Consumers are pushing back against price hikes, leading companies like PepsiCo and Delta Airlines to consider value adjustments due to cooling inflation. Small businesses, particularly those with one to four employees, are facing revenue declines and profitability challenges, with the impending retirement of baby boomer owners expected to reshape the market in the coming years. Secondly, Sobel delves into the skepticism surrounding generative AI, as highlighted in a research paper by Goldman Sac...
Jul 15, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1366
One of the big topics discussed on The Business of Tech is data management and its relationship to data security, particularly in the context of AI technology. The guest, Yasir Ali, founder and CEO of Polymer, shares his journey from Wall Street to founding a platform focused on data loss prevention for SaaS and AI applications. He highlights the complexity and importance of data migrations, emphasizing the need for efficient tools like Movebot to streamline the process. Ali delves into the evol...
Jul 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 1352
The Kaseya Future of IT survey revealed a strong emphasis on AI and cybersecurity investments among IT service providers, with China leading in generative AI adoption. The report also emphasized the importance of automation and holistic solutions in IT management, indicating a shift towards integrated approaches. Compliance Scorecard launched a strategic alliance program aimed at enhancing cybersecurity offerings for managed services providers, providing integrated tools and services to meet com...
Jul 12, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1363
Microsoft and Apple will not have advisory roles on OpenAI's board of directors, despite their investments, as regulatory scrutiny on big tech companies increases. OpenAI faced a security breach in its internal messaging systems, raising concerns about the potential theft of AI technology by foreign adversaries. The company also addressed a security issue in its ChatGPT Mac OS app, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in AI development. A federal judge has delayed the implementation of t...
Jul 11, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1362
A market review delves into the performance of U.S. small caps in comparison to other major stock markets, highlighting the underperformance of small caps and the global recovery post-2020 crash. The discussion also touches on the recent job market data, showcasing signs of life with an unexpected increase in job postings and hiring in May, indicating a gradual and uneven recovery. The episode further explores the shifts in the tech industry, focusing on the addition of net new jobs in June but ...
Jul 10, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1361
this episode, Peter Kujawa joins Dave Sobel to discuss the recently released Service Leadership Profitability Report. The conversation delves into various aspects of profitability, comparing different business models, and highlighting trends within the industry. The report provides valuable insights for MSPs and IT service providers, especially as they gear up for year-end planning. One key finding discussed in the episode is the correlation between customer satisfaction and financial performanc...
Jul 08, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1353
In this podcast episode, host Dave Sobel interviews Paula Paul, the founder and distinguished engineer at Grayshore, about the importance of open source in businesses. Paula emphasizes that open source is already deeply integrated into most commercial applications, with a vast majority of software relying on open-source libraries. She highlights the need for businesses to effectively manage and secure their open-source dependencies, especially in light of recent instances where open-source has b...
Jul 06, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1347
A special episode of Dark Rhino's Security Confidential featured Dave Sobel, a well-known figure in the virtualization world and host of the Business of Tech podcast. In the freewheeling conversation, Dave shared insights on the status of security, the balance between interesting and boring aspects of the industry, and his thoughts on the willingness to pay for security. His daily podcast focuses on providing IT services companies with insights and analysis to help them navigate the ever-changin...
Jul 05, 2024•49 min•Ep. 1348
Nearly half of Americans still use third-party antivirus software despite built-in security features in mainstream operating systems. The reasons for this choice include fear of malware, privacy concerns, and online shopping security. Additionally, there is a growing fear of losing cryptocurrency, especially among older age groups. The episode also highlights the issue of freelancers on Fiverr offering access to personal data tools, raising concerns about privacy and content moderation. The epis...
Jul 03, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1360
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has indicated there will be no ban on ransomware payments. Director Jen Easterly emphasized the importance of reporting cyber incidents and promoting secure design practices to combat cyber threats effectively. The episode also delves into a breach experienced by TeamViewer, attributed to Russian state-affiliated threat actors. Despite the breach being contained within TeamViewer's corporate systems, the incident underscores the on...
