Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

In this podcast episode, Michael George, the CEO of Syncro, discusses the evolving landscape of the MSP market. He emphasizes the importance of automation and AI in addressing the skills gap prevalent in the industry. George notes that the digital transformation of first-world economies has become increasingly complex, with a shift towards cloud-based applications and a distributed workforce. This complexity poses a challenge for MSPs responsible for managing and supporting these intricate digital environments.George highlights the critical role of automation in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of technicians within MSPs. By utilizing AI technologies and integrating automation into every aspect of their product, Synchro aims to empower technicians to focus on higher-value work. The objective is to streamline processes, proactively address issues, and optimize the technician-to-employee ratio for MSPs.He also addresses the pressing issue of cybersecurity within the MSP space. He acknowledges that security concerns are not only persistent but also escalating, making it essential for MSPs to prioritize security in their approach to managing digital environments. George emphasizes the need for a security-first posture and underscores the ongoing battle against cyber threats as a significant challenge for MSPs in 2024 and beyond. Supported by:  https://huntress.com/mspradio/https://coreview.com/msp/ All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/    💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This podcast highlights the consolidation trend in cybersecurity due to oversaturation of products. It also discusses the integration of AI into various industries, emphasizing quality over quantity in cybersecurity strategies. The episode covers Microsoft's AI staff relocation, collaborations between SolarWinds and Dell, and insights on data protection and AI from Alcyon's CEO.

The European Union's approval of landmark AI regulations marks a significant milestone in the governance of artificial intelligence. These regulations represent the first comprehensive framework for AI governance, aiming to make AI more human-centric and placing restrictions on high-risk AI systems. The regulations include measures such as banning certain AI applications and requiring labels for others. The AI Act is expected to become law in May, with full regulations in effect by mid-2026. Violations of the AI Act can result in substantial fines, up to $38 million or 7% of a company's global revenue.This development is crucial for businesses operating in the EU, as the regulations will apply to all companies offering AI models in the region. The EU's leadership in AI regulation sets a precedent for other regions and underscores the importance of ethical and responsible AI development. By implementing these regulations, the EU aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that prioritizes human well-being and safety.The approval of these regulations highlights the growing importance of AI governance and the need for clear guidelines to address the ethical and societal implications of AI technologies. As businesses continue to integrate AI into their operations, compliance with these regulations will be essential to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and build trust with consumers and stakeholders. Four things to know today 00:00 EU Approves Landmark AI Regulations: First Comprehensive Framework for AI Governance03:34 AI Everywhere: Barracuda, GoTo, Dell, and HaloPSA Lead with AI Innovations in Partner and Customer Solutions05:14 Virtual Machines Out, Cloud and AI In: John Deere and Computershare's Strategic Moves06:42 Why Building an AI Strategy is Better Than Hiring a Chief AI Officer   Supported by: http://skykick.com/mspradio/https://getinsync.ca/mspradio/   All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/    💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Microsoft's Build event showcased several key announcements, including the introduction of AI-powered CoPilot Plus PCs, enhanced security measures, and new AI tools. The CoPilot Plus PCs featured AI-powered ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, offering advanced capabilities for automation, collaboration, and productivity. These devices were designed to streamline IT tasks, boost collaboration, and enhance overall productivity for users.In terms of security, Microsoft unveiled a major push for Windows 11, introducing new features and updates to enhance user protections. This included the adoption of the Pluton security processor in the CoPilot Plus PCs, local security authority protection on all PCs, Windows Hello enhanced sign-in security, smart app control, and Windows Hello and Win32 app isolation updates. These security enhancements aimed to address cybersecurity challenges and provide users with a more secure computing environment.Additionally, Microsoft introduced new AI tools and capabilities, such as the Recall feature for logging and retrieving user actions, real-time video translation on Microsoft Edge, and the release of Azure AI Studio with various AI models optimized for different tasks. These tools aimed to improve user experience, accessibility, and efficiency by leveraging AI technology to enhance various aspects of computing and communication.Overall, Microsoft's focus on AI-powered CoPilot Plus PCs, enhanced security measures, and new AI tools at the Build event highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and improving the user experience in the digital landscape. Four things to know today from Microsoft Build 00:00 Surface Event Highlights: AI-Powered Copilot Plus PCs, Enhanced Security, and New AI Tools06:04 Microsoft Expands Copilot AI to Automate IT Tasks, Boost Collaboration, and Enhance