The podcast episode delves into the growing use of AI in the workplace, as highlighted in a Microsoft report. The report underscores the increasing reliance of white-collar workers on AI tools to manage heavy workloads, even in the absence of formal training from their employers. It notes that 75% of desk job workers are currently utilizing AI, a figure that has nearly doubled in the past six months. However, less than 40% of these workers have received any structured training in AI skills. The ...
May 09, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1305
a significant security flaw known as Tunnel Vision was discussed, highlighting its potential to compromise the effectiveness of VPNs and pose a serious threat to data security. This exploit allows attackers to render any VPN useless, enabling them to intercept unencrypted data and potentially access valuable information. Identified as CVE-2024-3661, this vulnerability has been exploitable since 2002, although there have been no reported cases of active exploitation. Small businesses are expressi...
May 08, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1304
OpenAI is currently facing an investigation in the European Union over alleged privacy breaches related to ChatGPT generating incorrect information about individuals. The privacy rights non-profit group NOYB has filed a complaint against OpenAI for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The complaint accuses OpenAI of failing to correct inaccurate information generated by ChatGPT, not disclosing the source of data or what data ChatGPT stores about individuals, and refusing to r...
May 07, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1303
The U.S. job market is currently showing a mix of signals, indicating a cooling trend while still maintaining strength post-pandemic. In April, employers added 175,000 jobs, leading to moderate and steady hiring, with the unemployment rate slightly increasing to 3.9%. Despite this uptick, the job market remains stronger than pre-pandemic levels, with the ratio of job openings to unemployed workers still higher than before the pandemic. This suggests that the labor market is tight, with pay gains...
May 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1302
Evergreen's investment thesis revolves around the concept of long-term ownership and decentralized operating models, which they believe are ideal for the Managed Service Provider (MSP) space. Co-founder Ramsey Sahyoun emphasizes their goal of establishing a lasting home for businesses rather than engaging in quick turnovers. This strategy mirrors the Berkshire Hathaway model of holding businesses indefinitely, albeit on a smaller scale. The decentralized operating model enables Evergreen to run ...
May 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1293
Kaseya recently made headlines with the introduction of a new subscription-based offering called Kaseya 365. This comprehensive package is tailored for managed services providers and comes at a competitive price, starting at $3.99 per endpoint per month. The Kaseya 365 subscription encompasses a variety of essential features such as RMM, antivirus, EDR, MDR, patch management, ransomware rollback, and endpoint backup, all consolidated into a single license. This pricing strategy by Kaseya marks a...
May 04, 2024•28 min•Ep. 1298
The episode sheds light on the challenges major retailers like Walmart face in the healthcare industry. Despite striving to enhance healthcare accessibility and affordability, Walmart made the tough decision to close all 51 of its health centers and discontinue its virtual care program due to profitability concerns. This move raises doubts about the feasibility of healthcare ventures for retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon. Clear contractual agreements and robust risk management stra...
May 03, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1300
Microsoft's April 2024 security updates have caused significant disruptions, including VPN connection failures and NTLM authentication issues, across various Windows versions such as Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 and later. Users have reported experiencing connectivity issues and potential security vulnerabilities due to these problems. Marriott's admission of using outdated SHA-1 hashing instead of encryption during a 2018 data breach reveals a significant oversight in their f...
May 02, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1299
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently launched the GenAI program with the goal of establishing benchmarks for generative AI technologies. This initiative is crucial for enhancing transparency in the AI field and ensuring the safe and reliable use of these technologies. The program will focus on evaluating generative AI technologies, releasing benchmarks, developing deepfake detection systems, and promoting the creation of software to identify the source of AI-gen...
May 01, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1297
AI is expected to significantly disrupt the job market, potentially affecting up to 90% of workers in the next decade, as noted by Professor Eric Posner from the University of Chicago. The increasing prevalence of AI technology raises concerns about the potential displacement of millions of jobs and the necessity for a social safety net to protect workers from long-term unemployment. Posner emphasizes the emotional toll individuals may experience when they are unable to contribute to society due...
