The Killing IT Podcast

Welcome to Episode 212 At 212 degrees fahrenheit, water becomes steam. At 211 it's hot. At 212 you can move a locomotive or make electricity. We are happy to bring you episode 212 of the Killing IT Podcast! Please share this podcast on Apple, iHeart, or wherever you listen. Sponsored by… The Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. The best deal in online communities for IT business owners is the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Memberships start at just $799 per year, and that includes a five-week course at IT Service Provider University. Grab all the details at https://www.smallbizthoughts.org.  Topics: Topic 1: CISA update If the US government is not going to be helping small businesses with security alerts, who will step in to provide this service? Is there anything we can do to get CISA to help, or will this be another function we simply defer to Europe to provide the leadership? Doing nothing is not an option? What are you doing to stay tuned to security alerts for your clients? Topic 2: Taxes for IT consultants. Maryland and Washington announce new taxes. Who's next? Not to say we told you so, but … Whether we like it or not, taxes are coming to online services and tech support. Maryland's tax appeared very quickly, and then narrowed down to only SMALL IT consultants.  Dave mentioned this in his Business of Tech podcast, and the National Society of IT Service Providers addressed this on their blog at https://nsitsp.org/those-who-do-not-organize-get-taxed-lessons-from-marylands-3-tech-tax/. Now is a great time to decide where we as an industry stand on this. Topic 3: Under what circumstances should we rely on generative AI? There's a growing disillusionment with generative AI. There continue to be problems with hallucinations and outright falsehoods. And there are continuing examples of just plain laziness - without any meaningful accountability.  We discuss a really great, Boolean decision tree. See the graphic at https://guides.lib.usf.edu/c.php?g=1315087&p=9678779. That graphic also provides a very short, very straight-forward description of the answer. Does it matter if the output is true, accurate, or helpful? Do you have the knowledge and ability to determine whether the output is accurate? Feedback always welcome! :-)

Topic 1: CISA Under the Microscope CISA was called out in the Project 2025 document as a left-wing organization inside the government due to their warning about election interference. It is now subject to cuts and scrutiny. In the mass firings at DHS on February 14th, 130 employees at CISA were fired as they were “probationary” employees. Many MSPs and MSSPs subscribe to CISA.gov alerts. It is unclear how this will be affected. Wherever you stand on politics or related topics, small business needs a good source of security alerts we can rely on. What's your take? Topic 2 (AI, of course): Was DeepSeek revolutionary or just the next obvious step in the evolution of AI? From Geekwire: Satya Nadella's response was, "Jevons paradox strikes again! . . . As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use skyrocket, turning it into a commodity we just can't get enough of." What do you think. Just another step in the evolution of AI? Or is there news here? See: - https://www.geekwire.com/2025/microsoft-ceo-says-ai-use-will-skyrocket-with-more-efficiency-amid-craze-over-deepseek/  - Wikipedia on Jevon's Paradox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jevons_paradox  - ChatGPT now has 300 million users (https://backlinko.com/chatgpt-stats)  - Google Search has 1 billion regular users, and now includes Gemini results at the top of every search - Microsoft CoPilot has about 30 million users (https://www.businessofapps.com/data/microsoft-copilot-statistics/)  - Adobe Creative Cloud has about 30 million users and includes AI in all products (https://photutorial.com/adobe-statistics/)  Topic 3: Will Microsoft compete with you - or your SOC? Now available: Microsoft Defender Experts for XDR Says Microsoft: "Our expertise is now your expertise. Augment your teams across security, compliance, identity, management, and privacy with Microsoft Security Experts." See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/services Is this service worth considering, or should Microsoft put those resources into fixing security problems in their deployed software? The pages makes it sound like this will have a major human-led component, but that's exactly what they are NOT doing. Will you jump on board or wait to see if this is real first? And will this help Microsoft cut payroll, or just require more hiring? We welcome your feedback! :-)    

The Q4 2024 Killing IT Podcast features what may be our last discussion of robots for a long time! Topic One - Where Are My Robots??? We've been talking about this for five years - So where are the robots? We have a massive personnel shortage on many fronts. AI is creating jobs faster and faster. So why haven't robots evolved to serve us? We're on the verge. What's the holdup? If nothing else, we're tired of talking about it.   Topic Two - The Changing Economy of Our Industry In just the last five years, a layer of billion-dollar and near-billion-dollar companies are major players in our industry. This is literally a new layer of business and ownership. They are almost entirely focused on the top 3-5% of businesses in our space. In the meantime, 95% of SMB IT consists of and serves 1-4 person companies. The continued growth at the top seems unsustainable. So . . . where is all this going? Topic Three - A Practical Approach to AI  There's some (seemingly) conflicting research with AI adoption. Forrester highlighted the benefits of Copilot adoption for SMB. Lots of benefits, increased revenue, lower employee attrition, and more. At the same time, The Information reports that customers give Copilot mixsed reviews. Large corporations are increasing their usage, but tend not to use the paid version. Is this a conflict? How do we make sense? Obviously, we have three opinions. -- -- --  That's it for Q4 and for 2024. We'll be backin Q1 2025! :-)  

We're back for Q3 2024. Quick question of the day ... then onto the topics of the day. Topic 1: MIT Releases the AI Risk Repository Thanks to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a major resource. It's definitely more for you than your clients. But we see great opportunity here.  The public database contains 700+ risks as documented by published papers. It includes many categories, based on severity and other variables.  Check it out here: https://airisk.mit.edu/ You can poke around online and gets some good information. Or download the entire database in Excel format. You can then sort, color code, or do whatever you want with the data.  And that includes providing educationi and training for your clients -- -- --  Topic 2: Shocker - Google Has a Monopoly on Search! Okay, not really a shocker. But does it matter that a judege says so? Does anyone care (other than other search engines)? Would breaking up Google change anything? What is most likely to actually happen (e.g., Microsoft-like consent decree)? The 1984 AT&T breakup into seven baby Bells may help us see 40 years into the future As usual, we discuss. Related Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/13/technology/google-monopoly-antitrust-justice-department.html -- -- -- Topic 3: NIST Releases Cryptography for Quantum Computing See https://www.axios.com/2024/08/13/nist-post-quantum-cryptography-encryption. Quantum computing has been ten years away . . . for more than forty years.   Besides the “no harm to update,” how much attention do we really need to give to quantum computing?    We have three different perspective on how much this "news" matters. As usual. What do you think?  

Topic 1: Massive Botnet Network Taken Down Police coordinated by the European Union's justice and police agencies have taken down computer networks responsible for spreading ransomware via infected emails, in what they called the biggest-ever international operation against the lucrative form of cybercrime. The European Union's judicial cooperation agency, Eurojust, said that police arrested four “high value” suspects, took down more than 100 servers and seized control of over 2,000 internet domains. Related Link: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/massive-international-police-operation-takes-ransomware-networks-arrests-110667670 -- -- -- Topic 2: AI Update, because We Have To Are strategies emerging?  Amazon is a brokerage for models Microsoft is doing CoPilot OpenAI is everywhere Apple just announced Apple Intelligence Cisco announces a pile of stuff Is there a “killer app” coming soon?  -- -- --  Topic 3: How is the M&A Frenzy affecting SMB IT? Google “m&a in it consulting” and you'll find articles, events, advice, and a whole lot people scrambling for the almighty dollar. Are the KPIs used in business acquisition really the KPIs you should be using to run a solid, long-term business? The most common way that small businesses “end” are 1) Walk away, and 2) Sell the client list. None of those people are getting 3x profit or even 3x EBITDA. Should they change their business or just keep doing what they're doing? -- -- -- Sponsor Memo: IT Service Provider University  This episode is Sponsored by Karl's next big class at IT Service Provider University. The five-week course, Core Standard Operating Procedures for Small IT Service Providers, starts July 2nd and costs only $399. This class walks through the most important processes and procedures you need to run a successful, profitable IT company. And best of all, you get massive handouts as a "first draft" for your own SOP library. More information at https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/core-operating-procedures/ :-)

Check out the bonus Killing IT content on MSP Radio's Business of Tech podcast! Today's a great day to subscribe to that: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/ -- -- --  Topic 1: The Current State of Mergers, Acquisition, and MSP Consolidation Mergers and Acquisitions are alive and well in the MSP channel. Jay McBain from Canalys predicts a growth of M&A of 50% in 2024. In addition to MSPs themselves, he says that we'll see some major vendors acquired as well. The promise of these larger organizations is always that they'll bring efficiency and profit. So far, that hasn't happened. But that's the promise. Karl thinks this is a GREAT marketing opportunity for MSPs. Related Links: https://greenwichgp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MA-Demand-for-Managed-Service-Providers-in-2024.pdf  https://www.channelfutures.com/mergers-acquisitions/msp-m-a-staying-hot-what-to-expect  -- -- --  Topic 2: The Practical Application for AI in Small Business Are we there yet? While AI is the most popular topic in technology, the question remains: what can we use AI for that will produce actual business value? Some industries have made great progress with AI, including manufacturing and medicine. According to a recent study, more than 93% of manufacturers (from start-ups to global giants) are already using AI in some form.  What are the implications and opportunities for MSPs and solution providers to sell their services to manufacturing clients? And what lessons can we learn to accelerate the adoption of AI in other industries? Related Link: https://research.aimultiple.com/manufacturing-ai/ -- -- -- Topic 3: How to best use predictions and analysis from guys like us. Summary of the Larry Walsh article linked below:  “IT spending growth projections should be taken with caution as they are directional and subject to change. While major analyst firms forecast healthy growth, the market is not uniformly strong, with several countries experiencing recession. Partner confidence is also dampened due to negative macroeconomic trends. Despite fluctuations in forecasts, investors, vendors, and partners rely on them for strategic planning. Channelnomics predicts conditions in the first half of 2024 to resemble 2023, with substantial improvement in the second half. Robust growth in IT spending is expected in 2025 and potentially 2026, driven by investments in artificial intelligence, data management services, and infrastructure refreshes.” Article by Larry Walsh, Channelnomics:  https://channelnomics.com/taking-it-spending-forecasts-with-grain-of-salt/  See also: "With a projected 6.8% surge in global IT investment in 2024, organizations are positioned at the brink of transformative growth. According to Gartner, worldwide IT spending it expected to total $5 trillion in 2024. This represents a 6.8 percent increase over 2023. And while this is an increase, it's down from the previous forecast of 8 percent." https://www.teamdynamix.com/strategic-it-spending-in-2024-navigating-growth-and-innovation/   :-)