Productivity09:15 End of an Era: Microsoft Deprecates NTLM and VBScript, Shifts to Modern Security Measures11:15 Windows 11 Recall Feature Sparks Privacy and Data Security Concerns   Supported by:  https://www.coreview.com/msp  All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/   💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently adopted changes to Regulation S-P, which now requires financial institutions to disclose security breaches within 30 days of learning about them. These amendments also expand safeguards and disposal rules, mandate written compliance records, and extend the rules to transfer agents. The primary goal of these new requirements is to protect the privacy of customers' financial data and ensure prompt notification in case of a breach.The EPA has issued an enforcement alert warning about the increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks against water utilities in the U.S. The agency found that about 70 percent of utilities inspected in the past year violated standards meant to prevent breaches. Recent attacks by groups affiliated with Russia and Iran have targeted smaller communities. The EPA urged water systems to improve protections against hacks, including changing default passwords and cutting off system access to former employees.Microsoft's decision to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts by the end of the year is a significant step towards enhancing cybersecurity measures. The episode highlights that over 99.99% of MFA-enabled accounts have successfully resisted hacking attempts, emphasizing the effectiveness of this security measure. Admins are encouraged to enable MFA in their tenants before the rollout, and they can monitor MFA registration using authentication methods, registration reports, and PowerShell scripts. Three things to know today00:00 SEC Adopts Changes to Regulation S-P: Strengthening Privacy and Data Protection03:40 Surge in Untested Deepfake Detection Services without High Accuracy 05:59 Microsoft to Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication for All Accounts by Year-End   Supported by:  https://huntress.com/mspradio/ All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/     💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Biden administration has introduced voluntary AI principles for worker interaction and data use, focusing on responsible data use, upskilling support, and transparency in AI deployment. The goal is to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI technologies in the workplace. Companies like Microsoft and Indeed have already agreed to these principles, demonstrating a commitment to creating a safe and fair environment for workers interacting with AI technologies.These principles align with the increasing importance of ethical AI practices in the tech industry, emphasizing the need for prioritizing the well-being and rights of employees when implementing AI solutions. By highlighting transparency and upskilling support, the administration aims to address concerns related to data privacy, job displacement, and bias in AI systems.Moreover, the State Department has used artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline records management and improve the declassification process, achieving significant time and cost savings. Lessons learned from these projects include starting small, fostering collaboration, and continuous training of the machine learning model.These examples illustrate how AI technologies are being leveraged to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and reduce manual labor in law enforcement and government records management, ultimately saving time, improving accuracy, and enhancing operational effectiveness. Three things to know today 00:00 Biden Administration Introduces Voluntary AI Principles for Worker Interaction and Data Use05:18 AI Enhances Efficiency in Law Enforcement and Government Records Management07:39 Half of IT Partners Anticipate Revenue from Sustainable Solutions by 2024, Despite Challenges   Supported by:  https://www.bitdefender.com/business/products/msp-security-solutions.htmlhttps://skykick.com/mspradio/   All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/    💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Small businesses have demonstrated job gains, particularly in the South and leisure industries, as highlighted in the podcast episode. According to the April ADP National Employment Report, small businesses added 38,000 jobs nationwide, with the majority of job growth occurring in the South. The leisure and hospitality sectors saw a notable increase of 56,000 jobs during this period. Conversely, the information sector experienced a decline of 4,000 jobs, potentially due to a skills gap and the influence of AI and automation.This discrepancy in job growth between small businesses in the leisure industry and the information sector underscores the challenges faced by the latter due to technological advancements. The impact of AI and automation is evident in the information sector, resulting in job losses and a mismatch in skills. As technology continues to progress, small businesses in the information sector must adapt to remain competitive and address the challenges posed by automation and AI.The expansion of professional services is a significant trend in 2024, as highlighted in the podcast episode. According to the data presented, 85% of organizations are planning to increase their professional services teams this year. This indicates a growing recognition of the importance of professional services in driving business objectives and profitability. Three things to know today00:00 Small Business Job Gains Highlight Opportunities Amid Economic Cooldown and Tech Talent Shortages05:19 Nebraska Passes Personal Privacy Protection Act06:40 Professional Services Expansion on the Rise: 