Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

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 ...

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 t...

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 s...

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...

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 increasi...

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 gr...

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 i...

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 Sobe...

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 organiz...

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%...

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 Josl...

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 opportun...

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...

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 ...

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 disc...

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 wher...

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...

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 transcr...

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 ...