ChannelPro Weekly Podcast

Famed business consultant Erick Simpson of ErickSimpson.com takes the reigns as guest co-host alongside Matt while Rich gets a little R&R. Together they take a look at Barracuda's newest RMM integration with Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender's apparent penchant for breaking the rules with their partner program, some opportunities for channel pros in CMMC, a new way to look at Microsoft 365 from a security perspective, and the ever expanding importance and responsibilities of help desk.

Then sit back for a little fun while Matt puts Erick's knowledge of IT acronyms to the test... on what they mean in other industries. What's that P in PSU mean, for example? We'll give you a hint. It rhymes with 'mediatric'.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-196-it-rhymes-mediatric

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Barracuda Adds Microsoft Defender Antivirus Integration to RMM Solution - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/barracuda-adds-microsoft-defender-antivirus-integration-rmm-solution

Bitdefender Says Rules Are for Breaking - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/bitdefender-says-rules-are-breaking

C-M-M-C Spells Opportunity - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/c-m-m-c-spells-opportunity

Protecting the Newest Endpoint: M365 - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/protecting-newest-endpoint-m365

Help Desk Responsibilities, Importance Expand - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/help-desk-responsibilities-importance-expand

Matt's Museum Pick: Microsoft Works Matt's Tech Pick: Dell Optiplex 5490 - https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-all-in-one-pcs/optiplex-5490-aio/spd/optiplex-5490-aio?~ck=bt

Your regular hosts are joined this week by marketing-savvy MSP Ed Correia, of Sagacent Technologies, marketing-savvy consultant (and ID Agent founder) Kevin Lancaster, of The Venture Mentor, and marketing expert (and former Kaseya exec) Matt Solomon, of Channel Halo. So you know you're going to get some rock-solid marketing advice. We won't spoil their best suggestion, but (hint, hint) it'll make your feet happy.

You'll be happy too as you listen in on the conversation about the hiring crunch in IT, ChannelPro's annual Readers' Choice Awards, and the challenges of cold calling. There's lots of good stuff on social media marketing, presentation skills, and more as well. Just make sure you're not the last one in the channel to put your logo where athlete's foot spreads.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-195-two-words-branded-socks

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Channelfied podcast - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQAgOa07oc3CN_IZpuS00wg/featured

CompTIA confirms tech hiring challenges - https://connect.comptia.org/newsroom/press-releases/2021/08/06/new-hiring-continuing-strong-employer-demand-drive-tech-unemployment-rate-to-its-lowest-level-in-two-years-comptia-analysis-reveals

Exclusive Networks Rolls Out Everything-as-a-Service Platform in U.S. - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/exclusive-networks-rolls-out-everything-service-platform-us

2021 Readers' Choice Awards - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/awards/2021-readers-choice-awards

Cold Calling for the Faint (and Not So Faint) of Heart - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/cold-calling-faint-and-not-so-faint-heart

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

If you like extended detection and response (XDR) solutions, you'll probably like extra extra extended detection and response solutions even more. You'll also probably enjoy hearing Matt, Rich, and guest host Bruce McCully, of Galactic Advisors, discuss the new XDR technologies from Sophos, the new file sync and share software from Acronis, and the new reporting and billing reconciliation software from ConnectWise.

Want more to like? There's also a conversation with George Hope, Hewlett Packard Enterprise's worldwide channel chief, and a chat about Bruce's recently published book, Level Up: The Ultimate MSP Roadmap For Security, Operations And Profitability. Just don't search "XXXDR" on Google, unless you're prepared from some results you might NOT like.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-194-xxxdr

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Level Up: The Ultimate MSP Roadmap For Security, Operations And Profitability - https://www.amazon.com/Level-Up-Ultimate-Operations-Profitability/dp/B097SPL6LY

Biggest Zero-Trust Hurdle: Getting People To Listen - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/biggest-zero-trust-hurdle-getting-people-listen

Sophos is Rapidly Extending its eXtended Detection and Response Platform - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/sophos-rapidly-extending-its-extended-detection-and-response-platform

Acronis Adds Advanced File Sync and Share Pack to Cyber Protect Cloud - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/acronis-adds-advanced-file-sync-and-share-pack-cyber-protect-cloud

ConnectWise Announces Lightweight Reporting and Cloud Billing Reconciliation Tools - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/connectwise-announces-lightweight-reporting-and-cloud-billing-reconciliation-tools

Security's Achilles' Heel: VPN Vulnerabilities - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/security-s-achilles-heel-vpn-vulnerabilities

Bruce's Museum Pick: Hak5 WiFi Pineapple TETRA Matt's Tech Pick: Hak5 WiFi Pineapple MarkVII Tactical - https://shop.hak5.org/products/wifi-pineapple?variant=32019576094833

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Want to name some chickens? Here's your chance, along with an equally enticing opportunity to hear what Matt, Rich, and guest host Eric Long, of TeraCloud, have to say about the new National Society of IT Service Providers and its mission to shape forthcoming MSP regulations, N-able going solo and public, and metrics that matter for IT business owners.

