Technologies advancing remote work

2021 will be a year for the enterprise (large and small) to build out or course correct what they implemented in haste due to COVID-19. We see how much technology helped and continues to help us navigate the pandemic, an example being Zoom as the default “Kleenex” type reference for all video conferencing now. There is a reason why the CCaaS business is booming – many deploying it for analytics and reporting relating to workforce optimization and remote work. And why companies like Twilio have surging stock pricing due to APIs syncing communication platforms with business applications – think remote restaurant ordering, pickup and end-to-end customer/business communications.

• Scalability
• Cost savings
• Ease of management
• Coupling of services

Computing has been moving to the edge as companies recognize the benefits of processing closer to where data is generated. The number of connected devices is more than we have ever seen, propelled by remote workforces with mini computers aka smartphones on themselves at all times, demanding instant data transfers. Edge computing brings better performance capabilities, reduced network latency and bandwidth usage. In some instances, for example when involving autonomous vehicles or critical medical devices, latency can prove very dangerous, perhaps a difference in life or death, making edge computing necessary for localized data processing, allowing for faster response times and only relevant data sent back to the cloud for storage.

As edge computing becomes more necessary due to increased IoT consumption, so does the need for security. So, how do businesses address security when it comes to edge computing?

Security operations center as a service (SOCaaS) and managed detection and response (MDR) are managed cybersecurity services that provide intrusion detection of ransomware/malware and malicious activity in the network and assist in rapid incident response to eliminate those threats with concise remediation actions. Typically, SOCaaS and MDR combine with technology solutions that have outsourced security analysts to extend security technologies and team.

We hear it all the time – it’s not if a business will fall victim to a cyber attack but when. As the working world has moved from the controlled office environment to remote models, security is a major IT topic, bringing major opportunity for partners. Customers are looking for effective cybersecurity that they can quickly and easily deploy while still providing air-tight protection. A recent study found that 7 in 10 organizations are looking to increase their investments in security technologies.

To meet growing business needs and demand, providers continue to develop more desirable security solutions, offering cloud-based services and utilizing advanced technologies, incorporating AI and zero trust capabilities. Keeping up with all that is happening in cybersecurity can be daunting and in some cases, nearly impossible.

Download TBI’s security eBook to get everything you need to know now about what is happening now and how to thrive in the new world of cybersecurity. The eBook includes -

• 2020 Forecasting
• Top Data Breaches
• Impact of COVID-19
• Remote Work Risk Factors & Recommendations
• Trending Solutions & Spending
• Security Must-Haves
• Industry Targets
• Discovery Questions
• Recommended Providers
• Security Resources Cheat Sheet

5 Days, 5 Takeaways – Recap of TBI’s BIG Event 2020

TBI hosted our fifth annual BIG Event on August 17^th through 21^st. Not only was this year bigger than ever – 5 days, 30+ sessions, 40+ providers – it was completely virtual! Taking place for a couple hours each day throughout the week, we addressed some of the biggest IT topics concerning businesses right now. Each day focused on a different subject – Emerging Tech & Mobility, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Cloud Communications and Collaboration, and Next Gen Networking. Partners were able to maximize their time by attending the sessions of their choice and booking 1on1 meetings directly with providers. In case you were not able to attend or missed a session, we’ve made replays available here. If you want the opportunity to connect with a specific provider, reach out to your Channel Manager to facilitate a meeting.

Reflecting on this year’s BIG Event, we put together five key takeaways, one for each day of the event.

Let’s be very clear - hackers do not discriminate. They’re after any and every opportunity to snatch data, make money, disrupt business and cause chaos. In case you missed it at TBI’s BIG Event 2020, a white hat hacker showed us exactly how easy it is to hack into a device during Hold My Beer While I Hack This Smartphone – watch here. Businesses big and small can fall prey, and you and your customers need to be aware. So far this year, we’ve seen some big-name companies, with presumable top-notch security, become victims. The pandemic seems to be a catalyst for many of the biggest breaches that have taken place in 2020. Check out some of the most headline grabbing examples of the reality and severity of cyberattacks.

COVID-19 has led to an onslaught of cyber security incidents, forcing organizations to act swiftly to protect themselves. As the threat landscape evolves, so do the security solutions. Are you up to date on the latest?

Security solutions are seeing an upgrade, incorporating cutting edge technologies. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are now being baked into security services, helping to identify and respond to threats faster than humanly possible. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) services now offer greater monitoring through extensions from network to the cloud, and managed detection and response (MDR) offerings are available as SaaS options for even quicker deployment. Authentication technology has also seen advancements, using new user identification methods to verify secure access. Many businesses are embracing the zero trust model leading providers to create stricter controls and micro-segmentation features.