Topic 1: Chat GPT 1 year later. AI Article Summary: Elon Musk creates his own AI company called X.AI, while Satya Nadella of Microsoft invests in OpenAI and accelerates plans to incorporate AI into Microsoft's products. OpenAI releases ChatGPT as a "low key research preview," which becomes a hit. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, faces challenges with its own chatbot and struggles with the decision to go open-source. Microsoft introduces its own chatbot in Bing, surpassing Google's efforts. Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent AI scientist at Google, decides to quit and reflects on the rapid advancements in AI technology. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/technology/ai-chatgpt-google-meta.html --- Topic 2: Robots Multiplying by Thousands! AI Article Summary: Agility Robotics plans to open a factory in Oregon to mass-produce humanoid robots, starting with their bot named Digit. The factory aims to produce 10,000 robots per year and will assist companies like Amazon with tasks such as hauling and lifting. The production of bipedal robots that are nimbler and more versatile than existing industrial counterparts presents engineering challenges, but Agility Robotics aims to make general-purpose humanoids available as soon as possible.  Other competitors in this space include Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Figure, and Apptronik. Amazon has invested in Agility Robotics and is testing Digit in a laboratory. The concern about robots taking jobs from humans has prompted Amazon to partner with MIT to study automation's impact on work. While there is momentum behind humanoid robots, there is still more testing to be done. In a separate article, it is highlighted that America's military needs to embrace artificial intelligence and robotics to maintain its competitive advantage in future wars, but congressional and bureaucratic restraints hinder rapid mobilization and investment in these technologies. https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-whats-next-d504c6f4-c6d1-4979-ae67-72f5bfaff090.html --- Topic 3: Will Private Equity Destroy Our Industry? Karl speculates that private funding and private equity will be looking for serious payouts starting in 2024. With a 4-6 year window, the clock is ticking. Some companies will have an identity crisis in the years ahead, and that will become visible in 2024.  Higher interest rates will force companies to decide, “Do we want to run this company like an adult, or take our money and leave?” Those who stay will either get loans - at higher rates than we've seen in twelve years - or take companies private so they don't rely on outside financing. Investors who were promised a straight 40-50% return per year were disappointed in 2023 and that disappointment will grow in 2024. These people care nothing for the businesses they buy or the end clients of those businesses. Our industry cannot escape the effects of this unknown element of chaos.   --- Sponsor Memo: IT Service Provider University  This episode is Sponsored by Dave's January class at ITSPU.com. Dave is teaching a brand new class in January: navigating emerging technologies for MSPs. This is a five week class, which will walk through the methodology Dave uses for analyzing technologies and how you can apply that in your business to find trends and be effective in your service provider business. More info at  https://www.itspu.com/all-classes/classes/navigating-emerging-technologies-for-msps/   :-)

We're Baaaaaack! The Killing IT team returns . . . with a fun and educational Q4 show.  Topic 1: Overworking  Have you heard the term Over Employment or Overworking? These are folks who manage to hold down two or three full time jobs using apps and BS. Are these just eager, hardworking "gig" folks, or are they thieves who are simply more interested in making money than earning an honest living? A few links: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7begx/overemployed-hustlers-exploit-chatgpt-to-take-on-even-more-full-time-jobs https://www.wired.com/story/remote-tech-workers-secret-multiple-jobs/ https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/news-insights/fp-weekly-checklist-avoiding-the-new-breed-of-workplace-scams-in-the-remote-work-era.html They even have their own web site. https://overemployed.com/ Topic 2: Catch up on Artificial Intelligence Wow! What a year. Are we in the middle of a singularity? ow much is this like the early Internet (late 1990's)? It seems like 2023 will be remembered as the year of AI.  We look at the good and the great - and what's next. What do you think? Topic 3: Metaverse – Dave offers a theory What will augmented reality bring? It looks like the future is becoming a little more visible. New products, from Apple's Vision Pro to Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, are bringing new opportunities and will only get better with a little AI! We discuss. Please like and share - and send us your feedback! -- -- -- :-)  

Topic 1: How much will AI change our business in the next twelve months? ChatGPT now has over 100 million users. Government wants to regulate it. We're past the hockey stick moment.  https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/14/u-s-tech-policy-must-keep-pace-with-ai-innovation/  --- Topic 2: Oh Dear God - Minority Report crack for Ryan: Movie clip reconstructed by an AI reading mice's brains as they watch Researchers have put together a 30-second movie clip based on a group of mice's brain activity data that was recorded while they watched the footage https://www.newscientist.com/article/2371943-movie-clip-reconstructed-by-an-ai-reading-mices-brains-as-they-watch/    --- Topic 3: How dead is the metaverse? KP: Not every “cool” technology has a big future. It will find its niche.    https://www.businessinsider.com/metaverse-dead-obituary-facebook-mark-zuckerberg-tech-fad-ai-chatgpt-2023-5   --- Resources and Links: https://www.businessof.tech/ https://www.asigra.com/ https://smbonlineconference.com/  

Topic 1: The Arms Race is Here...AI is Definitely Moving Fast, but Will It Break Things? ChatGPT is now integrated in Bing as “Prometheus.” That sounds ominous. But Bard is also coming. And now Ernie. And Claude. Soon there will be AI bots generating “conversations” and disrupting the search industry on all sides of the globe. Is that a good thing? https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-baidu-finish-testing-chatgpt-style-project-ernie-bot-march-2023-02-07/ https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/08/chinese-tech-giant-alibaba-working-on-a-chatgpt-rival-shares-jump.html Sample alternative tools -  https://bing.com https://hyperwriteai.com/ https://easy-peasy.ai/  ...And also, apparently writing software is about to become a less-lucrative career path. https://www.semafor.com/article/01/27/2023/openai-has-hired-an-army-of-contractors-to-make-basic-coding-obsolete --- Topic 2: Revisiting the Cabana... Four years ago, we set out to change the way our industry discussed IT.  We covered the scary, the quirky, and the fun of IT--all in hopes we could help others (and ourselves) understand this wild world just a little more.   Thank you for helping us do that. This is not goodbye. We WILL see you later. Until then, we thank you for tuning in to the Killing IT Podcast.    Contact us: Karl https://smallbizthoughts.com/ https://smbonlineconference.com/ Dave https://www.businessof.tech/ Ryan rmorris@morrismp.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmorris303 --- Sponsor Memo: Linode  Are your go-to cloud providers AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud? Do you ever question whether some clients really need the complexity and expense of the big players? Recommend a better fit with Linode and Akamai, Linux cloud hosting at a fraction of the cost of the big players. Save up to 70% on cloud bills, enjoy flat transparent pricing and zero-tier technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of your monthly spend. Test Linode for yourself with $250 free cloud credit from https://linode.com/mspradio

Topic 1: Score 1 for the Good Guys in the Cyber Wars https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-0f2b3e6a-1272-4510-8fd2-c1aa9128b8db.html In a significant development in the fight against ransomware, the FBI announces that they have shut down a notorious cyber gang after infiltrating their system months ago and secretly giving decryption keys to ransomware victims. Topic 2: Ummmm … This is Some Seriously Scary Big Brother Stuff https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3p7xj/scientists-are-getting-eerily-good-at-using-wifi-to-see-people-through-walls-in-detail Scientists have announced that they are able to see people through walls using WiFi technology. And not just the “heat blob” from Hollywood movies … but detailed movements and positions. On a scientific note, this is cool. On a security / privacy note, this is super eerie.  Topic 3: No One Is Surprised: The First Victim in the AI Wars Will Be … Ethics https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-77eb3638-5655-4156-b6dc-abb7129dde34.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0 Sure, generative AI is fun. We have had our laughs and we're starting to grind the gears to find legitimate uses for services like ChatGPT … and the possibilities are incredible. But never forget that this isn't just about technology, it's about business. And the incumbents aren't going to just let the upstart take over the industry. And once the race for market domination begins, the commitment to ethics and fair treatment are likely to be the first casualties. https://www.nist.gov/trustworthy-and-responsible-ai  Princeton computer science professor says don't panic over 'bullshit generator' ChatGPT https://www.businessinsider.com/princeton-prof-chatgpt-bullshit-generator-impact-workers-not-ai-revolution-2023-1 "It is trying to be persuasive, and it has no way to know for sure whether the statements it makes are true or not," he said.  Also … this one is incredibly funny: https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-77eb3638-5655-4156-b6dc-abb7129dde34.html :-)  The Onion weighs in with the most accurate take on ChatGPT yet. Sponsor Memo: OITVOIP Let's cut the FUD; don't let anyone scare you from selling VoIP because “compliance is hard”.  With our newest Managed Compliance service, OITVOIP removes compliance headaches from the picture while you retain control of your client relationships.  Get started selling faster than ever! Visit HTTPS://oit.co/ mspradio to learn more today! 

Topic 1: Sorry: Let's talk jobs. December: Total new jobs UP 235,000. That is despite the fact the enterprise companies (500 employees+) reduced jobs by 151,000 https://adpemploymentreport.com/ ← Great summary stats Spotify  600 (6% of workforce) Twitter  3,700 (50% of those who lasted this long) Salesforce 7,000 (10% of workforce) Microsoft 10,000 (5% of workforce) Tesla  10,000 (10% of workforce) Google  12,000 (6% of workforce) Amazon 18,000 (1% of workforce) Oh, and . . . Apple  0 (0% of workforce) - Minor adjustments at retail locations See also the big Layoff-Tracker Service at TrueUp -  https://www.trueup.io/layoffs  NOTE - TrueUp also lists about 180,000 tech job openings right now. Topic 2: The FBI crime data is not good! We have a crime data dilemma.  The recent mass shooting in Monterey Park, CA will NOT be included in the FBI's nationwide crime statistics. It turns out, the county as well as 33% of other law enforcement agencies, have not be using the the justice department's crime reporting system.  Does this data disconnet present new opportunities?  https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-whats-next-add26afa-8dd9-45d6-9e98-19120c707fe6.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0 Topic 3: First Personal Drone to be Produced by India No, Wally, you don't get a flying car. But you might get a personal drone. Currently going into production for the Indian Navy. But keep your eyes open for a civilian version. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indias-first-passenger-drone-will-be-showcased-by-navys-tableau-on-republic-day/articleshow/97292778.cms Maybe you do get a flying car: https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/01/09/flying-cars-virginia-jetson The maker of the Jetson One — a single-passenger aircraft whose manufacturer says it can take off and land from a driveway — says one of its first customers is in Charlottesville, with a delivery scheduled for later this year, per the company's website.   Sponsor Memo: NSITSP  Hey MSPs: People are talking about you - behind your back. They're regulators and legislators. They're CISA and the states of Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. And more. Every state now has at least one committee in their state legislature that focuses on cybersecurity. That means regulation is coming. You can count on it. The National Society of IT Service Providers was created to give you a seat at the table when someone's talking about you. That includes regulator, legislators, and even the media. Find out more and join today at https://www.nsitsp.org We're working on your behalf to turn the industry into a profession.    