85% of Organizations to Increase Teams in 2024   Supported by:  https://huntress.com/mspradio/  All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/  💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI presents a significant opportunity for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to enhance their services by replacing legacy tools with AI-enabled solutions. In a podcast episode featuring Niraj Tolia, the CEO of Alcion, the discussion highlights how AI can empower MSPs to focus on delivering value-added services to their end customers. By utilizing AI tools, MSPs can streamline operations, reduce operational burdens, and improve the overall customer experience. This shift enables MSPs to prioritize critical aspects such as professional services, digital transformation, and customer relationships. The episode emphasizes that integrating AI is not about replacing MSPs but enhancing their capabilities. By incorporating AI technologies, MSPs can automate tasks, enhance security measures, detect anomalies, and provide more reliable services. This benefits end customers by offering advanced features and improved security while allowing MSPs to save time and resources previously spent on manual tasks. Supported by: https://getinsync.ca/mspradio/ https://timezest.com/mspradio/  All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/    💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI is increasingly being utilized across various industries to boost efficiency and cut costs, with a strong emphasis on data management. The podcast episode provided several examples showcasing how AI is enhancing operations in different sectors. For instance, Sam's Club is using AI technology to tackle shoplifting by analyzing photos of customers' carts and cross-referencing them with receipts as they leave the store. This solution has not only sped up the exit process for customers but has also enhanced the overall shopping experience. This demonstrates how AI is being applied in retail to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Moreover, the New York Times article discussed how airlines are leveraging AI to enhance the flying experience. Tools like Connection Saver help airlines accommodate delayed passengers, while AI systems aid in planning efficient flight routes, saving fuel and time. This use of AI in the airline industry illustrates how data management and analysis can lead to operational efficiencies and cost savings. Additionally, the podcast highlighted the introduction of AI-powered tools by companies such as Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and CloudFlare to bolster cybersecurity and application observability. These tools harness AI to offer guided automation, actionable insights, and natural language interfaces to security analysts, enabling them to identify and address threats more effectively. This showcases how AI is being integrated into cybersecurity solutions to enhance data management and bolster security measures. Overall, the examples presented in the podcast episode underscore the increasing trend of deploying AI in various industries to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve data management practices. The focus on data management is crucial as AI technologies rely heavily on high-quality data to provide accurate insights and drive operational enhancements.  Supported by:  https://salesbuildr.com/  All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/      💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Security systems are increasingly vulnerable to a variety of threats, as discussed in the podcast episode. Issues such as DNS tunneling, Wi-Fi vulnerabilities like the SSID Confusion attack, and weaknesses in voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant highlight the critical need for robust security measures. DNS tunneling, as seen in campaigns like TrickCDN and SexShow, allows threat actors to encode data in DNS queries, evade network firewalls, and execute command-and-control operations. To address this risk, organizations are advised to deploy DNS monitoring and analysis tools to detect unusual traffic patterns and restrict DNS resolvers. Similarly, the SSID Confusion attack exploits a flaw in the IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standard, deceiving users into connecting to insecure networks and enabling attackers to intercept network traffic. Proposed solutions include updating the Wi-Fi standard to include the SSID in the four-way handshake and enhancing beacon protection. The podcast episode emphasized the increasingly complex role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) due to various factors. One key challenge is the mounting legal pressure on CISOs, particularly with the rise in ransomware attacks. CISOs often bear responsibility for cybersecurity incidents, despite potential limitations in organizational authority and reporting structures that may hinder their ability to enact necessary security changes effectively. Three things to know today 00:00 Critical Analysis: Who Bears Responsibility When Security Systems Fail?05:46 Tech Companies See Senior Talent Drain Amid Stricter Office Return Mandates08:18 The Tough Reality of CISO Roles: Balancing Security Demands with Limited Authority   Supported by:  https://coreview.com/msp/https://mspradio.com/engage/   All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/     Looking for a link from the stories?   The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/. Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/ Support the show on Patreon:  https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want our stuff?  Cool Merch?  Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social   💼 All Our SponsorsSupport the vendors who support the show:👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.