All of that's in addition to a conversation with ConnectWise's Arlin Sorensen about peer groups and a visit to Eric's chicken coop. And no kidding, folks, please suggest names for the youngest additions to the flock.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-193-meet-chicken-tender

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

New Membership Group Aims to Influence Tech Industry Regulations - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/new-membership-group-aims-influence-tech-industry-regulations

N-able Completes Spinoff from SolarWinds - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/n-able-completes-spinoff-solarwinds

Know Your Numbers - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/know-your-numbers

TeraCloud Farms - https://teracloudfarms.com/

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Two by two, folks, two by two. It's the best way to survive both a world-destroying flood and an RMM outage, for reasons that will become clear as Matt, Rich, and guest host Antwine Jackson, of Enitech Solutions, discuss Microsoft's new Windows 365 product, the latest developments from NinjaRMM, and (especially) the Kaseya VSA breach.

And if you really want to get the inside story on what happened to VSA, don't miss this week's interview with Huntress CEO and threat expert extraordinaire Kyle Hanslovan, who shares previously undisclosed details about how attackers compromised that product. It may not be a tale of biblical proportions, but it's definitely an interesting one.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-192-noahs-ark-approach

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Microsoft Launches First "Cloud PC" - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/microsoft-launches-first-cloud-pc

NinjaRMM Ships RMM Update With Documentation Functionality - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/ninjarmm-ships-rmm-update-documentation-functionality

NinjaRMM Invests in Partner Program - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/ninjarmm-invests-partner-program

5 Ways Kaseya VSA Users Are Keeping Customers Up, Running, and Satisfied - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/slideshow/5-ways-kaseya-vsa-users-are-keeping-customers-running-and-satisfied

Huntress advice on what to do if your RMM is compromised - https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/ocxamc/couldnt_sleep_last_night_because_of_this_question/h3xsd6r/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Huntress video recreation of Kaseya VSA exploit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK4kvZ7n4eM

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Aliens, we hope, come in peace. Cyberinsurance providers? Harder to say, but Matt, Rich, and returning guest host Luis Alvarez, of Alvarez Technology Group, do get plenty of insightful answers to other questions this week from interview guest and cyberinsurance expert Joseph Brunsman, of Brunsman Advisory Group.

Joined by ChannelPro Managing Editor Colleen Frye, your hosts also discuss Barracuda buying SKOUT Cybersecurity, N-able's forthcoming spinoff from SolarWinds as an independent vendor, and the latest selection of reading suggestions from the ChannelPro Book Club. It's way out there, man!

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-191-close-encounters-insurance-kind

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Barracuda Buys SKOUT Cybersecurity to Enter Red-Hot XDR Market - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/barracuda-buys-skout-cybersecurity-enter-red-hot-xdr-market

It's Official: N-able Goes Solo on July 12th - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/it-s-official-n-able-goes-solo-july-12th

ChannelPro Book Club: 2021 Summer Reading List - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/slideshow/channelpro-book-club-2021-summer-reading-list

Videos by Joseph Brunsman - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_OZBxt9Um9zjsp_9qtsWA

Damage Control: Cyber Insurance & Compliance, a free e-book by Joseph Brunsman - https://www.thebrunsgroup.com/book2

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Have you thought deeply—and we mean deeply—about what was in the last box lunch you ate? You will after listening to this week's show, in which Matt, Rich, and their returning guest host—MSP and certified ethical hacker Michael Cocanower, of itSynergy—discuss that important topic along with the latest cybersecurity news from ConnectWise and opportunities to take your Azure skills from the 101 to 201 level.

Then stay tuned for further security talk with interview guest Ian Thornton-Trump, of both threat intelligence vendor Cyjax and Octopi Managed Services, in Winnipeg. Way more interesting than the pasta salad you got with that boxed ham sandwich.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-190-box-lunch-analysis

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

ConnectWise Warns MSPs: Get Serious About Security Soon or Else - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/connectwise-warns-msps-get-serious-about-security-soon-or-else

ConnectWise Reports Progress Made But More Needed in the Fight Against MSP Breaches - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/connectwise-reports-progress-made-more-needed-fight-against-msp-breaches

ConnectWise Launches Consolidated Management Interface for Third-Party BDR Solutions - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/connectwise-launches-consolidated-management-interface-third-party-bdr-solutions

Now's the Time to Advance to Azure 201 - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/now-s-time-advance-azure-201

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Gosh, puffins are cute. Who doesn't love a bird in a tuxedo? Or are we thinking of penguins? What's the difference, anyway? Never mind, we don't have time for that, because there are way too many other topics for Matt and Rich to discuss on this week's show with guest host Rob Boles, of managed security service provider BLOKWORX. Like N-able's latest product roadmap, the latest addition to WatchGuard's unified cloud management portal, Epson latest high-capacity, low-cost inkjet printer, and four great ways to turn selling hardware from a low-margin burden into a high-profit opportunity.