Topic 1: Small companies are “labor hoarding” while large companies are laying off. https://www.utahbusiness.com/labor-hoarding-tech/  https://www.teambonding.com/labor-hoarding/  Keeping employees at any cost! Topic 2: Understanding the Dynamics of the Tech Workforce in 2023 Data Point 1: Tech Layoffs are Happening … But Not Because Tech is Suddenly Less Valuable https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-e28dd906-601f-480d-8c1a-656851613556.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0 Data Point 2: Tech Jobs are Less Attractive to Young Professionals https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/01/09/tech-jobs-less-desireable-2023 Data Point 3: Shifting Preference for Generalists vs. Specialists … Plus a Mainstream Rise of “Business IT” Contributors https://www.ciodive.com/news/technology-workforce-trends-2023/639543/ Amazon layoffs delivered by email. ← Low class or just modern times? Topic 3: Cal Newport on the Digital Workplace: We got it wrong Too much distraction. In fact, ALL distraction, all the time. Primary thesis = We rarely get things right the first time. But we treat technology as if we do. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/01/23/magazine/cal-newport-interview.html See also https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/ Sponsor Memo: Linode The days of limiting yourself to the big players is coming to an end. Modernize your cloud offerings by partnering with Linode and Akamai. The cloud landscape is growing with alternative cloud providers like Linode offering better price to performance and better support at the fraction of the cost. There's just some clients that don't fit into the one size fits all box of the Big 3. Enter Linode, Linux cloud hosting at the fraction of the cost of the big players. Your customers can save up to 70% on their cloud bill.   Find out more at https://linode.com/mspradio  

Topic 1: Algorithms Need Management Training, Too! From Wired Magazine. Human beings excel at avoiding responsibility for difficult decisions. Management and personnel decisions are often difficult. Therefore, they are great candidates for turning decision-making over to the bots. What could possibly go wrong? https://www.wired.com/story/platform-work-labor-economy-ai/  Topic 2: Microsoft drops $1 Billion on ChatGPT I should have bought more Microsoft stock yesterday. :-)  Looking to the true “next level” of product development. Microsoft was an early investor in ChatGPT  https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-openai-investment-the-smartest-1-billion-ever-spent-2023-1 Topic 3: Apple to drop Broadcom chip and make their own. Is this just the never-ending story of “control” of supply chain, or is there a strategy for secret development here? (Are there future technologies that are more easily developed in private, when you don't have to share future features with an outside chip builder?) https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-drop-key-broadcom-chip-2025-in-house-design-bloomberg-news-2023-01-09/     Sponsor Memo: Acronis  Every client needs Cyber Protection. But that doesn't mean service providers have to deploy a jumbled patchwork of solutions to get it done. Modern protection starts with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. Acronis combines backup, anti-malware, endpoint protection, management and robust ransomware defense all from a single console. That's why successful MSPs use Acronis to generate more recurring revenue AND reduce churn. It's easy to get started at https://Acronis.com      

Topic 1: Generative AI is Fun … Until the “Other” Guys Start Doing It Too https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/31/how-china-is-building-a-parallel-generative-ai-universe/ China is aggressively building their own versions of generative AI platforms (with some obvious / inevitable filters) that do essentially the same thing as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion. The question is whether they will be able to out-race us to the auto-content future … and whether that is a problem. Topic 2: LastPass - Lessons for the Channel Should we be worried? What do we expect from vendors? What's reasonable and realistic? https://blog.lastpass.com/2022/12/notice-of-recent-security-incident/  Is this worth discussing as a larger topic of always-on monitoring and reporting? Topic 3: Fast Forward Into the Future: Intelligent Elevators are Coming Soon https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-whats-next-b35b53bd-5aa6-4a83-aae5-a44e904ffa78.html?chunk=0&utm_term=emshare#story0 Everyone who has ever been in an elevator knows what is good and what is bad about the experience. But changes in behavior and city culture brought on by the pandemic are accelerating the evolution of the elevator experience: facial recognition to automatically take you to your floor, provide personalized advertising / entertainment, and even provide solo rides for VIPs. The smart city concept will eventually affect everything … are we ready for elevators that know who we are? See also: Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything Paperback – January 1, 2000 by James Gleick  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Faster-Acceleration-Just-About-Everything/dp/067977548X    Sponsor Memo: PC Matic  PC Matic — Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation. Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting. The perfect compliment to your current security stack. No minimums and no annual contracts. Find out more about by visiting https://PCMatic.com/MSP today.

Topic 1: For Sale on eBay: A Military Database of Fingerprints and Iris Scans Great topic for ITSPs - especially as clients get rid of equipment at the end of year. Old machines of all kinds might have sensitive data. Not this juicy, perhaps, but stories like this are great for you client-facing newsletters. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/technology/for-sale-on-ebay-a-military-database-of-fingerprints-and-iris-scans.html Topic 2: The age of the work-from-home whistleblower Why are so many remote workers deciding to squeal on their companies? https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-surge-employees-whistleblowing-complaints-companies-fraud-2022-12 Topic 3: Man Simulates Time Travel  So, what is our weekly update with AI? On the up-less existential-side, we have some fun: Time traveling with the aid of AI. No copyrgiht infringment here. Right?  https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/12/man-simulates-time-travel-thanks-to-stable-diffusion-image-synthesis/ Sponsor Memo: SBTTC  This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at https://www.SmallBizThoughts.org Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year. We are totally dedicated to YOUR success.  Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at www.SmallBizThoughts.org. :-)

Topic 1: Meta scamming: Scammers Are Scamming Other Scammers Out of Millions of Dollars https://www.wired.com/story/cybercrime-hackers-scams-forums/  On cybercrime forums, user complaints about being duped may accidentally expose their real identities. Topic 2: Teens are Self-Liberating from Social Media ‘Luddite' Teens Don't Want Your Likes https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/style/teens-social-media.html  Topic 3: The Drones Are Coming (to 22 Select Locations Around the Country … Within Driving Distance of a Wal-Mart) https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/walmart-droneup-drone-delivery-service-launches-arizona/638950/ Wal-mart announces legitimate progress on rolling out drone delivery to customers in key metropolitan areas. The forecast is to expand to 34 stores in 23 cities by year end to reach a capacity of 1M drone deliveries. And … Utah is on the list of the next markets to launch. Could a burrito delivery be in the near future? --- Sponsor Memo: Cisco  I bet you think working with Cisco is hard. They're big, and have so much going on, and you're … smaller.    That's why there's Cisco Partner Journeys, an innovative new digital experience designed to accelerate your engagement with Cisco. Each unique journey leads you to the best tools, services, programs and portfolio offerings to help you accelerate sales, build a practice and enhance profitability. Whether you are new to Cisco or a long-time partner, Cisco has the right journey for you.   Interested? Visit https://ciscopartnerjourneys.com/ to find out more.   

Topic 1: The Bots are Coming for LinkedIn, Adding New Layers of Risk for Professionals and for Companies … but Especially for Recruiters https://thehustle.co/12122023-LinkedIn-bots/ Bots are everywhere on social media, and some platforms are doing more to combat them than others. Now that the bots are proliferating on LinkedIn, it's vital for everyone to think about the layers of threat and the corresponding hygiene on the career-centric platform. Topic 2: How does AI write fiction (and online advertisements)? “Fluent BS” https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-fluent-bs/ The term “Fluent Bullshit” was originally coined by The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/5/23493932/chatgpt-ai-generated-answers-temporarily-banned-stack-overflow-llms-dangers Topic 3: Investors Call Time On FAANG Stocks – Big Tech Not Going to Lead the Next Round of Economic Growth https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-10/investors-call-time-on-faang-stock-dominance-after-nasdaq-s-rout The iconic big tech stocks have not only dominated the conversation around the tech industry in the past decade, they have also represented the most reliable outsized sources of growth. But looking forward, industry analysts and stock market investors are indicating they do not believe these mature companies will be able to generate the dramatic growth results needed to maintain sky-high valuations. Who will fill the gap? Sponor Memo: PCMatic PC Matic — Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation. Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting. The perfect compliment to your current security stack.  No minimums and no annual contracts.  Find out more about by visiting PCMatic.com/MSP today.    

Topic 1: Should the Police have killer robots? San Francisco approves the use of robots capable of lethal force. Is this move inevitable, or are the arguments in favor of this just rare exceptions to the rule? https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/sf-police-killer-robots-would-have-explosives-not-guns-sfpd/  Topic 2: Data Volumes are Increasing at Such a Fast Pace, We Need New Words to Describe Just How Much There Is https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-11-30/new-prefixes-for-huge-and-tiny-numbers-ronna-ronto-quetta-and-quecto.html And to absolutely no one's surprise, businesses are struggling to afford the cost of managing all that data https://www.techradar.com/news/rising-data-management-costs-are-hitting-businesses-hard Data is the essential component of literally every dimension of the technology industry, and we're producing more of it every day at literally astronomical rates. So much so that we have run out of words to describe just how much there is. Science is solving that part for us. But science can't help us figure out how to pay to store / manage all of that data. Observation #1: I sure hope you are selling data storage / management solutions. Observation #2: What are the ripple implications for IT management and the services MSPs provide? Topic 3: Chatbots and Generative AI Image Systems are Getting Pretty Good … But is that a Good Thing? https://mashable.com/article/chatgpt-amazing-wrong   https://www.axios.com/2022/09/12/ai-images-ethics-dall-e-2-stable-diffusion AI systems for creating content are steadily improving in terms of technical / functional capability. But the layers of ethical questions continue to stack up. How do you know if the AI chatbot is telling the truth? Is AI art actually art? If the AI is trained on the work of other artists, who should get credit?   Sponsor Memo: Linode  Linode – a top Infrastructure as a Service provider has resources specifically for helping MSPs explore the alternative cloud. Discover this growing market: one of the best-kept secrets in building a scalable, thriving, modern Managed Service Provider business. Learn about the cloud provider landscape, improving KPIs, security, and more in Linode's free ebook, The MSP's Guide to Modern Cloud Infrastructure, available now. This resource and more at https://linode.com/mspradio  

Topic 1: The FTX Contagion Has Affected VC / PE Firms that Invest In MSP Vendors https://www.channele2e.com/news/ftx-cryptocurrency-bankruptcy-filing/ In all the noise that's surrounding the collapse of FTX and the impact on other crypto companies, news is coming out that several major MSP investors have also suffered significant losses. Initial statements indicate that the losses were not enough to threaten the survival of the investment funds, but that there will be implications for how they make investment decisions in the future. Topic 2: Is It Goodnight To Alexa (and other voice assistants)? https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-a17bdd5b-e815-4499-bd18-08cbf2114c16.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&stream=top Despite billions invested and many high hopes for a new computer interface, the products in the voice assistant category have dramatically underperformed the plans of their developers – both in terms of usage and commercial value. Is there a future for interactive voice assistants … or is this another in a long line of failed voice recognition innovations? Topic 3: Amazon Lays Off Recruiters … Could Be Planning to Replace Them With AI https://mashable.com/article/amazon-layoff-ai-tech https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-29/amazon-s-cloud-unit-expects-to-keep-expanding-hiring-in-2023 Following the announcement of the largest layoffs in Amazon's history, the company followed up with buyout offers to hundreds of recruiters, signaling the end of the season of accelerated hiring across Amazon. But yesterday at AWS Reinvent the company announced that it will continue to add staff in 2023 (specifically within the AWS division) as cloud sales continue to accelerate. So, who will do the recruiting? Turns out they are re-visiting the use of an AI recruiting system to do the work previously done by humans. Hmmmmm.   Sponsor Memo: OITVOIP Did you know about STIR/SHAKEN? If you're doing voice for your customers, you had better — the deadline was June 30. This technology is focused on reducing robocalls, and providers have to take action. Are you compliant? The team at OITVOIP has put together resources for you to learn more… or, for their customers, it's already handled. Want to learn more?  Visit https://oit.co/mspradio/ for resources to help make sure you're covered.  

