E-ChannelNews Podcasts

Send us a textCraig Bell, President and CEO of Onit, talked about the evolution of the IT sector, particularly the transition of Onit from an office equipment supplier to an MSP with an emphasis on cybersecurity and AI. Craig shared insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the impact of the COVID pandemic on business strategies and drawing parallels between the current managed services provider landscape and the copier industry of the 1990s.He emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, noting that many organizations only allocate significant budgets for cybersecurity after experiencing breaches. He also touched on the necessity of aligning AI investments with clear client needs to ensure successful outcomes, while cautioning against developing products solely for novelty.

Send us a textAron Waisman, VP Sales of Synergy Associates, highlighting the company’s efforts to enhance its presence in Canada and its unique offerings in the technology distribution sector. He provided an overview of Synergy, emphasizing its 26 years of experience and partnerships with major companies like Dell and HPE. He detailed Synergy’s business model, which includes providing recertified and canceled products that offer significant savings to customers. He emphasized the company’s quick response times for quotes and orders, often within 24 to 48 hours, and the reliability of their products, all backed by OEM warranties. Synergy seeks to market products that still have substantial utility, aligning with their commitment to environmental responsibility.The conversation also touched on customer service practices and the impact of hyper-automation on human interactions, including the absence of voicemail during business hours to ensure direct communication, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with OEMs to enhance customer experience.Stay tuned ina next interview as we delve into more detailed topics, including lessons learned from the field and OEM partnerships.

Send us a textPresenters: Julian Lee, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital TransformationNim Nadarajah, C.CISO, Cyber Security, Compliance & Transformation Expert | Executive Board Member | Keynote Speaker Evgeniy Kharam, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation Cybersecurity Architect | Evangelist | Consultant | Advisor | Podcaster | Visionary | Speaker |Adam Bennett, Co-Founder & CEO at SureStack CEO at Crosshair CyberThe Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem aims to assist Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in becoming more cybersecurity-oriented amidst industry disruptions caused by AI and regulatory changes.The discussion centered on the evolving landscape of customer attitudes towards AI and cybersecurity, highlighting a shift from viewing AI as a magical solution to demanding tangible proof of its effectiveness and security. Many organizations are reactive rather than proactive in their cybersecurity measures, emphasizing the need for health checks and diagnostics. They must implement collaborative strategies to enhance proactive assessments, and they should explore various methods beyond traditional penetration testing to bolster their security posture. The conversation also addressed the persistent threat of bad actors within major companies and the necessity of adapting security measures to the rapidly changing threat landscape.There are different approaches to penetration testing, with a combination of continuous testing and human assessments to address emerging vulnerabilities. It is important to leverage existing tools effectively, while acknowledging the limitations of monitoring systems compared to penetration tests. The discussion also covered the challenges of evaluating third-party applications, particularly SaaS products, and the need for organizations to maintain transparency with vendors regarding security practices.Click here to watch previous episodes on Cybersecurity Defense EcosystemDont miss our Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem Summit on Nov. 26th in Toronto, aimed at fostering collaboration among managed service providers, chief information security officers, and other stakeholders. The event will feature a unique “Shark Tank” format for vendor presentations and expert-led discussions on various topics.To learn more on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem, visit: https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/

Send us a textGuest: Pat Larkin, President, Ekco, a Dublin-based “security-first managed cloud provider” that has grown rapidly through both organic expansion and a series of strategic acquisitions across Europe.Pat outlined Ekco’s evolution from a backup service provider to a security-first cloud provider, driven by numerous mergers and acquisitions since 2017. The conversation also touched on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, particularly the dual role of AI as both a facilitator and a challenge, with Pat noting that fundamental cybersecurity issues persist despite technological advancements.Pat also talked about the increasing risks associated with AI in cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for guardrails to mitigate these risks. He expressed concerns about the underskilling and lack of diversity in the cybersecurity workforce, advocating for stronger partnerships between industry and educational institutions to prepare future professionals.

Send us a textManuj Aggarwal, Founder of TetraNoodle Technologies, talked about the integration of AI within Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and the opportunities it presents for enhancing customer engagement and productivity. He emphasized the necessity for MSPs to deepen their understanding of AI to better serve their clients. He also highlighted that while MSPs are currently in a co-pilot phase, there is a significant opportunity to develop personalized AI solutions that yield positive returns on investment, thus the importance of collaboration and expert partnerships to navigate the complexities of AI implementation.He outlined a systematic approach to diagnosing business issues, likening it to a medical examination where identifying root causes is crucial. He noted that a significant portion of revenue often comes from a small percentage of activities, urging businesses to analyze their clients’ time and resource investments. By addressing repetitive tasks and customer complaints, even minor adjustments can lead to substantial returns.See other interviews with TetraNoodle here