E-ChannelNews Podcasts

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

Send us a textJulian sat down with an ECN regular, Eric Herzog, CMO of Infinidat, a data storage company that provides high-performance, enterprise-class data storage solutionsThe discussion centered on the advancements in Infinidat’s G4 platform, particularly the integration of an S3 object store that simplifies storage management for channel partners and end users. Eric highlighted the platform’s capacity to support up to 33 petabytes of memory in a single rack, allowing for flexible configurations of block, file, and object storage. The enhancements not only streamline installation processes but also address pricing concerns, resulting in a 29% reduction in entry price for end users. Performance improvements include bandwidth capabilities that are up to two times faster and overall metrics showing at least a 32% enhancement, making Infinidat’s offerings more competitive in the high-end storage market.Eric also acknowledged the IT skills gap, emphasizing the need for solutions that simplify operations. Additionally, the G4 platform’s power efficiency improvements, which can reach up to 690%, were presented as a means to reduce costs or increase capacity for AI workloads.For more information, check out Infinidat’s press release: https://www.infinidat.com/en/news/press-releases/infinidat-enhances-infinibox-g4-family-make-high-end-enterprise-storageTo learn more about the business value of Infinidat’s enterprise storage solutions, check out Eric’s blog:  https://www.infinidat.com/en/blog/finding-common-ground-cfo-enterprise-storage

Send us a textPresenters: Evgeniy Kharam, Cybersecurity Architect | Evangelist | Consultant | Advisor | Podcaster | Visionary | Speaker |Nim Nadarajah, C.CISO, Cyber Security, Compliance & Transformation Expert | Executive Board Member | Keynote Speaker Julian Lee, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital TransformationAdam 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.In this discussion, we focused on the challenges posed by shadow IT and shadow AI within organizations. Evgeniy shared insights on how employees often resort to unauthorized applications due to strict IT policies, indicating a disconnect between user needs and IT support. Nim emphasized the importance of IT leaders understanding these needs rather than simply denying requests, while Adam highlighted the necessity of identifying user goals and exploring secure alternatives. The group recognized the critical need for improved communication between IT departments and employees to effectively address these challenges.The discussion also delved into the risks associated with AI usage among employees, with Julian noting that many companies lack clear AI policies, leading to unregulated use of various applications. Evgeniy suggested that organizations should focus on classifying and securing sensitive information while allowing knowledge workers to leverage AI for efficiency. Adam emphasized the importance of aligning AI strategies with business goals and reviewing the privacy policies of AI platforms. The group acknowledged the challenges of building secure AI environments and the associated costs, recognizing that not all companies may find this feasible.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 textSpeaker: Omry Farajun, President, Storage GuardianOmry and Julian delved into the significance of incident response planning in cybersecurity. Omry stressed the necessity of a structured incident response plan that includes alternative communication methods during breaches, while underscoring the importance of preparedness and collaboration among stakeholders.See more from Storage Guardian here.