Topic 1: The Federal Communications Commission has published the initial draft of its revised high-speed internet coverage maps. The old maps were census-block based. The new maps are based on more detailed information from broadband providers. With the old system, a huge census block would be marked as served even if only one household had broadband. https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/notes/2022/11/18/new-broadband-maps-are-finally-here You can examine updated maps from here: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home For an interactive map, start here and zoom in and out as desired: https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/location-summary/fixed Want to see how you can make money filling the gaps? Check out: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/federal/federal-funding   Topic 2: An Update - The Labor Situation in Technology Companies While many large tech companies are aggressively shedding employees, some are actually positioned to absorb that talent. TikTok is specifically planning to hire 3000 new engineers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/11/21/tiktok-is-one-of-the-few-tech-companies-aggressively-hiring-could-regulatory-scrutiny-impede-its-us-presence/?sh=6cfb68c06572 https://www.teamblind.com/post/Meta-CTO-uses-Blind-

Topic 1: Good News on the EV Front: Lithium Ion Batteries can be Recycled! https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/audi-redwood-ev-battery-recycling Yes … we are headed for an EV world. No … there are not nearly enough batteries or charging stations or grid capacity to handle an EV world. But in a positive sign, it turns out that the rare Earth minerals used in LIon batteries do not degrade and can be recycled into new batteries. Increase supply. Reduce pollution. Recycle all those old battery items lying around your house. Win! https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-big-battery-challenge-3-potential-alternatives-to-lithium-ion Topic 2: Nine in Ten SMBs Fear a Ransomware Attack    https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/most-smbs-fear-ransomware-attack-amid-heightened-geopolitical-tensions/   A new study from OpenText reveals that nearly 9 in 10 SMB IT security professionals fear a ransomware attack on their organization … yet most do not plan to increase cybersecurity spending. Is this a failure to communicate … or a case of intentional ignorance? --- Topic 3: Is Rude Behavior Contagious Rude behavior on the rise: https://www.axios.com/2022/11/10/rude-behavior-frontline-workers “Employees who experience rudeness at work are less satisfied with their jobs, less engaged with their work, less productive, less helpful, and less creative,” Taylor said. https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/how-rudeness-can-ruin-your-workplace Sponsor Memo: Gozynta  Do you like getting paid? Then make it easy for your customers with Gozynta Payments. Do you teach your customers not to click on links from strange domain names like mymsp.monkeypayments.com or slowbooks.com? Gozynta Payments uses your branding and domain name. No redirects. No confusion. Gozynta Mobius is trusted by over a thousand MSPs to sync financial data. Their new product Gozynta Payments is built with the same care and empathy to make the payment process easy for your customers. Gozynta is a family-owned business dedicated to making software suck less every day. Go to https://gozynta.com/payments to learn more or get started.          

Topic 1: Lessons from the Stripe Layoffs - for tech ITs, vendors, and everyone. Stripe layed off 14% of their workforce, and were very open about the reasons. We all make mistakes in periods of rapid growth and rapid decline. This stuff is hard! https://www.businessinsider.com/stripe-layoffs-memo-tech-sector-challenges-2022-11 https://www.npr.org/2022/11/14/1136659617/tech-layoffs-amazon-meta-twitter https://www.channelfutures.com/business-models/gradient-msp-layoffs-20-impacted-amid-go-to-market-model-shift Topic 2: Twitter Melting Down Twitter has typically reviewed its products for privacy problems before rolling them out to users, to avoid additional fines from the F.T.C. and remain in compliance with the settlement. But because of a rapid pace of product development under Mr. Musk, engineers could be forced to “self-certify” so that their projects meet privacy requirements… https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/technology/elon-musk-twitter-employees.html Topic 3: The Crypto Meltdown. Gaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!! (If you are an FTX investor) https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmoore/2022/11/10/what-to-make-of-this-weeks-crypto-meltdown/?sh=223282b937f8 https://www.forbes.com/sites/billybambrough/2022/11/13/jpmorgan-reveals-shock-cascade-bitcoin-price-prediction-after-stunning-ftx-meltdown/?sh=809cc6c3f66e https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2022/11/11/ether-turns-deflationary-as-amount-of-eth-burned-spikes-amid-ftx-induced-market-volatility/ Crypto for MSPs: https://youtu.be/C6hXJC0_r3o This week the proverbial $h!t hit the literal fan and the crypto market is in full-on chaos and panic mode. What? Why? How? Where do we go from here?   Sponsor: FieldEffect  MSPs are frequently at the forefront of cyber security challenges. Between changing customer expectations and the growing threat landscape, you are stretched thin. Need a helping hand? Download research firm, Aite-Novarica Group's report, sponsored by FieldEffect, and learn how offering MDR increases revenue, simplifies operations, and maximizes margins for MSPs. This independent analysis explores the growing managed detection and response (MDR) market and how MSPs can differentiate their managed security service with the right MDR solution. You'll also find insights from five MSPs who have added co-va-lence, a hybrid MDR solution, to their offerings and the positive impact it has had on business. Want to learn more? Check the link in the show notes. https://hubs.li/Q01cPMsj0 https://fieldeffect.com/msp-report/ Relax Focus Succeed: https://relaxfocussucceed.com/      

Topic 1: U.S. workers have gotten way less productive.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/10/31/productivity-down-employers-worried-recession/ No one is sure why. So we get to make up reasons!  Can this be attributed to the Quiet Quitting Phenomon? Maybe. But maybe not. (Again, we get to come up with our own theories today.) Perhaps, complexity is the enemy of productivity; thus, remote working might not give our brains enough buffering time between each tasks than say walking from the meeting hall to your cubicle would. Also, as we settle into a sort of kind not really post-pandemic world, we can surmise that the line between our work lives and home lives has become less muddled. And maybe, just maybe, this means we aren't being less productive, rather we are setting healthy work to home boundaries at the expense of a project deadline...Again, just speculating.    Topic 2: Spending for Cloud Computing in 2023 is Forecast to Grow … a Lot! https://siliconangle.com/2022/10/31/gartner-spending-public-cloud-services-will-exceed-591b-2023/ In a slight surprise, and a noticeable change of tone, Gartner forecasts that spending on cloud computing – across all 6 categories they include in the segment – will rise in 2023. Just because spending is down in some categories doesn't mean it will be down in all categories. SaaS / PaaS / IaaS / DaaS / CMaaS / BPaaS. So many awkward acronyms! Topic 3: US Banks spent over $1 Billion on Ransomware in 2021 ...that they reported! https://www.techradar.com/news/us-banks-processed-over-dollar1-billion-in-ransomware-payments-last-year  Time to head into the cloud of uncertainty!  Sponsor Memo: TimeZest  Does coordinating meetings and help desk calls frustrate you and your clients?  Wouldn't it be easier if you could automate this process and it integrated with ConnectWise Manage or Autotask?    TimeZest is schedulig automation that gives you control of your schedule and removes the frustration of calendar ping pong.  As the only solution specifically designed for MSPs, it integrates with your PSA to schedule appointments right in your workflow.  And the best part? You can try it for free. Visit https://timezest.com  to try it out today.  

Topic 1: Japan pushes for digitization  https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-japan-covid-public-d47817295a647379f69da9bb16160d13 Japan has stepped up its push to catch up on digitization by telling a reluctant public they have to sign up for digital IDs or possibly lose access to their public health insurance.  As the naming implies, the initiative is about assigning numbers to people, similar to Social Security numbers in the U.S. Many Japanese worry the information might be misused or that their personal information might be stolen. Some view the My Number effort as a violation of their right to privacy. --- Topic 2: Drone Swarms! No … really.  https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/10/24/1062039/us-navy-swarms-of-thousands-of-small-drones/?truid=&utm_source=the_download&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_term=&utm_content=10-24-2022&mc_cid=1cc458b67f&mc_eid=61a7b17087 What has been thought of until now as a sci-fi plot or a Hollywood movie trick is now an actual budget line item for the US Navy. We have seen choreographed drones in large-scale performances at the Super Bowl and the Olympics … but (as far as we know) none of those drones were carrying warheads. That's no longer a safe assumption. And the US military isn't the only country making progress on this weaponization of small-form UAV technology. --- Topic 3: (NK) Australia flags increased penalties for data breaches following major cyberattacks https://www.reuters.com/technology/australia-flags-increased-penalties-data-breaches-following-major-cyberattacks-2022-10-22/ Australia will introduce laws to parliament to increase penalties for companies subject to major data breaches, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said, after high-profile cyberattacks hit millions of Australians in recent weeks. The proposed changes would lift maximum penalties for serious or repeated privacy breaches from the current A$2.22 million ($1.4 million) to the greater of A$50 million, three times the value of the benefit obtained through the misuse of information, or 30% of turnover in the relevant period, he said. "Significant privacy breaches in recent weeks have shown existing safeguards are inadequate. It's not enough for a penalty for a major data breach to be seen as the cost of doing business," Dreyfus said. --- Sponsor Memo: Cisco  I bet you think working with Cisco is hard.  They're big, and have so much going on, and you're … smaller.    That's why there's Cisco Partner Journeys, an innovative new digital experience designed to accelerate your engagement with Cisco. Each unique journey leads you to the best tools, services, programs and portfolio offerings to help you accelerate sales, build a practice and enhance profitability. Whether you are new to Cisco or a long-time partner, Cisco has the right journey for you.   Interested? Visit https://ciscopartnerjourneys.com/ to find out more.  

Topic 1: Marketplaces — McBain is big on them, but how well do they scale down? AWS Marketplace makes it so you find everything you need in one spot. As a seller, the appeal is apprent. As a vendor, especially a small to medium business, the playing floor might be a bit crowded. https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/sourcecode/aws-cloud-marketplace-advantage Topic 2: Voice-Scanning AI Aims to Diagnose Respiratory and Mental Illness … What Could Possibly Go Wrong?  https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-6fed080c-d844-4bb4-a7cc-3a838ec2a572.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&stream=top Whereas facial recognition software is designed to use AI to recognize your image, voice-scanning AI is designed to evaluate vocal patterns and attributes that can be used in call centers or via hearing-aid style devices to identify if the speaker is struggling with depression, anxiety, asthma, COPD, etc. Advocates point to 80% accuracy (?!?) as a way to improve diagnostic success. Critics point to abuses of privacy … not to mention the bigger issues of fraud and violation of existing (limited) laws. Topic 3: Disparity in Internet Speeds Does Not Equal Differences in Internet Service Prices https://themarkup.org/still-loading/2022/10/19/dollars-to-megabits-you-may-be-paying-400-times-as-much-as-your-neighbor-for-internet-service If we're willing to look at the data with a clear lens, the quality : price of internet service around the US is nowhere near good enough … nowhere near equal … and nowhere near an accident. The analysis provided in this report by The Markup shows massive disparity in access to internet services in markets across the country. And the fact that this low level of service quality exists in the country where this technology was actually invented should make our heads explode. Clearly this is a deliberate strategy, and it isn't going to change anytime soon. What can the tech industry do to jolt the internet security provider industry to change their strategy? How can we go around them to provide quality internet service to everyone? Sponsor Memo: CyberFit Summit  This November, Miami will be the safest place on the internet. MSPs are returning to Miami Beach for the Acronis #CyberFit Summit. Not only will you hear former FBI Director Judge Louis Freeh, you'll also witness the latest advancements in Cyber Protection … DLP, EDR, Advanced management, and so much more. There's even a track dedicated to MSP marketing and business growth. The entire event will be capped off with an inspirational message from Earvin “Magic” Johnson, live and in-person. You don't want to miss it. Get all the details and register now at https://Acronis.events I'll see you there, and so will Karl.

