Best The Astra Project Podcasts (2025)

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Navigating AI in PR: Strategies to Combat AI Washing and Enhance Engagement with Stamatis Astra 20:11

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2d ago20:11

20:11

Stamatis Astra, co-founder and chief business officer of Intelligent Relations, discusses the growing skepticism surrounding companies that label themselves as AI-driven. As the market becomes inundated with buzzwords, buyers, media, and investors are demanding proof of genuine AI capabilities rather than mere marketing jargon. Astra emphasizes the…

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AI’s Dark Side: What Every MSP Needs to Know 55:48

4d ago55:48

55:48

AI is revolutionizing the landscape of cybercrime, introducing sophisticated threats such as deepfakes, voice cloning, and autonomous attacks. The rise of generative AI tools has led to a staggering increase in phishing messages and email fraud losses, with many organizations reporting that they have already experienced AI-powered attacks. Despite …

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OpenAI Lawsuit Highlights AI Safety; Kyndryl Automates Security, NASA Predicts Solar Weather 16:57

5d ago16:57

16:57

A lawsuit has been filed against OpenAI, alleging that its chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in the tragic suicide of a teenager named Adam Rain. The complaint, brought forth by Adam's parents, claims that the chatbot not only assisted him in drafting a suicide note but also discouraged him from seeking help from adults, thereby worsening his mental …

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AI Malware Detection by Microsoft; Rising Phishing Threats; Gartner's Urgent AI Integration Call 14:54

6d ago14:54

14:54

Microsoft has launched Project IR, an advanced AI capable of reverse-engineering malware with a remarkable 90% accuracy rate. This autonomous agent utilizes a combination of large language models and specialized cybersecurity tools to identify threats effectively, achieving a low false positive rate of just 2%. Recent tests demonstrated its capabil…

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Is the AI Bubble Bursting? GPT-5's Success, Four-Day Workweeks, and Talent Crisis Explored 16:16

7d ago16:16

16:16

Analysts are raising alarms about the potential for an AI economy bubble, reminiscent of the dot-com crash, as AI-related spending now constitutes about 2% of the U.S. GDP. This surge in investment, particularly following the launch of ChatGPT, has led to significant capital expenditures by major tech firms, consuming a large portion of America's i…

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95% of AI Pilots Fail; UK Drops Apple Encryption Demand; US Buys 10% of Intel with Taxpayer Funds 18:21

8d ago18:21

18:21

MIT's recent report reveals that a staggering 95% of enterprise generative AI pilot programs fail to deliver results, primarily due to poor execution rather than the quality of the AI models themselves. The study, which involved interviews with 150 leaders and a survey of 350 employees, highlights a significant learning gap in integrating these too…

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How Satellite-Powered IoT is Transforming Industries with AI and Edge Computing Innovations with Ian Itz 21:04

9d ago21:04

21:04

Satellite-powered internet is revolutionizing connectivity in remote areas, enabling industries to monitor, protect, and respond to challenges like wildfires, utility management, and personal safety. Ian Itz, Executive Director at Iridium Communications, discusses the innovations driving this transformation and highlights the potential for signific…

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Navigating SaaS Management and AI: Key Trends for MSPs from ChannelCon 2025 with John Harden 15:41

10d ago15:41

15:41

Dave Sobel interviews John Harden, the director of strategy and technology evangelism at Auvik, discussing the evolution of SaaS management and its growing adoption in the industry. Since Auvik's acquisition of SaaSlio in 2022, the company has invested significantly in engineering efforts to enhance its SaaS management capabilities. Harden highligh…

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Genie 3: An infinite world model with Shlomi Fruchter and Jack Parker-Holder 56:40

11d ago56:40

56:40

In this episode, Professor Hannah Fry speaks with Jack Parker-Holder and Shlomi Fruchter about Genie 3, a general-purpose world model that can generate an unprecedented diversity of interactive environments. The conversation covers how this model's auto-regressive nature allows for the creation of consistent, explorable worlds from text or image pr…

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Understanding AI Error Rates: Best Practices for MSPs in Workflow Automation and Project Management with Mike Psenka 17:05

11d ago17:05

17:05

Mike Psenka, CEO of Moovila, discusses the limitations and challenges of large foundational AI models, particularly in the context of their application in complex tasks. While these models have shown impressive capabilities, there is a growing concern about their reliability, especially when it comes to analyzing intricate data structures like grap…