Jul 02, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1359
The episode highlights the growing price sensitivity among consumers, leading businesses to lower prices and focus on providing value to customers. IT leaders are facing an increase in high-priority digital incidents, impacting customer trust and revenue streams. Medium-sized enterprises are turning to IT resellers for strategic advice on embracing digital services and AI to stay competitive in the market. The episode also delves into the challenges posed by labor scarcity in the economy of the ...
Jul 01, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1358
Paul Ongioni, a seasoned tech professional, transitioned from software development to business ownership by launching the first Nerds to Go franchise in Chicago. With a focus on managed services and computer repair, Nerds to Go offers services to both residential and business clients. Paul's motivation stemmed from a desire to work for himself and leverage his 15 years of experience in health tech to provide specialized MSP services to healthcare organizations. He highlighted the importance of c...
Jun 30, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1346
Dave Sobel is joined by Rich Freeman from Channelholifc to discuss the latest trends in the tech industry. The episode delves into the fluctuating premiums of cyber insurance policies, with a decline in premiums attributed to various factors such as favorable underwriting results and increased caution in risk selection. The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of self-service platforms in the MSP industry, with a focus on Pax8's new marketplace and the concept of self-serve storefro...
Jun 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 1356
Introducing Forrester's list of the top 10 emerging technologies for 2024. These technologies include generative AI, IoT security, and quantum security, emphasizing the need to align security strategies with business challenges for collaboration and recognition of the value of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) at the highest levels. The episode also delves into the challenges faced by CISOs, with 92% experiencing tensions with their CEO and other executives. Despite 59% of CISOs consid...
Jun 28, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1357
Consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group and IBM are thriving due to the high demand for generative AI expertise. These firms are experiencing growth in sales and hiring as businesses seek guidance on implementing generative AI technologies. The episode also discussed how AI is impacting freelancers, with some benefiting in fields like data science while others face job security risks in tasks that can be automated. The potential risks of hollowing out the workforce with generative AI autom...
Jun 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1355
In this podcast episode, Dave Sobel discusses three key topics related to AI adoption and technology trends in the business world. The episode begins by highlighting the increasing embrace of AI by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), with 94% of SMBs planning to incorporate AI into their operations in the current year. Additionally, NTT Data's Infrastructure Lifecycle Management Report reveals that 80% of global organizations view outdated technology as a hindrance to innovation, emphasizi...
Jun 26, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1354
In this episode of the podcast, Dave Sobel discusses key developments in the tech industry. He highlights a study revealing the risks associated with improper off-boarding in businesses, emphasizing the importance of automating SaaS security to mitigate potential data breaches and insider threats. The podcast also covers the increasing adoption of AI-led security services by managed service providers and the identification of risky connected devices across various industries. The episode delves ...
Jun 25, 2024•14 min•Ep. 1351
In the podcast episode, Dave Sobel provides an overview of the current economic landscape, highlighting the impact of tech stocks on the S&P 500 performance and the slowdown in U.S. consumer spending growth. The data suggests a potential cool-down in the economy, signaling challenges ahead for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The focus on consumer spending trends serves as a critical indicator for businesses to monitor, as it could reflect reduced consumer conf...
Jun 24, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1350
I trends are currently focused on productizing AI and leveraging technology to enhance solutions. Yusuf Khan, the head of data science at Constellation, highlighted in a podcast episode the significant increase in research and funding directed towards this trend. This surge is evident in the industry through a rise in AI-related content and discussions on platforms like LinkedIn. Companies are increasingly integrating AI technologies into their solutions to boost efficiency, productivity, and cu...
Jun 23, 2024•21 min•Ep. 1328
Host Dave Sobel discusses the U.S. ban on cybersecurity vendor Kaspersky due to national security risks. The ban prohibits new agreements with U.S. persons and restricts antivirus updates and operations in American IT systems. This decision prompts organizations to reevaluate their security software choices and emphasizes the importance of trust and due diligence in vendor selection. The episode also covers various tech updates, including Pure Storage's new capabilities, Splunk's expanded AI Ass...
Jun 21, 2024•12 min•Ep. 1345
In this episode of the podcast, Dave Sobel discusses the challenges companies face in successfully implementing AI projects. Only 10% of companies are scaling generative AI projects, with barriers such as demonstrating value and talent shortage hindering progress. Accenture's study emphasizes the importance of reinvention to unlock AI's potential, highlighting the need for organizations to transform, invest in talent, and embrace new ways of working. The episode also touches on the impact of AI ...