Topic 1: Some juicy stats... https://www.zippia.com/advice/tech-industry-statistics/  The U.S. tech market accounts for 35% of the total world market. The U.S. tech industry is expected to grow by 6.7% in 2022. The U.S. tech industry employs roughly 12.2 million workers as of 2020. Check out these stats and let us know what stood out to you.  These stats open up the floor to new approaches to shake up the industry. Those currently in the industry can take these numbers as a driving force to recruit more inclusively. Topic 2: Checking in on the metaverse: Is this a thing yet? https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/11/meta-announces-the-1499-quest-pro/ https://www.platformer.news/p/metas-metaverse-turns-pro Meta hosted a big event to announce … a more expensive VR headset. And in spite of some really enthusiastic promotion, the question remains whether immersive VR or integrated AR will actually be a thing. While some industrial- and business-related use cases are emerging, the user numbers don't sound remotely impressive … suggesting that Meta Mark has work to do to convince us to volunteer to feel car sick. Topic 3: STORY 2: THOR's Day … the role & opportunity of mobile internet & power services https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-whats-next-2e64fdc0-48ff-4560-9932-40e6a3607c07.html  Natural disasters have put the fragile state of our telecommunications and internet and power systems in the spotlight. To put it kindly: there are many holes. So wireless companies and others have stepped up to provide temporary coverage & access. The question is whether this is a sufficient solution for an advanced economy … and whether there is an opportunity for location technology solution providers to step in and create a point-to-point network that can meet the needs of a population amidst increasingly frequent and devastating storms. Sponsor Memo: Huntress hack_it returns this Nov. with hack_it 2022. It's a hands on, interactive cybersecurity training designed to help you thin like a hacker and provide the security training you can use today to level up your own defenses. Join Huntress Co-founder and CEO Kyle Hanslovan, Huntress threat researches, and soon to be announced special guests for two and a half days of cybersecrutiy education for the community, by the community. Content over three days, including an optional lab and it's all virtual.  Attend from your desk, couch, swing set, or wherever you feel most comfortable.  Sign up at https://hack-it.com  

Topic 1: The Open Internet as We Know It Dodged an Existential Bullet Last Week https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2022-09-29-ITU-SG-elected-Doreen-Bogdan-Martin.aspx https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2022/08/12/the-most-important-election-you-never-heard-of/ In an election for the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), members chose Doreen Bogdan-Martin from the United States – the first-ever woman to hold the post. But that is not the reason this election was monumentally important: it was literally a showdown between an open internet and an authoritarian-controlled internet. And almost every single human on Earth didn't know it even happened … or what the consequences may have been. Consider us lucky. Topic 2: Google Shuts Down Stadia Online Gaming Service … Does Google Have an Innovation Problem? https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-login-555c72e1-380a-4a69-affe-e8260ae5734e.html Google announced it's shutting down the 3-year old Stadia gaming service … the latest in a long line of big technical breakthroughs that Google has failed to turn into big business successes. Why did this (seemingly really cool) new service not succeed? And does this hint at a bigger issue about Google's ability to grow? Or … about the ability of tech giants in general to grow at a rate that is “enough” for their thirsty shareholders? Topic 3: Amazon Wants to Cocoon You With ‘Ambient Intelligence' The company's new smart gadget uses radar to track your breathing while you sleep. It's part of Amazon's plan to weave its products invisibly into your life. Meet “Halo Rise” - Because they couldn't come up with a creepier name. Consider it the opposite of the metaverse.  https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-wants-to-cocoon-you-with-ambient-intelligence/    Sponsor Memo: IT Service Provider University IT Service Provider University helps you improve the business side of your business. We launched IT Service Provider University in 2013 and today we offer more than twenty courses on every aspect of running your consulting business.  IT Service Provider University provides training and pathways to certification for individual IT Service Providers as well as offering company-level certifications. Pathways Include: Management, Technician, Sales/Marketing, Service Manager, Front Office. Learn more about professional classes and certifications at https://ITSPU.com      

Topic 1: Public Cameras, Social Media, Art, and Privacy concerns Great article on how to use publicly-available surveillance systems and open source facial recognition to mash up Instagram selfies with Earthcam video.  Artist shows all the “behind the scenes” activities that go into professional selfies - all while violating copyrights and GDPR on a grand scale. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/technology/surveillance-footage-instagram.html Topic 2: Machine translation - what if the translation misses subtlety?   In our global society, we are starting to lean heavily on these online translating tools. Because of this, we are now at a place where machine translation is reasonably advanced…“Reasonably” being the operative word.  So what happens when we rely on machine accuracy in times of life and death? What are the real human implications of being lost in translation?  https://slate.com/technology/2022/09/machine-translation-accuracy-government-danger.html?mc_cid=b9a417312e&mc_eid=70cbbe1cdc   Topic 3: Darth no more? Is an AI Darth Vader still a valid Darth Vader? To immortalize one's voice–any ethics concerns here? And by doing so, will there be any room for new talent? Will we continue to recycle a pool of posthumous talent? How far will we go with synthesizing a living, breathing human?  https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/24/23370097/darth-vader-james-earl-jones-obi-wan-kenobi-star-wars-ai-disney-lucasfilm Sponsor Memo: Nodeware Know about Nodeware? Nodeware is an in-demand and real-time cybersecurity solution that helps businesses reduce their risk of ransomware or other cyber attacks —all with breakthrough simplicity and affordability. With truly continuous vulnerability scanning, even during normal business hours, you'll get real-time alerts of network access & new found risks, with easy and insightful reports to take action on and report to your customers. Want to learn more? Visit https://nodeware.com/partners to find out more

Topic 1: NANC and KRUZ ETFs - Outperforming the Market  Now you too can get away with insider trading. These new Exchange Traded Funds track the performance of members of Congress.  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-15/etfs-that-track-stock-trades-of-us-congress-members-planned Topic 2: US Military on social media to engage in psychological operations.  What's new this time?  https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/09/19/pentagon-psychological-operations-facebook-twitter/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/19/23360688/pentagon-review-military-influence-operations-social-media Topic 3: Metaverse-as-a-Service Nvidia is counting on metaverse FOMO to drive enterprises to its Omniverse-as-a-service platform. Think subscription-based digital twins. Nvidia brings you a new service category. As the Register reports: You didn't ask for it, but here it is. https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/20/nvidia_omniverse_cloud_gtc/   Sponsor Memo: NSITSP Are you a professional member of the National Society of IT Service Providers? If you're within the sound of my voice, you should be! The NSITSP is dedicated to promoting professionalism in all IT services, and improving our industry's reputation to your clients, the government, and the media. Our industry faces challenges from ransomware, the insurance industry, government regulators, and bad actors from within.  Join the NSITSP and help us improve our industry and our reputation. Visit https://NSITSP.org and join today. :-)

Topic 1: Could it actually be possible that the SolarWinds hack was “good” for their business? https://www.scmagazine.com/feature/incident-response/why-solarwinds-just-may-be-one-of-the-most-secure-software-companies-in-the-tech-universe No one would argue that being the victim of “the largest and most damaging security breach in US history” is a good thing. But as a result of the hack, SolarWinds took unprecedented steps to fundamentally reengineer their approach to security and dev-ops … and they are telling a surprisingly compelling story about how this makes them the most secure system in the industry. What's more, it seems like customers are listening … and buying. Do you buy it? Topic 2: Headline: Twitter is bad at data security and privacy. Conclusion: No duh. https://www.protocol.com/policy/mudge-twitter-whistleblower-hearing The Twitter whistleblower testified in congress yesterday … and he made the “shocking” accusation that Twitter doesn't have (and never has had) sufficient control systems for data protection. Thank you, Captain Obvious. This brings up a few questions: 1) does any social media company have sufficient data controls (no); 2) is there any appetite to make social media companies accountable for actual privacy / security (no); and 3) why does our society accept the presence of a tech platform that is “too big to control” and not simply turn it off if it can't be made secure? Topic 3: Because Security needs another piece of jargon: Beware Sock Puppet phishing https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-now-use-sock-puppets-for-more-realistic-phishing-attacks/ Or would you rather call the attack 'multi-persona impersonation' (MPI)? That's the name used by researchers at Proofpoint. Basically, this is an orchestrated attack where the bad guys control multiple email accounts and email back and forth with the target in the middle of the cc: string. The idea is to provide (fake) social proof.    Sponsor Memo: SBTTC This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at https://www.SmallBizThoughts.org Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year. We are totally dedicated to YOUR success.  Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at https://www.SmallBizThoughts.org :-)    

Topic 1: Any surprises in the research? SMBs need MSPs “A new survey of over 500 IT decision makers at small and medium businesses, from threat detection and response specialist Vade, shows 69 percent say a serious breach had bypassed their current email security solution. It's perhaps not surprising then that SMBs are increasingly likely to turn to managed service providers, with 96 percent of organizations either currently outsourcing at least some of their needs to MSPs or planning to do so in the future.”  See https://betanews.com/2022/09/08/smbs-turn-to-msps-to-improve-cybersecurity/ Topic 2: California passes well-intentioned “Age-Appropriate Design Code Act” ...and then makes it unenforceable  because of absurd fines. With fines at $7,500 per affected student, the only options are 1) Go out of business, or 2) Use every penny you have to fight enforcement of the law. https://www.wired.com/story/california-aadc-kids-privacy-age-checks/  https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/california-s-landmark-age-appropriate-3001597/ Topic 3: Police departments subscribe to a geolocation database that lets them bypass warrants to track mobile devices. The database “Fog Reveal” is available by subscription. For less than $10,000/year, law enforcement agencies can search historical records from 250 million mobile devices. This gives them the power to create "patterns of life" analysis on individuals. The cell phone tracking tool allows them to track GPS movements going back months. Very often, this is done without warrants. https://apnews.com/article/technology-police-government-surveillance-d395409ef5a8c6c3f6cdab5b1d0e27ef ...and don't forget www.Data.gov  - over 335,000 government databases open to the public.   Sponsor: Nodeware Know about Nodeware?  Nodeware is an in-demand and real-time cybersecurity solution that helps businesses reduce their risk of ransomware or other cyber attacks —all with breakthrough simplicity and affordability. With truly continuous vulnerability scanning, even during normal business hours, you'll get real-time alerts of network access & new found risks, with easy and insightful reports to take action on and report to your customers. Want to learn more? Visit https://nodeware.com/partners to find out more.    