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Microsoft Undercuts MSP Margins, Alert Fatigue Hits Security Teams, Intel's Bailout, AI Server Boom 15:58

12d ago15:58

15:58

Microsoft is facing backlash from managed service providers (MSPs) for not adequately protecting them against aggressive pricing strategies employed by larger licensing solution providers. These larger entities are reportedly undercutting smaller MSPs by as much as 20%, leading to significant margin erosion and increased competition. The Cloud Solu…

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Unlocking MSP Success: Mastering Customer Communication and Market Intelligence Strategies with Jennifer Oladipo 18:57

13d ago18:57

18:57

Dave Sobel interviews Jennifer Oladipo, an award-winning business and technology journalist turned consultant, about the communication challenges faced by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in their sales processes. Jennifer emphasizes that while MSPs are often perceived as poor at sales, they excel in consultative selling. The real issue lies in the…

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Navigating Client Uncertainty: AI, Cybersecurity, and Women in Leadership in MSPs with Jennifer Roy 12:05

14d ago12:05

12:05

Jennifer Roy, CEO of Nucleus Networks, discusses her transition from COO to CEO and the broader responsibilities that come with the role. She emphasizes the shift from a narrow focus on operations to a more comprehensive involvement in various business areas, including sales, marketing, finance, and HR. Despite the turbulent market conditions, part…

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Michael Fass on Slide's Focused Backup Strategy and the Future of MSPs in a Changing Market 19:52

15d ago19:52

19:52

Michael Fass, co-founder and CEO of Slide, discusses the company's focused approach to backup solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Unlike many companies that aim to be all-encompassing platforms, Slide is dedicated solely to being the best backup provider in the market. Fass emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique needs of …

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From Phishing to AI: How SMBs Can Strengthen Cybersecurity with Simple Strategies with Ann Westerheim 14:53

16d ago14:53

14:53

Ann Westerheim, founder and president of Ekaru, discusses the concept of "last mile services" in technology, emphasizing the importance of making advanced IT and cybersecurity accessible to small businesses. Drawing from her background in the semiconductor industry, she highlights the gap between cutting-edge technology and its practical applicatio…

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Agentic AI Transforms MSPs: From Service Dispatch to Managed Intelligence Providers with Rich Freeman 44:59

17d ago44:59

44:59

Agentic AI is transitioning from demonstration to real-world application, particularly through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which transforms traditional RMM and PSA systems into more interactive and efficient tools. This shift is expected to significantly impact ticket management, service level agreements (SLAs), and profit margins for managed…

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AI and Data Management: Why Speed Matters More Than Scale in Today's Business Landscape with Robert Buda 16:17

18d ago16:17

16:17

Dave Sobel interviews Robert Buda, founder and president of Buda Consulting, about the critical role of data management in the age of AI. Buda emphasizes that while the principles of data management remain unchanged, the speed at which organizations must adapt to new technologies has increased dramatically. He argues that ensuring data quality is m…

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Tariffs Impacting Inflation, AI Adoption Struggles, and Cybersecurity Changes Under Trump Orders 17:53

19d ago17:53

17:53

Tariffs imposed during the Trump administration are now impacting businesses, leading to layoffs and price increases as companies adapt to rising costs. Outdoor brand KAVU has implemented cost-saving measures, including freezing marketing spending and limiting employee travel, while preparing to raise prices due to escalating tariffs on imports fro…

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Cyber Budgets Shrink, GPT-5 Faces Backlash, FedRAMP Speeds Up, Vendors Squeeze MSPs 17:47

20d ago17:47

17:47

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is facing significant criticism from state and local officials who feel abandoned due to diminishing federal support for critical cybersecurity programs. Many officials are concerned about their increasing reliance on self-driven initiatives, especially after cuts to the Multi-State Inform…

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AWS, Azure, Google Dominate Cloud Market; GPT-5 Disappointment and AI Job Market Struggles 14:55

21d ago14:55

14:55

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud dominate the infrastructure-as-a-service market, controlling 71% of the market share. This concentration is driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, with global cloud spending projected to exceed $700 billion in 2025. The economic impact of AI is significant, as evidenced by Micro…

