Carolyn and Seth take a look back at some of the big technology trends from 2021. The consistency in regulatory pressure and the growing concerns around cybersecurity were two main stories, and many other events fell under the umbrella of resiliency. From digital transformation to remote work to chip shortages, the common thread was a desire to build more resiliency into business operations. To close out the episode, Andrea McMillian joins from the producer's seat to share her thoughts on digital content trends.

Carolyn and Seth talk with Gavin Garbutt, chairman and co-founder of Augmentt, about business tech purchasing in 2022. With budgets on the rise, businesses will be exploring both the tactical and strategic side of IT. Items on the wish list include consulting around technology opportunities, managing cloud systems, and Microsoft 365 security.

Carolyn and Seth talk about CompTIA's new research, the IT Industry Outlook 2022. The theme of the report is "Return to Strategy," as both IT professionals and IT channel firms start moving back toward the dual mindset around tactics and strategy that was developing pre-pandemic. The report includes 10 trends to watch, including a shift toward consulting for channel firms and the evolution of software to become even more granular. The report also includes in-depth sections on IT pro and channel firm behavior, including a renewed interest in hiring and the major balancing act businesses will have to perform when deciding how to handle their workforce in the coming year.

IT Industry Outlook 2022: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/it-industry-trends-analysis

Carolyn and Seth welcome back Randy Gross, CompTIA's CIO and EVP of Cert Operations, for the annual holiday episode. They discuss one thing in tech that's scary (the threat of disruption), one thing they are thankful for (broad access to technology), and one thing on the wish list (removing more friction).

Carolyn and Seth welcome Ricardo Frost, VP and CIO of RFK Solutionz, to discuss some real world issues in cybersecurity. Ricardo talks about the need to build focused cybersecurity budgets, the importance of training, and the benefits of audits in redefining strategy.

Carolyn and Seth review CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity research as Cybersecurity Awareness Month kicks off. As cybersecurity continues to be a moving target for many businesses, a more structured approach is needed. Companies need to start with policy, where a zero trust approach is becoming the best practice. From there, they need to build out the processes and people that are required for strong cybersecurity. Finally, they can add the products needed to execute the strategy.

CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity 2021: https://www.comptia.org/content/research/cybersecurity-trends-research

Carolyn and Seth talk with Mark Plunkett, Vice President of custom training at CompTIA Tech Career Academy. Mark gives an overview of custom training programs, which are developed with educational institutions, government entities, and private organizations in order to build a pipeline for technical talent, especially among underserved populations. As demand for technical skills continues to skyrocket, there is a growing need to create new pathways for job seekers and new options for businesses trying to close skill gaps.

CompTIA Custom Training: https://www.comptiatech.org/custom-training-programs

Carolyn and Seth talk about the steps companies need to take as they build their data capabilities. Most companies need to start with building comprehensive plans for all their data, including storage options, classification schemes and breaking down data silos. From there, they can move into the analysis that adds new value. Businesses may have to explore many different options for adding data skills, since they are often looking for a significant amount of job experience. Individuals interested in a role in data analysis may have the necessary business experience but lack specific technical skills, which is where training and certification can play a role.

Closing the Data Skills Gap whitepaper: https://www.comptia.org/content/whitepapers/closing-the-data-skills-gap

Carolyn and Seth talk with Matt Britt, executive chef and assistant professor at Johnson and Wales, about the intersection of technology and the culinary industry. The pandemic greatly accelerated the need for restaurants to become digital, and Matt talks about the different ways technology is being used for both customer experience and back kitchen improvements.

Culinary Now podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culinary-now-podcast/id1490695277

Carolyn and Seth talk with Amy Kardel, CompTIA's VP of Strategic Workforce Relationships, about the Apprenticeships for Tech program. Amy shares the characteristics that make apprenticeships unique--a structured approach to learning workplace skills and typically leading to a permanent position. With demand for technical skills skyrocketing, apprenticeships offer a new avenue for businesses to find and develop the workers they need.

CompTIA Apprenticeships for Tech: https://www.comptia.org/content/lp/apprenticeships-for-tech