Welcome to Episode 180 of the Killing Podcast with special guest host Nadia Karatsoreos! Nadia has assisted channel partners and customers in building their businesses by adopting best practices and resources that are proven to accelerate success and deliver an exceptional experience to the businesses they serve. A results-oriented professional who puts partners first, Nadia has many years of experience in business development, community and channel relations. Her career in the MSP space started with Level Platforms in 2010 and since then she has held various roles at other vendors like GFI, Datto, NetApp and now Malwarebytes.  She has also served on Executive Councils for CompTIA's Managed Services, Cloud and Future Leaders Communities. Nadia has been recognized by CRN as one of the Top Women of the Channel for multiple years (including 2022) and one of the Top 100 People You Don't Know but Should in 2016. Topic 1: Do we need an AI “Accountability” board? “Governments should protect residents from the harms of artificial intelligence and provide means of redress, according to researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. In a white paper from Berkeley's Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, the researchers said that anyone who has been harmed or damaged from the deployment of AI should have the right to complain to an agency or department that has oversight of that AI-driven system or be able to take legal action." https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2022/08/make-ai-accountable-adding-redress-tools-researchers-say/376119/ https://cltc.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AIs_Redress_Problem.pdf Topic 2: Quietly Quitting - The Hot New Fad - without an agreed-upon definition Some articles describe Quietly Quitting as taking back work/life balance. Other describe it as doing the bare minimum. We speculate on what it is, and what it might mean. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/quiet-quitting-workplace-trend-just-120000048.html Is QQ a natural consequence of employers' push to get employees back in the office at any cost? https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-rips-062715020.html?guccounter=1 The real question is: can you sincerely create engagement and community without being in the same office location 5 days a week? (Short answer: yes.)  Topic 3: Do you have the right to repair . . . your tractor? Wired magazine discusses “jailbreaking” your John Deere. Seriously: This will affect the larger right to repair debate. https://www.wired.com/story/gadget-lab-podcast-562/ Sponsor Memo: Linode Linode – a top Infrastructure as a Service provider has resources specifically for helping MSPs explore the alternative cloud. Discover this growing market: one of the best-kept secrets in building a scalable, thriving, modern Managed Service Provider business. Learn about the cloud provider landscape, improving KPIs, security, and more in Linode's free ebook, The MSP's Guide to Modern Cloud Infrastructure, available now. This resource and more at http://linode.com/mspradio    

Topic 1: Reverse mentoring in the technology industry increases understanding and opens opportunities for both sides of the mentor relationship https://blog.hubspot.com/the-hustle/reverse-mentoring Everyone knows a person of “a certain age” who is not as connected to or fluent with a new technology … even in the IT channel. And ironically, those people are much more likely to be senior executives in the business of IT. How will those highly experienced update their tech knowledge and bring new strategies to leveraging tech for business and for diversity in the industry? Talk to a youth. See also: https://relaxfocussucceed.com/2022/06/millennials-and-gen-x-are-not-a-problem-to-be-dealt-with/ Topic 2: Apprenticeships are going into industries beyond the trades … are reinforcements on the way? Or are companies still insisting on only hiring “the best of the best” in tech roles? https://www.axios.com/2022/08/22/apprenticeships It's well known that there are massive shortages of cybersecurity workers … at the same time as cyber threats are are escalating. How can the industry catch up? Certainly not by insisting on advanced credentials for candidates who need to do jobs that focus on mass quantity cyber threats. BTW: there's a big difference between an “internship” and an “apprenticeship.” https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/protocol-workplace/pwc-pulse-survey?rebelltitem=5#rebelltitem5 Companies are shifting from rapid hiring to layoffs … while still indicating they intend to hire. It's a natural impulse to continuously improve the mix of talent in your workforce, but will this strategy of “only the best” ever catch up with cybersecurity needs? Topic 3: Amazon is leaning into the healthcare industry … with some fairly predictable performance so far https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/08/19/amazon-care-patient-safety-concerns/ The notion of a business model is fairly straightforward: what you do + who you do it for x how you do it = how you make money. Not too many variables, and every time someone says they're going to use technology to revolutionize or disrupt an industry, what they really mean is that they will replace human labor with technology for one of the business model elements. To absolutely no one's surprise, Amazon's efforts to disrupt the healthcare industry are leading to less human involvement in healthcare delivery. Is that a good thing? Sponsor Memo: Gozynta Do you like getting paid? Then make it easy for your customers with Gozynta Payments. Do you teach your customers not to click on links from strange domain names like mymsp.monkeypayments.com or slowbooks.com? Gozynta Payments uses your branding and domain name. No redirects. No confusion. Gozynta Mobius is trusted by over a thousand MSPs to sync financial data. Their new product Gozynta Payments is built with the same care and empathy to make the payment process easy for your customers.

Topic 1: It's time for cybersecurity to focus on the fundamentals instead of the “glory” case https://www.pcmag.com/news/ex-cisa-chiefs-advice-at-black-hat-make-security-valuable-and-attacks-costly In a world where we are addicted to having every possible device connected to the internet, the attack surface for cybersecurity threats gets bigger every day. But despite the dire prognosis for current cybersecurity capabilities, it can indeed get better, says former CISA head in Black Hat keynote. Topic 2: Why Can't Tech Fix Its Gender Problem? https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/08/11/1056917/tech-fix-gender-problem/ Everyone can admit it: the tech industry has a massive problem with gender equity. But it's one thing to acknowledge the problem, and another to actually do something about it. The questions that matter are: why does the problem exist…and what can we do to fix it? Hint: it's always about the money. Topic 3: Will Amazon Map the Inside of Your House? https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-irobot-roomba-acquisition-data-privacy/  “AFTER DECADES OF creating war machines and home cleaning appliances, iRobot agreed to be acquired by Amazon for $1.7 billion, according to a joint statement by the two companies. If the deal goes through, it would give Amazon access to yet another wellspring of personal data: interior maps of Roomba owners' homes.” - Wired Magazine Sponsor Memo: Huntress In the fight against today's cybercriminals, we are much stronger as a community. That's why Huntress is proud to launch the Huntress Neighborhood Watch Program: a collection of resources designed to help elevate the broader security community. To kick off the Neighborhood Watch Program, Huntress is offering "internal use" licenses. These licenses will be available to the entire MSP community—regardless of if you are a Huntress partner or not—and will give you unrestricted access to the Huntress Managed Security Platform and their team of 24/7 threat hunters. Harden your defenses, protect your own backyard, and better serve your customers by joining the Neighborhood Watch Program. Join the neighborhood or learn more at http://huntress.com/neighborhood

Topic 1: Possible Topic (KP) - Apple hires Lamborghini's chief of chassis development for its Car team https://www.arenaev.com/lamborghini_chief_of_chassis_development_joins_the_apple_car_team-news-535.php Actual topic: Have we lost the distinction between industries? Can anyone get into the car business? After all, Amazon and Google want to get into it. Recall: General Dynamics and General Electric were both into pretty much any industry where they could make money. Are the “giants” of today just the latest generation of mega conglomerates? And what does that mean for our economy going forward? How does the small business make the most of this? Topic 2: Women are better than men when it comes to self-driving cars Women better in driverless cars than men: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/europe/women-better-in-driverless-cars-than-men-20220731-p5b5zv.html When the need arises to take control, women have faster reflexes, better reactions, and are better at keeping the vehicle under control. Future SD cars may need to consider operator sex when handing over control. Topic 3: The Cloud Native Label  Vendors keep misusing the “cloud native” label. Customers may not care. We keep applying “cloud native” to things like Kubernetes that are expressly not native to the cloud. Does it matter? https://www.techrepublic.com/article/vendors-misusing-cloud-native-label/ Sponsor Memo: PC Matic  PC Matic — Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation. Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting. The perfect compliment to your current security stack.  No minimums and no annual contracts. Find out more about by visiting PCMatic.com/MSP today.

Topic 1: The Education Market  We have all come across a job ad looking to fill an entry level position with a PhD level education. We have also witness countless college drop outs excel in high-skill, high paying positions. So what do certifications achieve if not job security?  Topic 2: Knowledge, Tagging, Researching, and Cross Referencing In this everchanging industry companies are always looking forward. And they are propelled onward by a culture and data base to let them know what they have done and can't do and are suppose to do. Yep, it comes down to that ole cliche: Knowledge is power.  Topic 3: The Opportunities Around The Metaverse  The futurists are here. (Which also makes the presentist. Theseus's ship or something, you know.) But it doesn't mean the ideas presented by them have caught up. The Metaverse-is it here yet? How can we test the viability of something that isn't yet tangible? What is the metaverse forecast? And will it open up doors to new, unthinkable opportunities? Sponsor Memo: Linode   Linode – a top Infrastructure as a Service provider has resources specifically for helping MSPs explore the alternative cloud. Discover this growing market: one of the best-kept secrets in building a scalable, thriving, modern Managed Service Provider business.    Learn about the cloud provider landscape, improving KPIs, security, and more in Linode's free ebook, The MSP's Guide to Modern Cloud Infrastructure, available now. This resource and more at linode.com/mspradio.  

Topic 1: The Education Market  We have all come across a job ad looking to fill an entry level position with a PhD level education. We have also witness countless college drop outs excel in high-skill, high paying positions. So what do certifications achieve if not job security?  Topic 2: Knowledge, Tagging, Researching, and Cross Referencing In this everchanging industry companies are always looking forward. And they are propelled onward by a culture and data base to let them know what they have done and can't do and are suppose to do. Yep, it comes down to that ole cliche: Knowledge is power.  Topic 3: The Opportunities Around The Metaverse  The futurists are here. (Which also makes the presentist. Theseus's ship or something, you know.) But it doesn't mean the ideas presented by them have caught up. The Metaverse-is it here yet? How can we test the viability of something that isn't yet tangible? What is the metaverse forecast? And will it open up doors to new, unthinkable opportunities? Sponsor Memo: Linode   Linode – a top Infrastructure as a Service provider has resources specifically for helping MSPs explore the alternative cloud. Discover this growing market: one of the best-kept secrets in building a scalable, thriving, modern Managed Service Provider business.    Learn about the cloud provider landscape, improving KPIs, security, and more in Linode's free ebook, The MSP's Guide to Modern Cloud Infrastructure, available now. This resource and more at linode.com/mspradio.  

Topic 1: An Update Discussion on All Things Supply Chain--Is it getting any better? https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/07/23/chip-shortage-detroit-manufacturing/ Ongoing supply chain issues / chip shortages have caused persistent delays in the auto industry … among other impacts. The question after 2 ½ years of disruption is whether the IT supply chain is any more healthy and whether industries have learned to adapt to the new levels of uncertainty and supply. https://mailchi.mp/protocol/why-your-supply-chain-is-breaking?e=d30f866e34 Modernizing the supply chain is an existential priority for our customers … and for our own businesses. If we can't trust the availability of products or forecast the timing of shipments, how can we maintain credibility with our customers? Also … this would be a terrific business opportunity for a systems-thinking solution provider. Sounds like a new focus area for MSPs! https://seths.blog/2022/07/embracing-constraints-2/ It's time for the IT channel to re-think how we design systems and solutions for our customers: if the chip supply isn't getting any better, simply re-selling the latest vendor product isn't going to solve your customers' needs any time soon. So what are you going to do about it? Topic 2: Bill to Boost Domestic Semi-conductor Production Recently, the senate voted on a bill that would increase domestic semiconductor production--the goal being to strengthen the American economy and to possible out-compete China.  We hope to proceed successfully! ...And hopefully with caution.  https://www.nextgov.com/technology-news/2022/07/bill-boost-domestic-semiconductor-production-passes-key-senate-hurdle/374986/ Topic 3: TECH JOURNALISM'S ACCESSIBILITY PROBLEM “Everyone, that is, except accessibility-minded writers like Steven Aquino. Aquino, who is disabled, finds laptop keyboards difficult to use, due both to the fine motor skills required to perform the shortcuts and to the cognitive load required to remember them. The touch bar allows him to access in one tap features that would otherwise require multiple — everything from sending emails to selecting emojis.” https://www.theverge.com/23205223/tech-journalism-accessibility-assistive-coverage There's also a browser extension called Axe Dev Tools: https://wave.webaim.org/ https://pagespeed.web.dev/ https://www.learnui.design/tools/accessible-color-generator.html     Sponsor Memo OITVOIP Did you know about STIR/SHAKEN?  If you're doing voice for your customers, you had better — the deadline was June 30. This technology is focused on reducing robocalls, and providers have to take action. Are you compliant? The team at OITVOIP has put together resources for you to learn more…or, for their customers, it's already handled. Want to learn more? Visit oit.co/mspradio/ for resources to help make sure you're covered.     :-)