Then stay tuned for a fascinating tour through the threatscape with Corey Nachreiner, WatchGuard's chief security officer. He's not as cuddly as a puffin but way more insightful.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-189-puffin-security

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

N-able Outlines Near-Term and Long-Term Product Roadmap Plans - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/n-able-outlines-near-term-and-long-term-product-roadmap-plans

WatchGuard Rolls Endpoint Security Products Into Cloud Management Portal - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/watchguard-rolls-endpoint-security-products-cloud-management-portal

Epson Unveils High-Capacity, Low-Cost A3 Supertank Color MFP - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/epson-unveils-high-capacity-low-cost-a3-supertank-color-mfp

Prospering in Hardware - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/prospering-hardware

Secplicity - https://www.secplicity.org/

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

Who needs icing in the middle of their cake when they can enjoy a nice thick layer of raw baking flour instead? Actually, don't answer that question. Just sit back and listen as Matt, Rich, and their guest host, MSP consultant Ronnie Parisella, mull over Gradient MSP's freshly launched "data hygiene" product, Axcient's new online-only file sync and share system, and Augmentt's latest cloud management solution.

Then stick around for an interesting conversation about the present status and future prospects of the esports market (not to mention favorite and least favorite Star Trek series) with Chris Geiser and Bubba Gaeddert, two members of the leadership team at D&H's recently formed Components and Gaming Business Unit. Not saying much, we know, but you'll find it way tastier than a flour-frosted cake.

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-188-flour-layer

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

Gradient MSP Ships Solution for Cleansing PSA Data - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/gradient-msp-ships-solution-cleansing-psa-data

Axcient Introduces Online-Only File Sync and Share Software - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/axcient-introduces-online-only-file-sync-and-share-software

Augmentt Says Large MSPs and SaaS Specialists Are Out in Front on Cloud Management - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/augmentt-says-large-msps-and-saas-specialists-are-out-front-cloud-management

ASCII's Alan Weinberger: MSPs are the Cure to Cybersecurity Ills - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/asciis-alan-weinberger-msps-are-cure-cybersecurity-ills

D&H Forms Components and Gaming Business Unit - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/dh-investing-big-partner-resources

Matt's Ronnie's Museum Pick: The Amazing Spider-Man (1991 video game)

Matt's Tech Pick: iCUE 5000D RGB Hydro X Edition Mid-Tower ATX PC Case https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Cases/Mid-Tower-ATX-Cases/iCUE-5000D-RGB-Hydro-X-Edition-Mid-Tower-ATX-PC-Case/p/CC-9011228-WW

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi

There are lots of good reasons to be a channel pro. If golf isn't one of yours, you need to listen to this week's show, in which Matt, Rich, and guest host Andrew Sampson, of solution and managed service provider SAAI, discuss forthcoming partner resources from D&H, rising hardware prices, a new automated management solution from Extreme Networks, and ChannelPro's latest Vendors on the Vanguard list.

That's all followed by a timely interview with Ian McChord, CEO of Zorus Inc., about their employee productivity monitoring solution and work-from-home productivity more generally, plus embarrassing favorite TV shows. And yes, that last topic is a bit odd, but par for the course with ChannelPro Weekly, wouldn't you say?

Subscribe to ChannelPro Weekly!

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast/id1095568582?mt=2 Google Play Podcasts: https://play.google.com/music/m/Igodza5l63vd5w5mdybtpq2cr7e?t=ChannelPro_Weekly_Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hWuOWbrIcwtrK6UJLSHvU Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1d93194-a5f3-46d8-b625-abdc0ba032f1/ChannelPro-Weekly-Podcast More here: https://www.channelpronetwork.com/download/podcast/channelpro-weekly-podcast-episode-187-it-tee-times

Topics and Related Links Mentioned:

D&H is Investing Big in Partner Resources - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/dh-investing-big-partner-resources

Extreme Networks Introduces Automated Network Management Assistant - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/extreme-networks-introduces-automated-network-management-assistant

Meet the 2021 Vendors on the Vanguard - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/article/meet-2021-vendors-vanguard

Rich's ICYMI plug and quickie preview of the week ahead - https://www.channelpronetwork.com/tags/icymi