SMB Community Podcast

Topic 1: Fake Fake news . . . Birds Aren’t Real

Birds Aren’t Real, or Are They? Inside a Gen Z Conspiracy Theory.

Links: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/technology/birds-arent-real-gen-z-misinformation.html

https://birdsarentreal.com/

Topic 2: China uses American influencers to promote their version of reality

Links: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/13/technology/china-propaganda-youtube-influencers.html 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBULHi6E_rGV2gjygFFPzYpEFXAYXcfW/view?usp=sharing 

Warning: This page is (oddly) very poorly designed. If your system autoplays, it will play about twenty videos all at once.

Topic 3: What to know before you take a job in a hybrid workplace

It’s hard to maintain culture. And it’s not a good fit for everyone.

Link: https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-new-job-hybrid-workplace-remote-work/ 

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Register NOW for Killing IT Live - January 19th - Register now http://killingitlive.com/ 

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Sponsor Note: PC Matic

Think you know PC Matic? Think again.

PC Matic is working with MSPs to deliver true zero trust/default deny endpoint security.

Allowing only trusted applications and blocking all the rest. A light weight, simple to deploy & easy to manage approach to application allowlisting.

Layering a default deny approach provides MSPs of all sizes the ability to again focus on prevention, and PC Matic delivers this without impacting performance or efficiency.

Find out more about by visiting https://pcmatic.com/MSP 

Be sure to ask about PC Matic's exclusive lead sharing program for MSPs backed by a prime time national TV campaign.

:-)

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Host Karl talks with Scott Sandland from Cyrano.ai, a company that is developing smart "AI" software that will help counselors address some tough emotional issues. Scott started out focusing on teen suicide and has built up systems from there.

Scott is the former world's youngest hypnotherapist. A few companies (and decades) later he is the CEO of a company focusing on artificial empathy and strategic linguistics. As a former executive director and CEO of a mental health clinic and longtime technologist, he has experience leading purpose driven organizations. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, Psychology Today, Forbes, and Entrepreneur Magazine. Scott has presented his AI work at the United Nations AI for Global Good Conference and is a frequent guest lecturer at various universities.

Here we dig into AI chatbots that are attempting to do good things - with empathy and strategy. We also dig into some of the current issues with AI and ethics.

Scott's company builds and has patented an AI system optimized for effective communication skills, active listening, and strategic responses to help people increase motivation towards a desired outcome. Acknowledging that this is a very difficult chore and it could be very dangerous to get it wrong. Links: https://blog.cyrano.ai/ https://www.cyrano.ai/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsandland/

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Sponsor Memo: Gozynta

Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week?

That time is 120 prospect calls, building an entire lego death star, or most of the content put out by Karl Palachuk in a week.

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 them at https://gozynta.com

:-)

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Topic 1: F.T.C. Sues to Stop Blockbuster Chip Deal Between Nvidia and Arm

Arm provides technology that other chip makers need. Does this give Nvidia an unfair advantage? And is the merger a completely unnecessary move prompted by the need for investors to show a profit?

What is the channel takeaway?

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/technology/ftc-nvidia-arm-deal.html 

Topic 2: What will smartphones be like in ten years?

We actually come to a consensus on this for a variety of reasons. We think we know what phones will look like; we have different ideas about the functionality.

Link: https://gizmodo.com/what-will-smartphones-be-like-in-10-years-1848138666 

Topic 3: AWS Announces IoT TwinMaker to Accelerate the Creation of Digital Twins

One of Ryan's favorite topics. Well, it's here! Will you get a digital twin for Christmas next year?

More than a static "snapshot," digital twins are data-driven representations of things like in the real world, updated with real- or almost real-time data so we can study potential behavior of the things they represent. AWS has built a system so you can play with this technology and find new uses for it.

Links: https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/30/aws-introduces-iot-twinmaker-a-new-service-to-easily-create-digital-twins/ 

https://enterpriseiotinsights.com/20211207/channels/news/aws-intros-iot-packages-to-simplify-digital-twins-and-vehicle-monitoring 

https://futureiot.tech/siemens-aws-to-push-for-accelerated-digital-twin-adoption/ 

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Sponsor 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 https://Egnyte.com/msp, and when you do, tell them the guys at Killing IT sent you.

:-)

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Host Karl talked to Matt Solomon and Kevin Lancaster from Channel Program. They are producing a series of new programs for the SMB IT Channel, including Channel Pitch, Channel Explorer, and Channel Cash.

