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Denis Villeneuve, Cybersecurity and Resiliency Practice Lead at Kyndryl, talked about improving organizational cybersecurity and resilience. A Kyndryl readiness report revealed a significant gap between executive concern over cyber threats and their lack of preparedness to handle them. He stressed the necessity of a holistic approach to cyber resilience, addressing human errors and external risks, and prioritizing security investments in core, revenue-driving applications.

Regarding the Canadian landscape, Denis expressed optimism about the country’s standing but highlighted the need for greater compliance with emerging global regulations (like Bill C-8). He also covered the impact of AI on cybersecurity, necessitating system modernization and improved workforce skills to counter AI-driven threats.

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Manuj breaks down how MSP owners can escape “Biological Latency” by building a Digital Twin—a Voice-First AI Agent that doesn’t just answer questions, but carries your values, your stories, and your expertise to the market 24/7. Learn how to stop competing on price and start selling the one thing that cannot be commoditized: You.

Links for the Show Notes:

• The Architect: www.ManujAggarwal.com
• The Technology: www.TetraNoodle.com

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Jay McBain, Chief Analyst Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems at Omdia, outlined the strategic shifts facing the tech industry ahead of 2026. He pointed out the concerning gap between the success of consumer AI and the low ROI from most business AI implementations, linking this challenge to data center dependency and sustainability issues. He forecast major growth in managed security and AI services and stressed that companies must identify key market segments, develop essential skills, and use strategic partnerships to capitalize. Both McBain and Julian emphasized the importance of differentiation and strong leadership to succeed in a market increasingly defined by digital sameness.

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Julian sat down with Randal Wark and Paolo Del Nibletto to discuss the business climate in 2025, addressing the unpredictability of tariffs and its effects on corporate decision-making. Paolo noted that this uncertainty is causing businesses to hesitate in their pricing strategies, while Randal pointed out that many companies are tightening budgets and delaying projects, particularly in cybersecurity. They acknowledged the challenges posed by economic fluctuations and discussed the potential for technology to assist businesses in navigating these issues.

The need for consistent privacy standards in North America was another key topic, with Randal and Paolo contrasting the situation with the successful implementation of GDPR in Europe. They highlighted the lack of clear governance policies in North America, which leads to increased vulnerabilities.

They also touched on the challenges of remote work and the cybersecurity implications of accessing sensitive information in unsecured environments. Randal stressed the importance of disaster recovery plans and adaptability in response to emergencies, while Paolo discussed the political implications of power management in relation to AI.

Review their 2024 forecasts: https://www.e-channelnews.com/2024-predictions-with-randal-wark-and-paolo-del-nibletto/

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Guest: Andy Sen, CTO, AppDirect, a leading multinational technology company that provides a B2B Subscription Commerce Platform and ecosystem.

Andy talked about AppDirect’s vision for becoming a leading marketplace for subscription commerce tailored for advisors, outlining the company’s unique positioning compared to broader marketplaces. He shared insights from his extensive e-commerce background, particularly the transformative effects of mobile technology on consumer behavior. He also highlighted AppDirect’s initiatives with AI, particularly through their platform devs.ai, which empowers teams across the organization to develop their own AI solutions, enhancing productivity and fostering innovation.

Andy emphasized governance and compliance as crucial for responsible AI, exploring AI’s potential to replace traditional ERP systems. Finally, he stressed the challenge of measuring AI productivity while asserting the irreplaceable value of human creativity.

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Presenters: Julian Lee, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation
Nim Nadarajah, C.CISO, Cyber Security, Compliance & Transformation Expert | Executive Board Member | Keynote Speaker
Evgeniy Kharam, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation Cybersecurity Architect | Evangelist | Consultant | Advisor | Podcaster | Visionary | Speaker |
Adam Bennett, Co-Founder & CEO at SureStack CEO at Crosshair Cyber

The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem aims to assist Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in becoming more cybersecurity-oriented amidst industry disruptions caused by AI and regulatory changes.

The discussion, centered on cloud service outages and cybersecurity trends, immediately addressed the need for operational resiliency amid increasing cloud platform dependency. Evgeniy stressed that businesses must prepare for outages and design critical systems to function in degraded modes, suggesting specialized AI training for cloud solutions. Adam and Nim highlighted the growing threats posed by AI-driven malicious actors and synthetic identity fraud, underscoring the necessity of understanding vendor capabilities and the high financial cost of downtime.

