grew only 6.9%, indicating measurable operating leverage from automation and tooling. The findings were presented at a gathering of more than 1,500 MSPs and B2B technology leaders in Orlando.
Read more →ConnectWise Sidekick Embedded in MSP Workflows for Ticket Triage, Summarisation and Response Drafting
ConnectWise Sidekick, built directly into the ConnectWise ecosystem, is now widely used by MSP technicians for ticket summarisation, response generation, and surfacing relevant historical fixes — addressing the significant portion of service desk time spent on documentation and context-gathering before work begins. The tool is positioned as an AI productivity layer rather than autonomous agent, requiring technicians to act on its suggestions. MSPs on the ConnectWise platform should review Sidekick activation and ensure runbook documentation quality to maximise output accuracy.
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