Kevin is the CEO and Matt is the Chief Business Development Officer of the new company. They have joined forces again to start Channel Program, an innovative collaboration platform uniting the best Channel Partners (MSP's, MSSP's, VAR's, IT Service Providers, and Consultants) with the best Technology Vendors out there.

Kevin and Matt previously led ID Agent, one of the fastest-growing start-ups through acquisition in a 2 year period. The new programs are:

Channel Pitch - Allows MSPs/Channel Partners to attend anonymously and provide valuable feedback to the vendors. For vendors, they get 7 mins, (even playing field), cut out the fluff, and get direct feedback.

Channel Explorer - Video platform, allow both MSPs and Vendors the ability to build a brand, thought leadership, community.

Channel Cash - Launching the first Vendor agnostic MDF (Marketing Development Funds) program.

Links:

• Web - www.channelprogram.com
• Matt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjsolomon/
• Kevin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlancaster/
• Channel Program - https://www.linkedin.com/company/channel-program/
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/bethechannel
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Channel-Program-113031624351535
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ChannelfiedPodcast

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Sponsor Memo: Calyptix Security Cyber security for small business has become overwhelming. Unprecedented threats, escalating rhetoric and limited resources. None of us can battle alone. Lean on your community at Calyptix Security. The Calyptix Community Shield automatically unites small businesses and raise the costs and challenges for cybercriminals by harnessing threat intelligence from our community. If they attack any one of us, everyone gets the benefit with Community Shield. The best part? No added costs. By working together, we will prevail. Learn more at https://calyptix.com and tell them Karl sent you.

:-)

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Topic 1: China mucking around with Iran and Israel

China attacks Israel and makes it look like Iran did it. Meanwhile, Iran really is attacking Israel. And now Israel is attacking Irananian fuel supplies and Iran is exposing personal dating profiles of Israelis. It looks like Israel is attacking Iranian train systems, and Iran is attacking Israeli water systems.

Attacks against citizens are causing political unrest in both countries.

Links:

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/10/1031622/chinese-hackers-false-flag-iran-israel-fireeye/ 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/iran-leapfrogging-our-defenses-in-cyber-war-hacking-expert-mandia-.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/27/world/middleeast/iran-israel-cyber-hack.html 

Topic 2: Robots are not yet smart enough to take most jobs

Robots are getting better, but still require lots of human interaction. They are becoming "just another tool" that humans interactively use.

Link:

https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-warehouse-robots-worker-shortage/ 

Topic 3: Amazon Private 5G

Amazon private 5G is now available to deploy. They even supply the equipment for free: You just pay for usage. Will this be a disruption?

Links:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/aws-ceo-announces-private-5g-at-reinvent-2021/ 

Configure at: https://pages.awscloud.com/Private5GPreview.html 

https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-awss-move-into-private-5g-networking-is-significant/ 

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Sponsor Note: 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 https://Gozynta.com. 

:-)

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Host Karl interviews Harry Brelsford and Scott Lopez about maintenance as the great new MSP opportunity.

Scott is the creator of AOM - Alternative to OEM maintenance (AOM).

Technology entrepreneur Harry Brelsford has teamed with Austin-based ZPI to bring the AOM World ecosystem to market to drive MSP success. Harry is best know for the SMB Nation community and several other startups including 420MSP.

Link: https://aom.world/

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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 https://Acronis.com.

:-)

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Topic 1: Apple goes after the NSO Group

Apple takes companies to court to prevent them from cracking into Apple phones. This touches on privacy as well as treating huge corporations as nation-states. Science fiction or reality?

Links:

https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/sourcecode/taking-down-pegasus 

https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/23/22798917/apple-nso-group-spyware-pegasus-cybersecurity-research 

Topic 2: McDonald’s and the ice cream machine - update

We covered the "right to repair" issue regarding McD's ice cream machines. Now the picture is a lot more complicated. You never know where intrigue can be found. We also touch on the value of service contracts and how that fits in the mix.

This might also be the first use of IOICT - Internet of Ice Cream Things.

Link: https://www.wired.com/story/mcdonalds-ice-cream-machine-hacking-kytch-taylor-internal-emails/ 

Topic 3: We’re Going to “Armageddon” an Asteroid

NASA just launched a rocket that will -- in 1 year -- crash into an asteroid so they can measure the impact on its orbit. The purpose: to practice and learn whether we could alter the path of an asteroid in the future if it were headed toward Earth. Sweet!