Topic 1: Sony's racing AI destroyed its human competitors by being nice (and fast) https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/07/19/1056176/sonys-racing-ai-destroyed-its-human-competitors-by-being-nice-and-fast/ Etiquette and risk analysis is the secret success! This perhaps suggest that talent and skill are not the only key factor to progress...and maybe not even the defining factor. Topic 2: The Crypto Crash … Lessons from a Previous Era of Technology Crash Economics https://www.protocol.com/fintech/dot-com-bubble-crypto-crash The parallels between today's crypto winter and the technology crash of 20 years ago are multiple … with some vital differences. What lessons can be drawn from past experience to help the industry survive the lean times? And what do you believe the next “real” phase of practical applications for crypto will be? Topic 3: What Part of the Tech Industry Grows During a Recession? Domain Name Registration! https://www.protocol.com/godaddy-paul-nicks-domains Data from GoDaddy shows a strong correlation between economic downturns and an increase in the number of new domains registered. In simple terms, layoffs lead to entrepreneurial startup momentum. But that's not the only force driving the online presence market … and the value of existing “good” domain names is rising. (Another killer business opportunity for Karl, who owns many domain names.) Sponsor Memo: FieldEffect  MSPs are frequently at the forefront of cyber security challenges. Between changing customer expectations and the growing threat landscape, you are stretched thin.  Need a helping hand? Download research sponsored by FieldEffect, and learn how offering MDR increases revenue, simplifies operations, and maximizes margins for MSPs. This independent analysis explores the growing managed detection and response (MDR) market and how MSPs can differentiate their managed security service with the right MDR solution. You'll also find insights from five MSPs who have added co-va-lence, a hybrid MDR solution, to their offerings and the positive impact it has had on business. Want to learn more? Check the link in the show notes. :-)  

Topic 1: EU Passes DSA & DMA Legislation to Increase Regulation of US Tech Giants https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-lawmakers-pass-landmark-tech-rules-enforcement-worry-2022-07-05/ New legislation in Europe is designed to address a gap in GDPR that left larger tech companies unregulated by providing specific rules and significant consequences for platforms that do not do enough to moderate illegal content or allow fair competition.   Topic 2:  The Way Forward for Cybersecurity Progress is to Begin at the Entry Level https://www.protocol.com/enterprise/cybersecurity-talent-gap-diversity-hiring Cybersecurity is a massive challenge, and it's getting more complex each day. As a result, the approach to solving the problem has become a focus on stealing away existing senior-level experts to solve the big challenges. But that approach does nothing to address the huge gaps in available people with relevant cybersecurity skills. There needs to be a shift to focus on the entry level to build a sufficient industry bench of talent.   Topic 3:  It's Hot Out There … and it Is Getting Hotter for Data Centers https://www.protocol.com/climate/drought-data-centers-tracking-water Data center services are a hot topic across the IT industry as customers increasingly move to public and private hosted infrastructure solutions. But data centers are also literally hot … and they require massive amounts of energy and water to keep the machines from melting. Until now, water usage in data center operations have been mostly secret, but this trend isn't going to survive as the temperature rises … and that means cloud operators need to think of a plan to address this in practice and in public relations. See also the heroes in Las Vegas https://www.cbsnews.com/news/las-vegas-water-conservation-grass/ 26% reduction in water usage since 2002 while adding 750,000 in population.     Sponsor Memo: Cisco Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program? Focused on helping partners combine managed services expertise and service creation with innovative Cisco technology and proven go-to-market resources, there's a program option for you. With provider pricing, MDF, and marketing resources coupled with Cisco's leading technologies including Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more with the link right in the show notes.   https://lnkd.in/gsydMya Keywords / tags :-)

Topic 1: Is there value in paying these volunteers, or more value in not paying them? Online moderators' contributions to open forum platform Reddit are estimated to be worth 3.4 million dollars in a given year. That accounts to roughly 3% of revenue Reddit generated through ads alone in 2019. In other words, you can argue there is room in the budget to compensate online moderators.  But contributing to a community/activity you are passionate drives people to participate beyond a monetary value so is it really necessary?  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/technology/online-moderators-compensation.html   Topic 2:  Russia has always been recognized as a haven for hackers.  It is not recognized as such because of its superior encryption, ingenius malware, or anything like that; Rather, it reigns number one by fear alone.  It has been instilled in us that Russia is the big bad of the cyberspace. The drive to fight back has always been overshadowed by the fear that doing so might open up a Pandora's box of Russian retaliation.  However, as hacktivists and criminals become major players in the conflict in Ukraine, we might be able to gain some leverage in the near future.  It would mean taking a huge step towards chaos but sometimes things need to get worse in order to get better.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/05/01/russia-cyber-attacks-hacking/   Topic 3: Yandex, the perfect Russian tech company, falls on hard times. Yandex is what can be recognized as the "Google of Russia." They own 60% of search in Russia...Plus taxi apps, emails, robot food delivery, and more. But now, the Kremlin has forced them to filter all of its content and create and distribute pro-government media. This has led to a loss of over 2,500 employees and a devastating blow to the company's reputation. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/06/world/europe/ukraine-russia-yandex-google.html Sponsor Memo: PC Matic Endpoint Security built on a zero trust/default deny foundation. Finally - a light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting. The perfect compliment to your current security stack. No minimums and no annual contracts. Find out more about by visiting PCMatic.com/MSP today.

Episode 171 - Remote Deepfakes, Roe v. Wade: Data Privacy, G7 funds Cybersecurity     Topic 1: “More” people are using Deep Fakes to apply for remote tech jobs. File under, “you thought the world couldn't get any weirder.”...   The employment crisis has borned a new adversary: Deepfake remote workers. Thankfully, their sole intent isn't to steal your job. Sort of. While these deepfake applicants are actively participating in the employment process, the function of the deepfake is to phish data where it otherwise could not. This includes, job interviews, resume data, job questions, etc.  That said, as more information is gathered via the onboarding process, the easier it becomes to synthesize a perfect candidate. And if hired, this would mean access to sensitive company data.  And considering heightened labor shortages, deepfakes may have the same hiring potential as anyone else in the pool.  People Are Using Deepfakes to Apply for Remote Tech Jobs: https://www.businessinsider.com/people-applying-remote-tech-jobs-using-deepfakes-fbi-2022-6   Topic 2: Roe v Wade: Law change implications on data privacy https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/25/23181689/online-abortion-information-ban-roe-wade-section-230-first-amendment What does overturning Roe Vs. Wade mean for privacy and data ownership law surrounding menstrual cycle tracking apps? And does HIPAA protect you as an individual or does it protect the company that owns your medical information? We discuss the legal protection or lack thereof surrounding the new implications of Roe V. Wade in the digital landscape.    Topic 3: G7 funding cybersecurity . . . and setting the U.S. as the standard-bearer.  We're the good guys, right? So we should obviously write the rules. However, if we continue to "cut-off" those within the realm of what we as westerns deem as the good guys, we might create an even badder....well, bad guy.  Key State Official Warns of ‘Peril' as US Pursues Cybersecurity Goals at G7 - Nextgov: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/06/key-state-official-warns-peril-us-pursues-cybersecurity-goals-g7/368664 See also: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/28/fact-sheet-united-states-and-60-global-partners-launch-declaration-for-the-future-of-the-internet/  Sponsor Memo: Acronis Are you still relying on a frustrating patchwork of legacy solutions? Modernize your cybersecurity and data protection with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. It's a single solution that combines backup, anti-malware, and endpoint protection management. As an MSP, you can easily improve clients' security posture, eliminate complexity, and generate more recurring revenue. Learn more about Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud at Acronis.com. Keywords / tags :-)

Topic 1: 4D Time Crystals created by Google Quantum Computing. We've mentioned 4D printing, which involves 3D printing with materials that then change over time. Now 4D Time Crystals designed by Google Quantum Computer. Herein we bring you the definition of a quantum computer, along with an advancement in science brought about by said quantum computer. Let the arguments begin, but it looks like we've discovered a new phase of matter in physics. Who cares? Well, we've actually entered the era in which quantum computers are used for truly amazing advances at a reasonable price. The 4D crystals may bust open all kinds of new advancements in manufacturing and other areas. And our exponential expansion of technology continues. We'll see how long before this results in changes we have to manage back in the “real” world. From DW News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfSbC2Y0WPo - What are Time Crystals? From Physics Girl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieDIpgso4no - a friendlier explanation.   Topic 2: Microsoft rolls out “Responsible AI” framework and resources As AI becomes increasingly commercially accessible, mainstays in technology finally begin to address the need for an ethical framework. For Microsoft, this means the release of their "Responsible AI".  Primary Responsible AI page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/responsible-ai?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr6 The Responsible AI Standard: https://aka.ms/RAIStandardPDF See also the extensive “Transparency Notes” on Azure, connected spaces, OCR, vision, speech, etc. Responsible AI principles include Fairness, Reliability & Safety, Privacy & Security, Inclusiveness, Transparency, and Accountability. See: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/ai/our-approach?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr5  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/21/technology/microsoft-facial-recognition.html?mc_cid=9ae5d267e1&mc_eid=70cbbe1cdc   Topic 3: Google is paying Wikipedia for greater access to their information This is great news for Wikipedia. But with monopolization of information, can we successfully buy into the notion that “the crowd” is smarter than any one person? https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/22/23178245/google-paying-wikimedia-foundation-information  Sponsor Memo: Aite-Novarica Group MSPs are frequently at the forefront of cyber security challenges. Between changing customer expectations and the growing threat landscape, you are stretched thin.  need a helping hand? Download research firm, Aite-Novarica Group's report, sponsored by FieldEffect, and learn how offering MDR increases revenue, simplifies operations, and maximizes margins for MSPs. This independent analysis explores the growing managed detection and response (MDR) market and how MSPs can differentiate their managed security service with the right MDR solution. You'll also find insights from five MSPs who have added co-va-lence, a hybrid MDR solution, to their offerings and the positive impact it has had on business.   Want to learn more? Check the link in the show notes.   :-)

Topic 1: Sentient AI?   Is it real? Should you lose your job over it?    For starters, violating an NDA and whistleblowing are vastly different reasons to be fired.    Besides, this so-called sentient AI could easily just be a complex game of 20 questions; pattern matching at it's best. That said, this freaked-out-ness might be a good indicator that we are getting too close to comfort.   https://www.wired.com/story/lamda-sentient-ai-bias-google-blake-lemoine/        Topic 2: Will privacy legislation happen?   The internet was made for sharing data. Sooner or later, that 140 characters or less post about that weird thing your boss does with his hands would be inevitable! However, as individuals, we cherish our privacy and are entitled to at least an elective form of privacy.     I mean, sharing your boss's quirks online is far from sharing your social security number or the name of your first born...Besides, he's a cool guy once you look pass his jazz hands.    Additionally, enforcement of privacy laws are practical but sometimes that extra step is damning for commerce.    https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/policy/federal-privacy-law-introduced?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1       Topic 3:  Digital Twins   A pop quiz for all you die hard Killing It listeners: "What is a digital twin?"   That's right, the digital twin has grown lungs and is making its way into the collective consciousness after its ten year stint as a dinner table tall tale.    An impending existence adjacent to the metaverse, this digital representation shifts and grows with its physical world counterpart; kind of like your weird baby cousin who decides to parrot your every word and move, it is constantly growing and learning...   https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61742884           Sponsor Memo: AgileBlue    AgileBlue is a 24/7 SOC, XDR and SOAR providing managed breach protection including monitoring, detection, and automated response to cloud, networks, and endpoints.   Helping MSPs build their cyber business while increasing gross margins, ARR and stickiness.   AgileBlue's partner program engages, enables, supports, and rewards your business growth with a white-labeled security dashboard, pooled pricing, marketing collateral, and purpose-built sales content. A 24/7 extension of your team, learn more at agileblue.com      :-)  