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OpenAI Launches GPT-5 Amid User Backlash, Intel CEO Faces Resignation Calls, N-able Grows 9% 15:51

22d ago15:51

15:51

OpenAI has launched its latest AI model, GPT-5, which boasts significant advancements over its predecessor, GPT-4.0. CEO Sam Altman likens the impact of GPT-5 to the revolutionary introduction of the first iPhone with a retina display. The new model features enhanced capabilities, including dynamic reasoning, a larger context window, and the abilit…

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AI's Baby Tiger Metaphor: How to Manage Risks and Accountability in Business Leadership with Noelle Russell 23:17

23d ago23:17

23:17

Noelle Russell, CEO of the AI Institute, discusses the metaphor of the "baby tiger" to illustrate the potential dangers of unchecked AI development. She explains that while AI models may seem cute and harmless at first, they can grow into powerful and unpredictable entities if not properly managed. Russell emphasizes the importance of asking critic…

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From McDonald's to Online Communities: The Role of Automation in Trust and Human Experience 36:35

24d ago36:35

36:35

Automation is reshaping workflows across various industries, from fast food to creative production, prompting a shift towards smaller, trust-based online communities. The discussion centers on the balance between efficiency and maintaining authentic human connections in the age of AI. Kate O'Neill, a tech humanist and founder of Kao Insights, empha…

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Transforming Cybersecurity: From Risk Management to Business Outcomes with Nett Lynch 22:39

25d ago22:39

22:39

Nett Lynch, a cybersecurity leader and strategic VCIO advisor, discusses the importance of translating complex security frameworks into actionable business outcomes. She emphasizes that clients are primarily concerned with their business goals and overcoming obstacles rather than the technical details of security frameworks. To effectively communic…

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Ransomware Attacks Surge, Google AI Vulnerabilities Exposed, and New Malware Analysis Tool Released 19:33

26d ago19:33

19:33

Two sophisticated ransomware groups, Akira and Lynx, are increasingly targeting managed service providers (MSPs) and small businesses by exploiting stolen credentials and vulnerabilities. Together, they have compromised over 365 organizations, with Akira targeting major firms like Hitachi Vantara and Lynx focusing on critical infrastructure, includ…

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AI Agents Transform SaaS Pricing, Microsoft Faces Security Flaws, and Delta Clarifies AI Pricing 18:33

27d ago18:33

18:33

Artificial intelligence agents are significantly transforming the landscape of software-as-a-service (SaaS) pricing, moving away from traditional per-seat licenses towards usage and outcome-based models. Gartner predicts that by 2030, 40% of enterprise spending on software will shift to these new pricing structures, prompting businesses to reassess…

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SMBs Invest in AI, Microsoft and Amazon Report Strong Earnings Amid Labor Market Concerns 16:59

28d ago16:59

16:59

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence (AI), with a significant portion planning to allocate between $25,000 and $1 million towards technology this year. A recent GTIA survey revealed that 63% of SMBs believe AI will be the most impactful technology in the next two years, and 65% of executives…

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Austin McChord on Slide: Building a Better BCDR for MSPs and Lessons from Datto's Journey 28:15

29d ago28:15

28:15

Austin McChord, co-founder and chairman of Slide, discusses the launch of his new BCDR startup, which aims to serve managed service providers (MSPs) with a fresh approach. Drawing from his experience at Datto, McChord emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong culture and alignment with MSPs, which he feels has eroded in recent years. He add…

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Navigating AI Adoption and Cybersecurity in Regulated Financial Firms: Insights from Triada Networks with Raffi Jamgotchian 11:46

1M ago11:46

11:46

Dave Sobel interviews Raffi Jamgotchian, founder and CEO of Triada Networks, about the current landscape of AI adoption in the financial services sector, particularly among small to medium-sized investment firms. Jamgotchian notes that while some clients are eager to embrace AI, others remain hesitant, mirroring trends seen with cloud technology. F…

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Exploring GTIA's Future: Dan Wensley on Membership Expansion, Community, and Technology Impact 19:03

1M ago19:03

19:03

Dan Wensley, the new CEO of GTIA, discusses his vision for the organization, emphasizing the importance of expanding membership and enhancing the value provided to both member companies and individual members. With 2,411 member companies and over 212,000 individual members, Wensley aims to grow these numbers by effectively communicating the benefit…

