Host Dave Sobel engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Howard Cohen, a seasoned expert in the IT industry. They explore the evolving landscape of IT service providers, focusing on the emergence of the "toolsmith" model. This model emphasizes the importance of software developers and hardware manufacturers providing tools that enable partners to create and deliver profitable services, rather than merely reselling products. Howard highlights the shift from product sales to service-oriented...
Sep 28, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with a troubling report revealing that numerous Fortune 100 companies have unknowingly hired North Korean IT workers using fake identities. These workers, often based in China or Russia, have gained access to sensitive systems, raising significant concerns about potential cyber attacks. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for companies to adopt stricter hiring practices, including thorough background checks and identity verification, as U.S. law enforcement takes action against those...
Sep 27, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Dave Sobel discusses the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in small businesses, highlighting a recent survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The survey reveals that 98% of small businesses are utilizing AI tools, with a notable increase in the adoption of generative AI. While many small business owners view AI as a crucial driver for growth, there are significant workforce concerns, with one in three workers advocating for a ban on AI in the workplace due to fears about job secu...
Sep 26, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Dave Sobel discusses significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) announced by major tech players including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Amazon has introduced Project Amelia, a generative AI-powered personal assistant aimed at helping sellers optimize their businesses with tailored insights and support. Meanwhile, Google Cloud has integrated its Gemini AI into Workspace, enhancing customer engagement and security through new tools designed to improve user experience wh...
Sep 25, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Microsoft has launched the SecureFuture initiative, which aims to address past security failures by implementing tighter controls and accountability measures. With a dedicated team of 34,000 engineers, the company has made substantial changes, including updating security systems and enhancing transparency. Despite these efforts, Microsoft acknowledges the ongoing challenge of rebuilding trust in its security practices, particularly in light of its reputation with the U.S. government. The episode...
Sep 24, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Federal Reserve has implemented a half-point interest rate cut, with projections for further adjustments in the coming year. Despite a slight increase in the unemployment rate to 4.2%, layoffs have decreased as companies are more cautious, learning from past experiences during the pandemic. This cautious approach is expected to continue due to anticipated labor shortages, creating a favorable environment for IT providers to support clients in their digital transformation efforts. Host Dave S...
Sep 23, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast host Dave Sobel welcomes Ori Rafael, CEO and co-founder of Upsolver, to discuss the emerging concept of lake house architecture in data management. The conversation begins with an exploration of how lake houses compare to traditional data warehouses and data lakes. Ori explains that a lake house is essentially a modern data warehouse architecture that allows customers to manage their own data layers, providing flexibility and control over their data storage and processing. Ori delves into the ev...
Sep 22, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Sobel welcomes back Jay McBain, the chief analyst for channels, partnerships, and ecosystems at Canalys. The discussion centers around the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for businesses, particularly in the context of data management and device sales. With a staggering 85% of the world's business data still residing on-premises, the conversation highlights the necessity for companies to adapt their strategies for training and tuning large language mod...
Sep 20, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Slack is enhancing user workflows by integrating AI agents from various partners, including Salesforce and Asana, to streamline tasks and improve productivity. However, user adoption remains a challenge as many are still hesitant about AI in the workplace. T-Mobile's collaboration with OpenAI aims to create a new AI-powered customer service platform, IntentCX, which will analyze call transcripts to enhance customer interactions. Meanwhile, Adobe is set to launch a new video model for its Firefly...
Sep 19, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast The episode opens with a report on a series of explosions involving handheld pagers in Lebanon and Syria, which injured multiple individuals, including members of Hezbollah. This incident is believed to be a sophisticated attack attributed to Israel, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region. Sobel also covers a new covert attack method, PIX-L, which can exploit air-gapped networks using sound waves, emphasizing the need for organizations to bolster their defenses against such unconvention...