Links:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/24/world/nasa-dart-asteroid-mission-launch-scn/index.html 

https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/09/1035166/dart-nasa-spacecraft-asteroid-protection-dimorphos/ 

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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 https://Acronis.com. 

:-)

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Host Karl interviewed Manoj Srivastava, General Manager of ID Agent and Graphus.

Today's employees have a better understanding of cybersecurity risks than in years past, but it can still feel like a massive undertaking to get everyone to complete even the most basic of training. While hacking into a system is difficult, sophisticated social engineering attacks tricking users to give away their credentials is far more common, meaning anyone can fall victim to these scams.

Manoj explains why training is not enough. He believe cybersecurity awareness should be embedded into the culture of an organization, with employees understanding how their daily behaviors contribute to the cyber environment.

Links:

• www.kaseya.com
• www.idagent.com
• www.graphus.ai

About Manoj Srivastava Manoj Srivastava is General Manager, ID Agent and Graphus, where he focuses on products that help managed service providers (MSPs) and IT professionals protect their customers – small and mid-sized companies – against cybercrime. He oversees a suite of solutions that includes monitoring for compromised credentials, employee security awareness training, attack simulations, email security, and identity access management.

About Graphus Graphus, a Kaseya company, is an industry-leading, cloud email security solution. As the world's first automated phishing defense platform, Graphus protects email users from cybercriminals posing as trusted contacts by automatically eliminating social engineering threats such as spear phishing, phishing, and business email scams. Its patented technology employs artificial intelligence to establish a TrustGraph® between people, devices, and networks to detect threats. For more information, visit https://www.graphus.ai.

About ID Agent ID Agent, a Kaseya company, provides the leading Dark Web monitoring, security awareness training and identity & access management solutions to organizations of all sizes worldwide. Its flagship product, Dark Web ID™, delivers validated intelligence to identify, analyze and monitor for compromised or stolen employee and customer data. The company's BullPhish ID™ product provides cybersecurity awareness training and phishing simulation geared to the non-technical end user, to enhance a company's overall cybersecurity and further safeguard corporate systems. Passly™ delivers comprehensive identity & access management to secure remote workforces and protect organizations from risk of exposure. To learn more, visit www.idagent.com.

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Sponsor Memo: Calyptix

Cyber security for small business has become overwhelming. Unprecedented threats, escalating rhetoric and limited resources. None of us can battle alone. Lean on your community at Calyptix Security. The Calyptix Community Shield automatically unites small businesses and raise the costs and challenges for cybercriminals by harnessing threat intelligence from our community. If they attack any one of us, everyone gets the benefit with Community Shield. The best part? No added costs. By working together, we will prevail. Learn more at https://calyptix.com and tell them Karl sent you.

:-)

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Topic 1: New Fad - Work from Work Wednesdays

Zooming from the office is what the NYT calls the “Worst of both worlds.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/16/business/return-to-office-hybrid-work.html

Topic 2: Apple has killer deals with several State DMVs

Apple having states pay for their tech rollout -- how much is their responsibility, when Apple controls the tech?

https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/14/22781570/apple-making-states-pay-digital-id-service 

Topic 3: Electric Vehicles are super hot - including used.

Overview https://www.virta.global/global-electric-vehicle-market 

Rivian https://www.investopedia.com/rivian-ipo-what-happened-and-why-it-matters-5209505 

Used EVs https://www.wired.com/story/used-evs-hotter-demand-ever/ 

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Sponsor Note: 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 at https://lnkd.in/gsydMya 

:-)

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From Karl: Everyone is a little overwhelmed with the fast-changing world of cybersecurity and what we should be doing. I wanted to give folks some clear, precise guidelines and questions about starting this process. I go into some detail on the questions and process I recommend for engaging EVERY client in this discussion.

I make reference to the model cybersecurity training you can access and download from https://www.mspwebinar.com. You can view the entire 1-hour video (recorded live with a client in November 2021), and download the PowerPoint in PPTX format. Download it, remove my branding and graphics, and create your own version. Hey, it's easier to edit my stuff than to start with a blank page, right?

And if you are a member of the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community, you can access example resources for data handling documents and the sample client-facing cybersecurity questionnaire. If you're not a member, sign up now at https://www.smallbizthoughts.org.

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Sponsor Note: Gozynta

Did you know that the average MSP spends 10 hours manually inputting accounting data each week? That time is 120 prospect calls, building an entire lego death star, or most of the content put out by Karl Palachuk in a week.

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 them at https://gozynta.com

:-)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.