Download this free white label doc to inform your customers about what is available now and how these solutions can keep their business secure. Brand with your own logo and contact information.

SSG Construction, a company renovating facilities on a remote Southern California military base, needed high-speed internet to communicate with its field teams and share real-time data.

With up to 20 employees and 30 subcontractors, SSG needed to keep its teams connected and informed. Often working at sites with no permanent address and outside the cable, fiber, and cell zones, internet connectivity proved tough to find at the speeds SSG needed to operate.

Businesses across all industries are dealing with cybersecurity concerns right now as the threat landscape continues to increase and hackers only become more aggressive. Three of the most targeted sectors are finance, healthcare and retail, due to their handling of valuable personal data. With cybersecurity being a top priority for customers and prospects within these industries, there is opportunity for you as a selling agent – if you can speak their language.

It is important to understand the unique challenges and requirements businesses within these industries are facing, such as PCI DSS in retail or HIPAA in healthcare, to show that you are familiar with their needs and can present the right solutions.

Download now three free vendor-agnostic, white label documents specific to finance, healthcare and retail, with each piece providing industry insights and top solutions. Easily customize this turnkey sales collateral by simply adding your own logo and contact information

A huge cybersecurity problem facing many businesses, even large corporations, is the lack of a strong cybersecurity workforce. A report shared by Security Magazine found that 76% of cybersecurity leaders believe their company is lacking cybersecurity skills, and there are over 314,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the US according to Cyber Seek. In an alarming prediction from Cybersecurity Ventures, unfilled cybersecurity jobs around the world are only expected to increase, reaching 3.5 million by 2021, up from 1.5 million in 2015.

How a CIO switched providers and saved the day.

by Anthony Leggio, Vice President of Finance Solutions, AT&T Business

Technology solutions and applications essential for businesses in a post-COVID market
by AT&T Business Editorial Team

It’s hard to believe it has been nearly 4 months since the U.S. enacted shelter-in-place measures to counteract the spread of COVID-19. In that time, we have seen an unprecedented perseverance on display from businesses, both large and small. Through ingenuity and innovation, companies across all industries have had to adapt to new customer dynamics and working environments.

The FBI reports a 300-400% increase in cybersecurity incidents since the pandemic began and Google reveals 18 million COVID-related phishing emails are now being blocked, daily. Risks and threats have rapidly multiplied as hackers prey on disenfranchised organizations and unplanned remote work. Most businesses today have security baked into their IT plans, but those plans need to be re-evaluated and assessed on an ongoing basis.

Arm yourself in the field with a complete set of security battlecards. Educate yourself and your customers on security options to keep their business protected. Focusing on top solutions, each battlecard provides an overview of the product, add-on solutions, provider shortlists, ideal customers and discovery questions to lead sales discussions.

Collection includes updated versions of existing security battlecards and four NEW solutions, including:

• Cybersecurity Training & Compliance NEW
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
• Endpoint Security
• Identity Access Management (IAM) NEW
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR) NEW
• Managed Firewall & Next-Gen Firewall (NGFW)
• Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scans
• Security Information & Events Monitoring (SIEM) NEW

Use these materials to speak knowledgeably on each topic, provide your customers with straightforward information and speed up the sales cycle.

Download the Complete Set of Security Battlecards.

As many people practice social distancing and in some cases isolation, technology has proven our greatest ally, keeping us connected person to person and business to consumer. Before the pandemic, people were already engaging with companies across multiple channels, by voice, text, chat, video, and social media, growing accustomed to choosing how we want to engage and getting a quick response. Now, as people are dispersed and businesses shut down, albeit temporary, these multi-channel communications have become vital. Companies and organizations have been resourceful during these uncertain times, exploring new outlets, some even changing business models as they move quickly to communicate in real-time with customers, employees and associates.

The response and urgency with which we all had to react to COVID-19 came on quickly. Suddenly, we found ourselves having to ramp up an offsite workforce, testing company productivity, IT teams and infrastructure. While some had remote employees or work from home policies, a completely remote workforce and IT infrastructure operating out of office was not a fully baked plan for most.

When cybersecurity events occur, they can have major - even devastating - effects on your customer’s business. Preparedness and prevention are key, but the number of protections and cybersecurity recommendations can be overwhelming. Where should your customer start? What if an attack or threat still happens, what do they do?

TBI’s Tech Gurus put together a simple step-by-step cybersecurity events plan to address each phase within an occurrence – prepare, defend, recover. Get a straightforward outline of recommended actions and specific solutions to address what is happening at each level, from protecting and detecting to responding and remedying. Have a handy shortlist of what solutions are best.

Download the Cybersecurity Events document for a quick reference guide to protect customers from cybersecurity occurrences.