Apr 30, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1296
The U.S. experienced a slowdown in Q1 GDP growth, with a rate of 1.6%, signaling a deceleration in the economy at the start of 2024. Despite this, consumer spending displayed resilience, showing solid growth in personal consumption expenditures. In the last quarter, consumer spending increased at an annualized rate of 2.5%, indicating that American consumers are maintaining their spending habits despite high borrowing costs and persistent inflation. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security ...
Apr 29, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1295
In the podcast episode, Joe Vezzani, the CEO and co-founder of Lunar Crush, delves into the evolving role of influencers in the buyer's journey, particularly emphasizing their impact on B2B markets. Vezzani points out how influencers, ranging from subject matter experts to anonymous creators, are now collaborating in teams and engaging with businesses in more informal ways, such as through direct messages on platforms like X. This shift signifies a significant change in the creator economy, wher...
Apr 28, 2024•22 min•Ep. 1285
Organizations like Scale Computing are taking advantage of market disruptions caused by changes in VMware's subscription pricing model. In this episode, we discuss how Broadcom's alterations to VMware's subscription pricing model have prompted many customers to explore alternative platforms. This shift in customer sentiment has opened up an opportunity for companies like Scale Computing to emerge as a viable alternative for VMware customers. Scale Computing's CEO, Jeff Ready, highlighted that Br...
Apr 27, 2024•34 min•Ep. 1290
The FCC's decision to restore net neutrality by reclassifying broadband as an essential service marks a significant development in the regulation of the broadband sector. By treating broadband as an essential service and prohibiting Internet service providers from blocking, throttling, or engaging in aid prioritization of lawful content, the FCC aims to ensure a fast, open, and fair internet for all users. This move is crucial for maintaining an equitable digital landscape where all content prov...
Apr 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1292
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a significant step by voting to ban nearly all non-compete agreements, a move expected to have a substantial impact on the workforce and the economy. These agreements typically restrict workers from joining competing businesses or starting their own, with the aim of preventing workers from being trapped in abusive workplaces. Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset, which initially generated hype and sold out quickly, is now facing a significant decl...
Apr 25, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1291
The cybersecurity landscape is witnessing a significant shift, with a record low of 28% of companies paying ransomware demands in the first quarter of 2024. This decline in payment rates reflects a positive trend, signaling a growing reluctance among organizations to yield to ransomware demands. However, the data also reveals a troubling development in the ransomware arena. Over half of IT decision-makers encounter challenges in implementing email authentication tools like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. ...
Apr 24, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1289
Organizations are currently facing a critical challenge in preparing for AI integration, as discussed in the podcast episode. A study has revealed that a staggering 92% of Windows machines in large organizations lack the necessary capabilities to effectively handle modern AI applications. This deficiency in AI readiness presents a significant obstacle for organizations seeking to leverage AI technologies to enhance their operations and maintain competitiveness in the digital landscape. There is ...
Apr 23, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1288
The managed services market in the U.S. is a dominant force globally, as reported by IDC. Accounting for over 45% of the global contract value in the managed services sector, the U.S. outperforms regions like Western Europe. This underscores the strong presence and significant contribution of U.S.-based managed service providers. The data also indicates a steady increase in enterprise technology spending in the U.S., leading to a rise in managed services deals. Despite a decrease in the total nu...
Apr 22, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1287
In this bonus episode of The Business of Tech, Rodrigo Loureiro discusses the state of play in cybersecurity. He highlights that many organizations are still falling short in basic cybersecurity hygiene, which he views as a significant failure. Loureiro emphasizes the importance of human expertise alongside technology to effectively protect small businesses. If you want to learn more about cybersecurity and how AI is transforming responses, tune in to this insightful episode! Supported by: https...
Apr 21, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1279
This episode sheds light on a significant issue within organizations - the disparity between leadership and IT technicians. The transcript reveals a noticeable variance in priorities and perspectives between C-suite executives and IT technicians. While C-suite executives prioritize customer satisfaction as the top metric, technicians are more focused on promptly resolving technical issues. This disparity can lead to misalignment, friction, and potential challenges within the organization. Genera...
Apr 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1284
Microsoft's initiative to offer $1 security updates for schools to address Windows 10 e-waste concerns is a significant move in the tech industry. With approximately 40% of PCs currently in use unable to upgrade to Windows 11, the Extended Security Updates program allows educational institutions to extend support for three years at a minimal cost. This not only benefits schools by ensuring their systems remain secure but also addresses the environmental impact of e-waste generated when millions ...