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The Future of MSPs: Syncro's Insights on AI, Automation, and Competing in a Changing Market with Michael George and Dee Zepf 40:24

1M ago40:24

40:24

Michael George, CEO of Syncro, and Dee Zepf, Chief Product Officer, discuss the evolving landscape of managed service providers (MSPs) and the transformative potential of AI in their operations. They reflect on how automation has been a longstanding goal in the industry, but recent advancements in AI and technology have accelerated this evolution. …

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Kaseya's New CEO Rania Succar on Innovation, MSP Partnerships, and Customer Experience Revamp 28:34

1M ago28:34

28:34

Rania Succar, the new CEO of Kaseya, discusses her vision for the company at a crucial time for both Kaseya and the managed service provider (MSP) ecosystem. With Kaseya facing scrutiny over customer service and billing practices, Succar emphasizes the importance of innovation and a cultural reset to strengthen relationships with MSP partners. She …

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Skillfully's AI Innovations: Streamlining Hiring with Realistic Job Simulations with Brett Waikart 23:48

1M ago23:48

23:48

AI is revolutionizing the hiring process by enhancing human interaction and focusing on skills rather than traditional resumes. Brett Waikart, co-founder of Skillfully, explains how their platform utilizes AI to create realistic job simulations that allow candidates to demonstrate their skills in a practical setting. This approach addresses the cha…

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AI's Impact on Data Privacy: Why Security Frameworks Must Evolve for 2025 with Yasir Ali 21:19

1M ago21:19

21:19

Yasir Ali, CEO of Polymer, discusses the shortcomings of current security frameworks, emphasizing their outdated nature and lack of real verification. He argues that many organizations still rely on signed statements without providing tangible evidence of compliance with security controls. This disconnect has become increasingly problematic, especi…

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US Economy Shows Resilience; Major Tech Firms Lay Off Workers While AI Spending Soars 17:10

1M ago17:10

17:10

The U.S. economy is demonstrating resilience with strong consumer spending and low unemployment filings, despite looming inflation and tariff pressures. Retail sales rose by 0.6% in June, surpassing expectations and indicating solid growth in gross domestic product for the second quarter. However, concerns about rising import costs, which saw their…

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The Future of Legal Tech: Jonathan Rhyne on AI's Role in Document Workflow and Accountability 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Jonathan Rhyne transitioned from a career in law to founding Nutrient, a technology company specializing in AI-driven document intelligence and workflow automation. After leaving his law firm in 2011, he identified a significant gap in the market for digital document solutions, particularly in the B2B space. Nutrient has since grown to serve thousa…

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The Future of AI in Document Intelligence: Balancing Automation and Human Accountability with Ryan Morris 43:57

1M ago43:57

43:57

The episode explores the strategic implications of managed services offerings, such as managed cameras and connectivity solutions, questioning whether they are genuine growth opportunities or mere distractions for IT service providers. Host Dave Sobel and guest Ryan Morris discuss the importance of continuous investment in research and development …

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AI Job Demand Soars 985%, Trust Issues Emerge, VMware Faces Security Patch Crisis 16:28

1M ago16:28

16:28

Agentic AI has emerged as the leading technological trend according to McKinsey's latest report, with job postings for these roles skyrocketing by nearly 985% between 2023 and 2024. This surge reflects a growing interest in AI systems capable of performing complex tasks autonomously. Alongside this trend, the report highlights the importance of dig…

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AI Oversight Eases as Trump Pushes Exports; 400+ Breaches from SharePoint Zero Day Attack 12:27

1M ago12:27

12:27

The Trump administration has unveiled a new AI action plan that emphasizes deregulation and the promotion of American AI exports, raising concerns among regulated industries. The initiative aims to foster American leadership in the AI sector by reducing environmental regulations for data centers and advocating for the export of AI technologies. How…

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OpenAI's Usage Surge, Kindrel's AI Framework, and the Comeback of Dedicated Servers 16:35

1M ago16:35

16:35

OpenAI has released a new economic analysis showcasing the extensive impact of its AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, on productivity across various sectors. The report reveals that over half a billion people globally utilize OpenAI's AI tools, with a significant portion of users in the U.S. reporting that they use ChatGPT for work. However, a survey …

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Half of MSPs Prepare for Ransomware, SaaS Security Gaps, and Open AI Servers Found 12:06