Topic 1: What does tech company even mean?   RoW is a good resource to better gauge who can call themselves a tech company. We might want to reframe this seemingly exclusive title. What is the criteria a company must meet to be able to slap this title on a business card? https://restofworld.org/2022/newsletter-latin-america-tech-company/       Topic 2: Do we think subscription / consumption model is souring? The ideal business model is evershifting. But the supscription based and reoccuring model is exploding. With our indiviudalistic society, people want to exercise their right to choose...So as long as you are focused on customer success, it's more than likely said choice would be in your favor.  https://www.businessinsider.com/consumption-based-pricing-snowflake-cloud-companies-risky-market-downturn-2022-5     Topic 3: Trackers are working - a bit of follow-up on the Wired story. Crypto has moved from the “anonymous” nirvana to a perfect paper trail. Well, bitcoin trail. Historic sanctions against Russia-based cryptocurrency exchanges have had a desired effect, but robust enforcement of laws to counter money laundering internationally is needed to really thwart ransomware perpetrators, according to witnesses testifying before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.   https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/06/trackers-say-sanctions-against-crypto-exchanges-are-working-ransomware-fight/367879/ Dave's interview - business of tech -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hXJC0_r3o Sponsor Memo: SBTTC his podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. Check us out at www.SmallBizThoughts.org. Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start. Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls. The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year. We are totally dedicated to YOUR success.  Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at www.SmallBizThoughts.org. :-)

Topic 1:  Update on that Apple Self-Repair Kit for iPhone Screen The basic program includes two large Pelican cases full of equipment and tools, which you rent for $49/week plus a $1,300 deposit. Then the repair kit is about $10 cheaper than taking your phone to the Apple store for the service. At this point, the self-repair program appears to meet enough requirements that you can check the box and say there IS a self-repair option. But it is not the simple, elegant “Apple” experience you might have assumed you would have. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/technology/personaltech/apple-repair-program-iphone.html One of many videos you can find:  https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/04/apple-self-repair-program-hands-on/   Topic 2: “Digital Nomad” Visas Are Becoming Quite Competitive 30 Best Digital NOMAD VISA and Residency Programs for Remote Workers in 2022 https://www.travelinglifestyle.net/countries-offering-digital-nomad-visas-and-residency/ How “Digital Nomad” Visas Can Boost Local Economies https://hbr.org/2022/05/how-digital-nomad-visas-can-boost-local-economies  This article includes a great summary graphic.   Topic 3: Techies reject worker surveillance  About half of tech employees would jump ship rather than have their productivity monitored via audio/video recording, keystroke tracking or similar methods, according to a Morning Consult poll shared exclusively with Axios' Ina Fried. Why it matters: Employers are experimenting with new, often controversial ways of keeping tabs on an increasingly remote workforce. By the numbers: More than half of tech workers wouldn't take a new job at a company that surveils its employees, the survey found. About 3 in 5 tech workers who are currently working either partially or entirely remotely said they have no interest in returning to the office full time. About 3 in 5 tech workers also said they would be open to using virtual reality for training and professional development. https://www.axios.com/2022/05/31/tech-workers-quit-employer-recorded-surveillance     Vendor Memo: Field Effect  When it comes to delivering cyber security services to your clients, there's a lot to consider – and even more at stake. Firewalls and antivirus don't provide enough protection anymore and adding more tools to an already complex tech stack is expensive and difficult to manage. The Field Effect Partner Momentum Program, together with their award-winning security portfolio, solve these issues by making it easier for MSPs to: -Deliver complete cyber security protection; -Unlock new revenue streams; -Simplify operations; -And stand out from the competition. Learn more and connect with the Field Effect team today by visiting: fieldeffect.com/MSPRadio

Topic 1:  Shredding the Myth of Anonymity in Bitcoin    Wired recently published a long, detailed story of how law enforcement agencies around the world collaborated to bring down the largest child abuse sex network in history. One key element in this take-down is the “trick” of turning bitcoin from an anonymous tool into a perfect record of evidence. This story truly is the modern equivalent of the Al Capone story. Once agents have access to a few crypto wallets, they can then use the public Bitcoin blockchain data to identify every transaction, and every buyer or seller. All of this data is unique, unalterable, and publicly accessible. A few key points:  Bitcoin has been used extensively by criminals on the promise that it's anonymous and untraceable. Bitcoin exchanges are “permanent, unchangeable, and entirely public” in nature. Once one Bitcoin transaction is connected to a specific legitimate account, an entire web of related transactions can be built. https://www.wired.com/story/tracers-in-the-dark-welcome-to-video-crypto-anonymity-myth/ Somewhat related story: Man gets life in prison for traveling to Vietnam to sexually abuse children. https://www.wistv.com/2022/05/16/man-gets-life-prison-traveling-vietnam-sexually-abuse-children-doj-says/   Topic 2: 911 Needs to Move to the Cloud. What's taking so long?   "Modern" 911 systems are actually old, outdated, and far more complex than they would be if you rebuilt the system from the ground up. But rebuilding all that infrastructure takes time and costs money. Plus, if you get it wrong, people die. https://www.protocol.com/enterprise/emergency-911-cloud-contact-center   Topic 3: CISA Addresses Self-Attestation for IT Service Security It would be impossible to have government agencies test and verify everything they are charged with regulating. But, as we saw with Boeing's 737 Max, there are real consequences for letting companies regulate themselves. The Computer Information Security Agency just released “guidance” around security services sold to government agencies. Basically, they want companies to declare (and eventually document) their compliance with security frameworks such as CMMC. Note that the National Institute for Standards and Technology released similar guidance as well, in addition to being the home of CMMC and other standards. See: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/05/nists-supply-chain-security-guidance-tells-agencies-look-fedramp-first/366564/  Quote from the NIST report: “The external system service providers discussed in this publication include cloud service providers.” See: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-161r1.pdf  https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2022/05/federal-ciso-recommendations-acquisition-council-software-procurement/367351/    Vendor Memo: Gozynta  Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week? That time is 120 prospect calls, a month's worth of the Business of Tech, or building an entire lego death star. Gozynta Mobius can make your life easier through accounting automation.     Automatic sync of invoices, expenses and inventory from ConnectWise Manage into QuickBooks Online in just a single click of a button. With onboarding, direct support, and regular feature releases, Gozynta is a family owned company dedicated to making software suck a little less each day. Visit us at gozynta.com   :-)  

Topic 1:  Found all those Great Resignators: They're working somewhere else. Looks like a basic shake-up that forced a number of employers to treat their employees like humans. Maybe, and we're only speculating here, the working person realizes they don't have to work somewhere that has no decent pay, no decent benefits, no decent work evironment, and so on...Maybe. Consistent data shows that this so called Great Resignation is about worker power.  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/business/great-resgination-jobs.html     Topic 2: Truly terrifying – AI + Ransomware: https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/protocol-enterprise/ai-ransomware-microsoft-rodney-clark The unholy combination of AI + Ransomware is upon us.  It's time to draw up a plan to prepare your business for the looming ransom payment.     Topic 3: Roe v Wade implications for privacy rights: The spread of data science is inevitable. Is imploying a privacy regulation futile or ABSOLUTELY necassary?  https://www.axios.com/2022/05/13/big-data-less-more-sensors-surveillance?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslogin&stream=top Vendor Memo:  Egnyte Are you still using on-prem file servers and VPNs to share files with remote workers? Egnyte is a business class cloud sharing solution that works more like your on-prem server than other solutions. With a security first approach to file sharing and collaboration, Egnyte offers multiple options for sharing files and collecting files from outside sources. And do it all addressing data governance and compliance. Want to learn more? Check out Egnyte.com/mspradio, and when you do, tell them Dave sent you.   :-) 

Topic 1:  Ransomware leads to the first casualty in the higher education market as Lincoln College closes permanently due to cyberattack in December 2021. Who was their MSP … and why was there not a plan in place? Ten years ago, a system failure of more than 24 hours could mean the end of your business. Today, with ransomeware on the rise, what are the odds of hundreds of schools, hospitals, businesses etc. going under? As this inevitable threat unfolds, it begs the question: Why haven't we implimented data back ups as the standard? https://www.engadget.com/lincoln-college-ransomware-attack-shut-down-covid-19-164917483.html     Topic 2: Let's not ignore Apple's 180 on Right to Repair ...But, of course, it's right to repair their way, and does not play nice with so-called partners. Conceptually, Apple's 180 on the Right to Repair is heading in the right direction! That said, the right to repair doesn't necessarily mean access to the right to an easy repair.  https://www.computerworld.com/article/3641328/apple-gives-in-on-right-to-repair.html     Topic 3: Market sentiment - end of times!  Trends predicate yet another recession. But with record numbers and a growing demand in the tech realm, the recession might be the best time for you to invest.  But before you put on those rose tinted glasses, you might want to weigh in the drag this slump might have on potential customers. https://www.axios.com/2022/05/09/next-tech-downturn-cheat-sheet-recession https://fortune.com/2022/05/09/tech-hiring-slowing-down-job-market/   Sponsor Memo: Cisco Did you know Cisco helps Managed Services Providers directly? Know about the Cisco Partner Program? Focused on helping partners combine managed services expertise and service creation with innovative Cisco technology and proven go-to-market resources, there's a program option for you. With provider pricing, MDF, and marketing resources coupled with Cisco's leading technologies inculding Meraki, Duo, and Umbrella, learn more with the link right in the show notes.    https://lnkd.in/gsydMya   :-)  

Topic 1:  Colloquium: What do we think the permanent changes are to “the workplace” after the pandemic. What percentage will go back? Is hybrid permanent forever? Has the concept of office changed forever from a technology perspective? If yes, was this something we should have seen coming and covid just sped it up? What's next that we might not have seen coming?     Topic 2: Declaration for the Future of the Internet   Splinternet - China and Russia https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/28/23046652/declaration-for-the-future-of-the-internet-eu-us-regulation-commitment-announced And the actual 3-page declaration: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Declaration-for-the-Future-for-the-Internet_Launch-Event-Signing-Version_FINAL.pdf      Topic 3: Big Tech salaries revealed Ryan https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-engineer-developer-salary-google-amazon-microsoft-ibm-apple-intel-2021-6      -- -- -- Sponsor Memo: SBT Tech Community This podcast is sponsored by the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community.  Check us out at SmallBizThoughts.org Forms, templates, and checklists are just the start.  Our Community includes ALL of the best-selling books on managed services in all available formats, plus free training, members-only programs, and the best business training available to managed service providers anywhere. Plus, we have weekly live members-only Zoom calls.  The average member saves more than 200% of their membership cost each year.  We are totally dedicated to YOUR success.  Just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Join us today at SmallBizThoughts.org   :-)