Jun 20, 2024•13 min•Ep. 1344
Dave Sobel discusses three key topics related to AI and its impact on various sectors. The episode begins by highlighting Deloitte's AI report, which emphasizes the importance of talent strategy in addressing potential job displacement caused by AI advancements. The report suggests that generative AI will redefine jobs rather than replace them, underlining the need for upskilling and reskilling among employees to prepare for the evolving landscape. The episode also delves into positive AI storie...
Jun 18, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1343
Host Dave Sobel discusses key trends and developments in the IT market. The episode highlights the cooling inflation in the U.S., with the Consumer Price Index remaining unchanged for the second consecutive month. Despite concerns such as rental prices and geopolitical factors, the IT market is projected to grow, driven by artificial intelligence and other catalysts. CEOs are recognizing the need for business model changes to stay competitive, with a focus on AI adoption and reinvention initiati...
Jun 17, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1342
In this podcast episode, Petra Molnar, a lawyer and anthropologist specializing in border technologies, emphasized the critical point that technology is far from neutral. She highlighted how technology mirrors and perpetuates power dynamics in society, underscoring the significant impacts it can have on individuals if not carefully considered during the innovation process. This concept is essential to grasp as it illuminates the broader implications of technological advancements on society. Repl...
Jun 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 1327
In this episode of the Business of Tech Lounge, host Dave Sobel is joined by Seth Robinson, Vice President of Industry Research at CompTIA, to discuss the value of artificial intelligence (AI) for providers. They delve into the importance of understanding AI as a layer within business solutions rather than a standalone product. The conversation highlights the need for providers to focus on guiding clients through the integration of AI into their existing workflows, emphasizing the importance of ...
Jun 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 1340
In this episode of the podcast, host Dave Sobel discusses significant developments in the tech industry. Microsoft's Recall AI feature for Copilot Plus PCs has been delayed to address privacy and security concerns raised by privacy advocates and security experts. The delay indicates Microsoft's commitment to ensuring high standards of quality and security before making the feature available to users. A comparison is drawn between Microsoft's data recording approach and Apple's context-aware data...
Jun 14, 2024•13 min•Ep. 1341
In the podcast episode, host Dave Sobel covers key highlights from the PAX 8 BEYOND conference. The conference showcased Pax8's achievements, including surpassing $2 billion in annual recurring revenue and unveiling updates to their platform. Pax8 is focusing on leveraging AI to empower partners in tapping into the global economy, with new features like Opportunity Explorer and Storefronts being introduced to enhance the partner experience. The episode delves into various tech updates, such as S...
Jun 13, 2024•11 min•Ep. 1339
In the podcast episode, Dave Sobel delves deep into Apple's WWDC event, highlighting key announcements and advancements in AI technology. Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, an AI system for their devices, showcasing practical and familiar features like Siri upgrades and integration with OpenAI's Chat GPT. The event also unveiled new AI features across various Apple platforms, emphasizing a user-friendly and personalized approach to AI technology. Notably, the introduction of a calculator app f...
Jun 12, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1338
The Ticketmaster breach is linked to Snowflake, putting 400 companies at risk. Snowflake warns customers about hackers targeting accounts without multi-factor authentication, potentially connected to the Ticketmaster breach. The threat actor responsible aims to blackmail Snowflake for $20 million, highlighting the importance of MFA in cybersecurity. Microsoft responds to concerns about their Recall feature, which captures user activity on AI-powered PCs. Cybersecurity expert discovers potential ...
Jun 11, 2024•9 min•Ep. 1337
The May jobs report reveals strong hiring and wage growth, particularly in sectors like healthcare and government. Despite concerns about a potential rate cut by the Fed, the report indicates a stable economic environment with growing demand for tech talent, especially in AI-related and data science roles. This suggests a need for IT service firms to invest in upskilling their workforce to meet market demands. Service Leadership's annual IT Solution Provider Industry Profitability Report highlig...
Jun 10, 2024•10 min•Ep. 1336