Click here to watch previous episodes on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem

To learn more on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem, visit: https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/

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Craig Bell, President and CEO of Onit, talked about the evolution of the IT sector, particularly the transition of Onit from an office equipment supplier to an MSP with an emphasis on cybersecurity and AI. Craig shared insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the impact of the COVID pandemic on business strategies and drawing parallels between the current managed services provider landscape and the copier industry of the 1990s.

He emphasized the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, noting that many organizations only allocate significant budgets for cybersecurity after experiencing breaches. He also touched on the necessity of aligning AI investments with clear client needs to ensure successful outcomes, while cautioning against developing products solely for novelty.

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Aron Waisman, VP Sales of Synergy Associates, highlighting the company’s efforts to enhance its presence in Canada and its unique offerings in the technology distribution sector. He provided an overview of Synergy, emphasizing its 26 years of experience and partnerships with major companies like Dell and HPE. He detailed Synergy’s business model, which includes providing recertified and canceled products that offer significant savings to customers. He emphasized the company’s quick response times for quotes and orders, often within 24 to 48 hours, and the reliability of their products, all backed by OEM warranties. Synergy seeks to market products that still have substantial utility, aligning with their commitment to environmental responsibility.

The conversation also touched on customer service practices and the impact of hyper-automation on human interactions, including the absence of voicemail during business hours to ensure direct communication, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with OEMs to enhance customer experience.

Stay tuned ina next interview as we delve into more detailed topics, including lessons learned from the field and OEM partnerships.

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Presenters: Julian Lee, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation
Nim Nadarajah, C.CISO, Cyber Security, Compliance & Transformation Expert | Executive Board Member | Keynote Speaker
Evgeniy Kharam, Publisher, Community Builder, Speaker, Channel Ecosystem Developer with a focus on cybersecurity, AI and Digital Transformation Cybersecurity Architect | Evangelist | Consultant | Advisor | Podcaster | Visionary | Speaker |
Adam Bennett, Co-Founder & CEO at SureStack CEO at Crosshair Cyber

The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem aims to assist Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in becoming more cybersecurity-oriented amidst industry disruptions caused by AI and regulatory changes.

The discussion centered on the evolving landscape of customer attitudes towards AI and cybersecurity, highlighting a shift from viewing AI as a magical solution to demanding tangible proof of its effectiveness and security. Many organizations are reactive rather than proactive in their cybersecurity measures, emphasizing the need for health checks and diagnostics. They must implement collaborative strategies to enhance proactive assessments, and they should explore various methods beyond traditional penetration testing to bolster their security posture. The conversation also addressed the persistent threat of bad actors within major companies and the necessity of adapting security measures to the rapidly changing threat landscape.

There are different approaches to penetration testing, with a combination of continuous testing and human assessments to address emerging vulnerabilities. It is important to leverage existing tools effectively, while acknowledging the limitations of monitoring systems compared to penetration tests. The discussion also covered the challenges of evaluating third-party applications, particularly SaaS products, and the need for organizations to maintain transparency with vendors regarding security practices.

Click here to watch previous episodes on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem

Dont miss our Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem Summit on Nov. 26th in Toronto, aimed at fostering collaboration among managed service providers, chief information security officers, and other stakeholders. The event will feature a unique “Shark Tank” format for vendor presentations and expert-led discussions on various topics.

To learn more on Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem, visit: https://cybersecuritydefenseecosystem.com/

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Guest: Pat Larkin, President, Ekco, a Dublin-based “security-first managed cloud provider” that has grown rapidly through both organic expansion and a series of strategic acquisitions across Europe.

Pat outlined Ekco’s evolution from a backup service provider to a security-first cloud provider, driven by numerous mergers and acquisitions since 2017. The conversation also touched on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, particularly the dual role of AI as both a facilitator and a challenge, with Pat noting that fundamental cybersecurity issues persist despite technological advancements.

Pat also talked about the increasing risks associated with AI in cybersecurity, emphasizing the need for guardrails to mitigate these risks. He expressed concerns about the underskilling and lack of diversity in the cybersecurity workforce, advocating for stronger partnerships between industry and educational institutions to prepare future professionals.