Sep 18, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast We start with Amazon's announcement that it will require corporate employees to return to the office five days a week by January 2025. This decision, articulated by CEO Andy Jassy, aims to enhance in-person collaboration and strengthen company culture. However, it comes alongside plans to reduce middle management by increasing the ratio of individual contributors to managers, raising concerns about potential employee turnover and the impact on productivity and satisfaction. Host Dave Sobel also ...
Sep 17, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Sobel discusses the evolving landscape of managed service providers (MSPs) and the increasing importance of cybersecurity and compliance. With a significant number of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) anticipating budget increases for the upcoming year, the focus is shifting towards treating cybersecurity as a business decision. Forrester's report emphasizes the need for investments in API and software supply chain security, as well as human risk management, highlighting the criti...
Sep 16, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of The Business of Tech podcast, Brett Leatherman, a senior executive with the FBI, provides insights into the current cybersecurity landscape from a law enforcement perspective. Leatherman highlights the ongoing threat of ransomware targeting businesses, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and energy. He emphasizes the importance of imposing costs on cybercriminals while also offering substantial assistance to victims of cybercrime. The FBI's success in pushin...
Sep 15, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Dave Sobel dives into the evolving landscape of cloud pricing and AI models, highlighting the significant shifts that are reshaping customer expectations. With rising cloud costs becoming a pressing concern for many organizations, Sobel discusses a report indicating that over a third of companies feel their transition to the cloud has not delivered the promised cost-effectiveness, while more than half are experiencing increasing bills. This backdrop sets the stage for a conversation about i...
Sep 14, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent Zoom survey reveals that 83% of employees report higher productivity in hybrid environments, with 64% of leaders adopting such models. Despite this trend, many Fortune 100 companies continue to enforce return-to-office (RTO) mandates, which may negatively impact employee morale and retention. HR expert Daniela Herrera highlights the inequities these mandates create, particularly for caregivers and historically excluded groups, suggesting that organizations should prioritize flexibility ...
Sep 13, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast The episode starts with California's AI safety bill, SB 1047. The bill, which mandates safety testing and third-party audits for advanced AI systems costing over $100 million, has garnered opposition from industry leaders and academics who fear it may stifle innovation, particularly for smaller firms and academic research. As Governor Gavin Newsom deliberates on the bill, the episode highlights the tension between ensuring safety in AI technology and fostering an environment conducive to innovat...
Sep 12, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent survey reveals that while 80% of IT leaders express confidence in their recovery strategies post-ransomware attacks, nearly 70% have paid ransoms despite having policies against it. The episode emphasizes the importance of proactive defense strategies, as Tenable's research shows that only 3% of vulnerabilities pose significant risks, urging organizations to prioritize their cybersecurity efforts effectively. Host Dave Sobel also addresses the alarming rise in ransomware incidents, whic...
Sep 11, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gartner emphasizes the importance of tailored AI strategies, suggesting that focused use cases yield better returns on investment compared to broad, generic tools. The episode highlights six transformative technologies identified by Gartner that are set to enhance digital governance over the next five years, including Digital Employee Experience, Generative AI, and Predictive Analytics. Host Dave Sobel stresses the need for organizations to adopt AI at their own pace, considering their specific ...
Sep 10, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast The August jobs report revealed that the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs, falling short of expectations, while the unemployment rate decreased to 4.2%. Small businesses are facing challenges, with 40% of owners struggling to fill positions and a significant number reporting a lack of qualified applicants. Despite these hurdles, there is a slight increase in job openings for skilled workers, especially in construction, and a net 33% of business owners raised pay in August. Host Dave Sobel highlig...
Sep 09, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast host Dave Sobel interviews RJ Kedziora, the co-founder of Estenda Solutions, a company specializing in software, data analytics, and AI for the healthcare industry. RJ shares insights into the innovative work his firm does, focusing on digital health solutions that aim to improve the health and wellness of individuals. He highlights two key projects, including a diabetic retinopathy surveillance program in partnership with the Joslin Diabetes Center and the Indian Health Services, as well as the...
