Peggy Smedley Show

Peggy Smedley and Francesco Brenna, VP and senior partner, global Microsoft practice leader, IBM Consulting and Srinivasan Venkatarajan, director, data and ai global partner business, Microsoft, talk about their roles and how the companies work together. Brenna says together with our teams, we work at solving business problems for our clients, leveraging the power of the Microsoft technology. Venkatarajan shares about facilitating ...

Peggy Smedley and Mandy MacVey, partner, Venable, talk about the new SEC rule coming out. She says a lot of construction is “just-in-time” or “I will deal with it when I need to,” and this new rule is one example of the need for advanced planning and updating processes and procedures.

They also discuss:

• Who has to comply and how it will impact companies in the supply chain.
• The opportunity for work on infrastructure jobs and t...

Peggy talks all about the worker of tomorrow, taking a unique angle to the topic. She says we all know there is a labor shortage, and we all know organizations need to act to attract and retain talent, but what happens when organizations fail to act on results from employee surveys?

She also discusses:

• A new report that is out that gives greater insights into what is happening.
• The biggest barriers that are causing organizatio...

Peggy Smedley and Rigoberto Chinchilla, professor of applied engineering and technology, Eastern Illinois University, talk about cyber from a historical perspective. He says most equipment was never designed to withstand attacks.

They also discuss:

• The importance of cybersecurity in education.
• Legacy problems in cybersecurity.
• If companies are making mistakes or staying ahead of cyber.

eiu.edu/cyber 

(11/21/23 - 848)

IoT...

Peggy Smedley and Jessica Wyers, PhD, public relations and outreach manager, Cyber Florida, talk about who is vulnerable to an attack that puts our personal data at risk. She says at the end of the day, if you use a connected device of any kind, you are susceptible to having any of your information taken.

They also discuss:

• The four main types of attacks.
• How attacks can be destructive and the importance of having a plan for a...

Peggy talks about the worker of tomorrow and how we can unlock the potential of neurodivergent talent. She says if we don’t actively recruit these individuals, we are missing a huge opportunity.

She also discusses:

• Predictions some firms are indicating for the years ahead as it relates to our workforce.
• A few examples of companies that are taking steps to use technology to improve the quality of opportunity for all employees.
• ...

Peggy Smedley and Pamela Evette, lieutenant governor of South Carolina, talk about how we can improve the employment record in South Carolina. She says we are under the national average for unemployment in South Carolina, so they are reaching out in rural communities and helping them find opportunities.

They also discuss:

• Cultivating the workforce and creating a welcoming environment.
• Why South Carolina is so committed to EVs ...

Peggy Smedley and Ally Armeson, executive director of programs, Cybercrime Support Network, talk about some of the cybersecurity challenges when managing our hybrid workforces. She says there are a lot of challenges associated with a remote and hybrid environment including physical equipment, personal device usage, proper use of employer devices, and slower incident response, just to name a few.

They also discuss:

• The importan...

Peggy talks about the shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts and how AI (artificial intelligence) can help. She focuses on the opportunities AI brings and the responsibility we have when we use technologies.

She also discusses:

• How many CEOs believe cybersecurity requires episodic intervention rather than ongoing attention.
• An example of how generative AI can give security teams the data they need to fight the nefarious cha...

Peggy Smedley and Ed Amoroso, CEO, TAG Infosphere, talk about the challenges cybersecurity presents and the role the board of directors plays. He explains his experience on both sides—on a board of directors for a Fortune 500 bank and as a chief information security officer.

They also discuss:

• That board of directors don’t typically have experience in cyber.
• What companies should do if there is a cyberattack.
• How ESG is strate...

Peggy and Ally Armeson, executive director of programs, Cybercrime Support Network, talk about cybercrime and why the human element still plays such a huge role in cyberattacks. She says as long as humans are interacting with devices, we are a part of cybersecurity.

They also discuss:

• The importance of cyber in small businesses and how to be vigilant.
• Tips and tricks for password management and training workers.
• Steps we can t...

Are breaches up or down? Peggy answers on the first segment, explaining if we are headed in the right direction. She talks about how to increase the resiliency of businesses in the face of a cyber incident.

She also discusses:

• The four most common causes of attacks 
• The rise of zero-day attacks.
• Four key behaviors to focus on now to improve cyber resiliency.

peggysmedleyshow.com 

(10/31/23 - 845)

IoT, Internet of Things,...

Peggy and Alan Amling, assistant professor of practice, University of Tennessee Supply Chain Institute and CEO, advisory firm Thrive and Advance LLC, talk about the supply chain and the risk for supply chain leaders. He says the supply chain leaders are dealing with so much including the unexpected, the day-to-day, and the delays, as well as macro trends. 

They also discuss:

• Macro trends that aren’t hitting them in the face to...

Peggy and Jeff Winter, senior director industry strategy, manufacturing, Hitachi Solutions, talk about the challenges in production in the manufacturing industry. He talks about the difference between manufacturing and production, as the terms are often used interchangeably. 

They also discuss:

• The dire state of the manufacturing skills gap and production constraints.
• How automation and artificial intelligence can fill in the ...

Peggy Smedley talks about how technology changes the way we live, work, and interact with each other. She says as we see the digital world rise up, we must consider how we work and play in both the digital and physical world.

She also:

• Defines phygital and points to predictions for the future.
• Identifies how the physical and digital worlds are coming together and highlights what tech companies are doing.
• Details case studies i...

Peggy Smedley and Pamela Evette, lieutenant governor of South Carolina, continue their discussion around the future of work and how to reskill and upskill the worker of tomorrow. She says what businesses are calling for is soft skills.

They also discuss:

• If we are making progress and what we still have to do to get the next generation to understand.
• The importance of collaboration and that we all sink or swim together.
• Encoura...

Peggy Smedley and Veena Harbaugh, director of sustainability, Sendle, talk about why shipping should be elevated for those who are most concerned about the environment. She says we have tuned in so much to the sustainability aspects of products, but the shipping piece is an invisible layer for some of us. 

They also discuss:

• That it is only 3% of our global greenhouse gases, but the troubling part is the stats are headed in al...

Peggy Smedley talks about SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses), their impact on the economy, and how AI (artificial intelligence) fits into this discussion. She says small businesses are the backbone of the economy and they need technology and security support, as artificial intelligence comes in fast and furious.

She also:

• Defines what a small business is and paints a picture of what today’s small business market looks li...

Peggy Smedley and David Doermann, professor of empire innovation and the director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, the University at Buffalo, talk about AI (artificial intelligence) and the trends. He says AI is a term that has been around since the late 1950s, and he gives some current examples, answering if AI can be evil.

They also discuss:

• Where AI will complement human work and where AI will ...