Apr 19, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1286
Criminals are now targeting T-Mobile and Verizon employees with text messages offering bribes for performing SIM swaps. These messages claim to obtain contact information from employee directories, showcasing how attackers are leveraging social engineering tactics to gain unauthorized access, commit identity theft, and potentially lead to financial lawsuits. Despite T-Mobile denying a breach, the FBI has warned about the increasing prevalence of SIM swap attacks and introduced new rules to prote...
Apr 18, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1283
In this episode of "The Business of Tech," we discuss cybersecurity incidents and studies revealing concerning trends in the industry. We highlight Cisco's Duo security incident involving a threat actor accessing MFA SMS logs through a phishing attack on a supplier. Additionally, we cover studies showing the high salaries in cybersecurity, but also the gender and ethnic disparities present. Stay informed and protected in the world of tech. Three things to know today 00:00 Cisco's Duo Security In...
Apr 17, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1282
In this episode of the podcast, we delve into tech news covering Amazon's GenAI stack, Google's AI challenges in material science, and Broadcom's scrutiny in the EU for VMware pricing. Andy Jassy's emphasis on generative AI as Amazon's next big focus is also highlighted, outlining the three layers of their AI stack. OpenAI's release of the updated ChatGPT, GPT-4 Turbo, is discussed. Three things to know today 00:00 Amazon‘s Three-Layer GenAI Stack, Aiming to Cut Costs and Boost Customization 04:...
Apr 16, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1281
In this episode of the Business of Tech podcast, host Dave Sobel discusses the financial strain on small businesses, insights from the latest U.S. economic reports, and the soaring adoption of AI in small and mid-sized businesses. He highlights key industry updates such as Amazon retiring a checkout technology, Microsoft pushing upgrades, and Google enhancing workspace security. Market conditions are reviewed, including the downturn in the Russell 2000 index and the challenges faced by U.S. smal...
Apr 15, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1280
In this bonus episode of the Business of Tech, John Gillham, founder of Originality.ai, discusses the detection of AI use and its impact on content creation. He shares insights on identifying whether content is human-created or AI-generated, highlighting the importance for companies to understand the origins of their content. Gillum's inspiration for focusing on the intersection of AI and its physical impact on people stems from his experience running a content marketing company. All our ...
Apr 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1272
On this episode of the Business of Tech Lounge, Dave Sobel covers a range of topics including the impact of remote work on office space, unauthorized use of generative AI by employees, cloud migrations, shadow IT, and recent product launches. Goldman Sachs warns about the challenges faced by office owners due to maturing debts amidst the work-from-home boom. The episode also features insights on NIST 2 and previews an upcoming interview. Special thanks to SalesBuilder for sponsoring the show. Jo...
Apr 13, 2024•24 min•Ep. 1277
In this episode of "The Business of Tech," we dive into the world of cybersecurity. We discuss how a lone Microsoft engineer uncovered a potential global cyber attack through a Linux backdoor discovery, NIST's efforts to address vulnerability database backlog, and the crucial role of AI in safeguarding small to medium businesses from brand spoofing attacks. Three things to know today 00:00 Lone Microsoft Engineer Thwarts Potential Global Cyberattack Through Linux Backdoor Discovery 03:26 NIST Ta...
Apr 12, 2024•13 min•Ep. 1278
Today's episode covers the challenges of navigating the copyright minefield and the impact of generative AI on content creation. Legislation targeting AI copyright compliance and fines for lack of creator disclosures is discussed. Kaseya introduces a generative AI assistant to empower sales teams, reducing documentation time. Additionally, AI safety research is examined, revealing that only 2% of AI research is dedicated to the topic despite an increase in global AI safety research papers. Three...
Apr 11, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1276
In this episode of the Business of Tech podcast, host Dave Sobel covers the state of the tech workforce in 2024, with predictions of 3% growth and 300,000 new tech positions. He discusses cloud cost overruns and IT leaders preparing for spending to exceed $1 trillion by 2026. Additionally, he highlights Best Buy's Geek Squad facing mass layoffs due to financial rebalancing and an AI focus. Dave also touches on recent data indicating fluctuations in job numbers and concerns about inflation in the...
Apr 10, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1275
