Leading MTSP Explains Why AI Behavior-Based Cybersecurity Outperforms Traditional Systems

PARIS/SHERMAN, TX – May 17, 2026 – Function4, a leading Managed Technology Services Provider (MTSP), announced today, it is now deploying new AI cybersecurity technology to help organizations prevent cyberattacks where threats are harder to spot, especially within platforms like Microsoft 365. For years, organizations have relied on location-based alerts to catch hackers’ suspicious logins. If someone logged in from another country, it raised an obvious red flag. Hackers have evolved and so must the security protocols used by small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and non-profit organizations.

Today’s cyber attackers can easily rent local internet addresses, making it look like they’re logging in from nearby – even if they are halfway across the world. Hackers can now appear as if they are working right down the street, which creates a silent threat vector. This means that many cyberattacks no longer look suspicious to most cybersecurity technology. Of course, once inside a Microsoft 365 account, attackers can continue to move quietly – reading emails, setting up forwarding rules, or impersonating employees – without triggering traditional alerts. This leaves organizations facing two major issues: 1) Too many false alarms and 2) Real threats go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Since attackers are no longer operating from obvious foreign locations and are instead leveraging residential proxy networks, they appear as if they are logging in from the same city as their target. “As attackers evolve, the signals we used to trust, like location, are becoming unreliable,” said, David Volberding, Branch Manager of Function4. “A login from across the world used to be a red flag. Now it can look completely normal. At Function4, we are constantly evaluating sophisticated, cutting-edge AI technology and the latest in security protocols to protect our customers.”

Modern attacks are more easily thwarted by tracking behavior. It’s not about where they originate from, but how they behave. By focusing on behavioral anomalies AI cybersecurity defense system asks, “Does this behavior match how this user normally operates?” instead of simply asking, “Did this login originate in the same place it always does?”

By analyzing patterns such as login timing, access behavior, and system changes, Function4’s new AI cybersecurity technology can identify subtle deviations that signal a compromised Microsoft 365 account – even when the attacker appears local and legitimate. This approach has helped detect and stop attacks in minutes–often before any damage is done. It can also automatically identify how the attack started, show exactly what the attacker did and remove anything malicious they left behind.

“As attackers find new ways to blend in, organizations need the right AI security tools that go beyond basic rules and look at the full picture. This new approach to cybersecurity technology marks a shift toward smarter, more proactive protection, helping organizations stay one step ahead in an increasingly complex threat landscape,” added Mr. Volberding.

ABOUT FUNCTION4

Function4 provides a variety of Hardware, Software, and IT Services that focus on improving Processes, Information Flow, and Security. Our goal is to help companies lower operating expenses and, at the same time, increase operational efficiencies relating to how a company uses technology to improve or protect access to their information.  Our mission is to provide innovative technologies and advanced strategies to improve our client’s business processes.  Our vision is to become the premier provider of office technologies and services in our markets by recognizing the trust our customers, team members, partners, and community place in our company and hold that trust above all other things.  We are headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, with locations in SE Texas, NE Texas as well as Louisiana and Oklahoma.  Contact us at 855.831.6867 or visit www.function-4.com.

SOURCE Function4