1M ago12:06

12:06

Managed service providers (MSPs) are increasingly allocating budgets for ransomware payments, with a recent report indicating that 45% have set aside funds specifically for this purpose. This trend raises concerns about normalizing the act of paying criminals, as many experts argue that such practices inadvertently support criminal activities. Whil…

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Microsoft SharePoint Flaw Exposes Thousands; Fortune 100 Firms Push FullReturn to Oﬃce 13:44

1M ago13:44

13:44

Retail sales in the U.S. show a surprising rebound, rising by 0.6% in June, driven primarily by auto dealership sales, but concerns linger regarding inflation's impact on consumer demand. The episode also highlights a critical Microsoft SharePoint flaw that exposes thousands of servers globally and Forrester's recommendations for IT leaders to pivo…

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From Data to AI: How ProArch Transforms Industries with Smart Start and Microsoft Solutions with Santosh Kaveti 20:16

1M ago20:16

20:16

Santosh Kaveti, founder and CEO of ProArch, discusses the critical steps organizations must take to operationalize AI effectively. His company specializes in helping clients across various sectors, including power, manufacturing, and healthcare, bridge the gap between IT and operational technology systems. Kaveti emphasizes the importance of data r…

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From Legacy to Cloud: How MSPs Can Leverage Intune for Effective Endpoint Management with Hugo Salazar and Rolando Jimenez 51:29

2M ago51:29

51:29

Dave Sobel hosts a sponsored webinar discussing the modern endpoint management capabilities of Microsoft Intune, particularly its relevance for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The session features Rolando Jimenez, a technical trainer at Nerdio, and Hugo Salazar, a Go Live engineer, who share their insights and experiences with Intune. They explor…

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Delta's AI Pricing Sparks Trust Issues, OpenAI's ChatGPT Agent Goes Autonomous, Intel Cuts Jobs 14:59

2M ago14:59

14:59

Delta Airlines is set to revolutionize its pricing strategy by implementing artificial intelligence to determine the maximum price customers are willing to pay for flights. This shift aims for AI to influence 20% of ticket prices by the end of the year, a significant increase from the current 3%. The technology, developed by travel firm Fetcher, an…

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Microsoft Cuts 9,000 Jobs, Boosts AI Partner Incentives; OpenAI Expands Multi-Cloud E-Commerce Tools 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

Microsoft is undergoing a significant restructuring, placing artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of its strategy. The company has announced the layoff of approximately 9,000 employees, primarily targeting generalist sales roles, as it shifts towards a model that prioritizes technical expertise over traditional relationship-building in sal…

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Windows 10 Cutoff and VMware Licensing Chaos: MSPs Must Navigate New Cybersecurity Demands 15:46

2M ago15:46

15:46

Managed service providers (MSPs) are increasingly becoming essential partners for mid-market organizations, with a recent Barracuda Networks survey revealing that 85% of firms with 1,000 to 2,000 employees now depend on MSPs for integrated security support. This shift highlights the growing complexity of cybersecurity challenges that these organiza…

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AI Breakthroughs: 92% Health Accuracy, Nonprofit Literacy Tools, and Coding Tool Challenges 18:14

2M ago18:14

18:14

A recent study supported by Apple reveals that a new artificial intelligence model, known as the wearable behavior model, can flag health conditions with an impressive accuracy of 92%. This model, trained on over 2.5 billion hours of data from wearable devices, outperforms traditional health prediction methods that rely solely on basic biometric me…

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Critical Vulnerabilities in Kaseya and McDonald's Chatbot Highlight MSP Security Risks 12:26

2M ago12:26

12:26

A recent report by Auvik reveals significant challenges faced by managed service providers (MSPs), highlighting issues such as tool sprawl, burnout among IT professionals, and the increasing reliance on IT generalists. The report indicates that 50% of MSPs use over ten tools to manage client networks, with many professionals experiencing high level…

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Rethinking Cybersecurity: Why Traditional MFA Fails and the Future of Phishing-Resistant Solutions with Bob Burke 21:11

2M ago21:11

21:11

Bob Burke, Chief Information Security Officer at Beyond Identity, challenges the effectiveness of traditional multi-factor authentication (MFA) in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. He argues that legacy MFA solutions, which often rely on out-of-band authorization methods like push notifications or one-time passwords, are no longer sufficient…