Sep 07, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Firstly, the episode highlights the high demand for virtual CISO services among small to medium-sized businesses, emphasizing the gap between demand and supply. The rising need for virtual CISO services is attributed to regulatory compliance, increasing cyber attacks, and a shortage of cybersecurity skills. Service providers offering virtual CISO services report improved margins and revenue, indicating a significant growth opportunity in the market. Secondly, the episode covers the adoption of g...
Sep 05, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Fortune 500 companies are showing caution in adopting generative AI, with a focus on risks rather than benefits. A recent survey reveals that AI tools are impacting workers' productivity and workload, highlighting the challenges of balancing human talent with AI implementation. CompTIA identifies critical areas for skills building as AI adoption grows, emphasizing strategic planning to mitigate costs and enhance cybersecurity. Intel faces setbacks with its 18A chipmaking process, raising doubts ...
Sep 04, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index shows a slight increase despite concerns about the labor market, while Dell exceeds expectations with an 80% surge in AI-driven server sales. On the other hand, an IBM study reveals a decline in confidence in IT departments, and Intel considers splitting its chip design and foundry businesses due to financial struggles. The episode delves into the recent economic sentiment shift highlighted at the Jackson Hole symposium, where central bankers expressed optimism...
Sep 03, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Sobel is joined by Hugo Malan, an expert in building workforces with a mixed labor strategy. They discuss the concept of a mixed labor strategy, which involves using different forms of labor to create an optimal mix for specific circumstances. This strategy allows companies to adjust their cost structure and increase flexibility by incorporating permanent employees, temporary workers, and services from external firms. The discussion delves into the challenges faced by small businesses in ba...
Sep 01, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Sobel delves into the profound question of how advancements in AI technology, such as deep fakes and synthetic voices, are impacting our understanding of truth. To explore this topic, he is joined by Jessica Davis, Editorial Director at Cyber Risk Alliance, who provides valuable insights as a journalist who constantly considers sourcing and truth in her work. They discuss the challenges of verifying information in a world where reality is becoming less knowable due to AI-generated content. ...
Aug 30, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chinese state-backed hackers have intensified their attacks on US internet service providers, targeting government and military communications. The sophisticated techniques used, such as exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, have raised concerns about intelligence gathering. Despite the Chinese embassy denying state involvement, US cybersecurity officials are closely monitoring the situation, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by groups like Volt Typhoon. Law enforcement agencies are increasin...
Aug 29, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast The episode begins with a focus on AI-based patch management solutions, highlighting leading vendors like Automox, Flexera, and Kaseya. The discussion delves into how AI and ML-driven patch management can provide real-time risk assessments, helping prioritize critical patches and enhance cybersecurity measures. The episode then shifts to the evolving landscape of cloud infrastructure driven by generative AI advancements. The transcript reveals insights from an IBM study, indicating concerns amon...
Aug 28, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Firstly, a federal judge in Texas halted the FTC's nationwide ban on non-compete agreements, sparking legal uncertainty and potential appeals in other states. The episode emphasized the importance of using non-competes strategically, especially for specific employees rather than implementing blanket policies. Additionally, the National Labor Relations Board is examining whether restricted covenants violate labor laws, indicating a potential shift in regulatory perspectives on non-competes. The e...
Aug 27, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast The episode begins by discussing the revised U.S. job growth data, revealing a loss of 818,000 jobs as remote work declines but stabilizes above pre-pandemic levels. Despite the challenges highlighted by the data, the Biden administration remains focused on ongoing job recovery efforts. The episode delves into the evolving landscape of remote work, with a decline in job listings offering remote or hybrid work compared to the hiring frenzy peak in 2022. The shift towards remote work stabilization...
Aug 26, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Sobel is joined by Jonathan Romley to discuss the state of hiring and international recruiting in the tech industry. They delve into the challenges companies face in maintaining operational efficiency while dealing with rising salary costs and a competitive job market. The conversation highlights the potential impact of a second wave of resignations and the need for companies to adapt their hiring strategies to attract and retain top talent. Jonathan Romley shares insights on proactive tale...
Aug 25, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
