AVANT Technology Insights with Ken Presti

In this episode, Rick Mischka, Cybersecurity Engineer at AVANT, sits down with Rob Pollard, Managing Director of Managed Security Services at Fortra, and Matt Sayler, Senior Product Manager at Fortra. Together, they discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the compliance sector. Compliance isn’t just about checking a box—it’s an ongoing challenge, especially with new regulations emerging every year. Rick, Rob, and Matt explore the game-changing benefits AI can bring to an organization's compliance efforts by helping businesses cut costs, reduce risks, and navigate new complexities with ease.

APIs are the backbone of modern digital communication, but their increasing adoption comes with rising security challenges. In this episode, Rick Mischka, Security Engineer at AVANT, sits down with Tony Lauro, Senior Director of Security Technology and Strategy at Akamai. Together, they explore the growing importance of API security. They dive into the nitty gritty, discussing how attackers are exploiting common vulnerabilities and how IT buyers can protect themselves with a layered defense strategy. Plus, they cover the role AI plays in enhancing API security. Listen in now to gain insights into the future of API security and learn how organizations can gain visibility and control over their APIs to stay ahead of threats.

Join Drew Lydecker, Co-Founder and President of AVANT, and Ross Artale, CEO of Spectrotel, as they explore the future of connectivity and managed network services. They cover everything from the rise of best-of-breed solutions to AI’s impact on telecommunications. Plus, Ross reveals how Spectrotel is delivering modern solutions that can outpace more traditional providers. Listen in and learn from these two industry experts!

To cloud or not to cloud? That's the question many businesses are grappling with when it comes to their communication platforms. While the cloud offers numerous advantages, it also brings risks that may not align with your company's risk tolerance. Fortunately, there's another option. In this episode of AVANT Technology Insights, John Paullin, Sales Engineer and Senior Analyst at AVANT, is joined by Jeremy Wubs, Chief Operating Officer of Sangoma, to explore a lesser-known solution: the hybrid communication model. Discover what this model entails, its key benefits, who's adopting it, and more—all in this insightful discussion.  

Join us as we dive into the future of cybersecurity with Tia Hopkins from eSentire! Explore how resilience in cybersecurity is redefining business continuity. Stephen and Tia discuss the power and purpose behind Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) as more than just tech, but a strategic program that keeps organizations prepared and protected. Perfect for security leaders looking to stay ahead of the rapid evolution of technology, this episode demystifies proactive threat management and resilience strategies that will make a lasting impact for businesses.

In this episode, Andrew Pryfogle, VP of Market Development at AVANT, spoke at length with Mike Tesler, the former CEO of Broadsoft and current Managing Partner at True North Advisory, about how businesses can stay competitive by adopting an agile approach to AI. They explore the layers of AI integration—from boosting productivity to uncovering new business opportunities—and address common fears and challenges associated with AI adoption. Plus, Mike shares powerful insights for leaders on how to set realistic expectations, communicate effectively, and foster a software-focused mindset to unlock the full power of these next-gen technologies. Whether you're just starting the AI journey or looking to refine your strategy, this episode offers valuable guidance for driving innovation in your organization.

In this episode, Sarah Arnstein, Sales Engineer and AVANT's resident SASE expert, sat down with Sangita Patel, Senior Director of Global Product Marketing at CATO to explore the SASE selection process in depth. They dive into key differences among various SASE providers in the market and offer actionable insights for stakeholders starting the conversation to determine the right technology fit for their company.

In this must-listen episode, Stephen Semmelroth, VP of Cyber Resilience at AVANT, teams up with Theresa Lanowitz, Chief Evangelist at LevelBlue! Together, they discuss the exciting changes behind Level Blue's recent rebranding and explore the groundbreaking insights from their just-released State of the Industry report. Want to know what’s shaking up executive leadership? Get ready to dive in and discover the game-changing trends that are redefining the industry! Learn more about the news mentioned in the podcast here >> Finance worker pays out $25 million after video call with deepfake ‘chief financial officer’ Check out the 2024 LevelBlue Futures™ Report: Cyber Resilience report here.  

Join us for this episode where Rick Mischka, Field Sales Engineer at AVANT, and James Beeson, Executive Cyber Advisor at CloudCom Group, delve into the crucial topics of business continuity and resilience. In their conversation, James guides listeners through the essential strategies for securing an organization. Rick and James also explore how to have impactful cybersecurity conversations that resonate with leadership and align with business goals. Tune in and elevate your understanding of security!

In this episode, Alex Danyluk, AVANT CSO and Managing Director AVANT Analytics, is joined by a true pioneer in the telecom industry. Mike Tessler, the former CEO of BroadSoft and current Managing Partner at True North Advisory, has not only witnessed the transformation of the PSTN network, but he has led the revolution! Throughout his career, Mike's work has made a significant impact on the market. Tune in as he shares his unique insights with Alex and podcast listeners and reveals what he's doing right now to change the game once again - and how Trusted Advisors and customers can participate in this new phase of disruption!

In this episode, Stephen Semmelroth, Head of Security at AVANT, hosts an engaging conversation with Brad Reynolds, SVP of AI and Chief Strategy Officer at Expedient. Together, they discuss the truths about AI that could transform an organization. Listen in as they reveal how AI can unlock hidden potential in organizational data and save valuable time for employees - and why the wrong AI implementation could spell disaster for a business. Plus, they'll explain to listeners how to know if their employees are already using AI, whether you know it or not!   Dive in for a thought-provoking discussion on the strategic business cases for AI and what IT decision-makers need to know to stay ahead.

In this episode of Technology Insights, Chris Werpy, CIO of AVANT, engages in a deep dive with Jason Ness, Founder and CEO of CommandLink. During this minute episode, Chris and Jason dive into a range of topics: they explore all things Channel, Jason's entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of SASE, what the future of AI and machine learning holds, and the impact of the Trusted Advisor movement AVANT has helped power forward.  Join us for what promises to be an insightful discussion!

Listen in as Drew Lydecker, President and Co-founder of AVANT, invites Colby Nish, Head of Americas Sales at Zoom, to discuss Zoom's long journey that has brought them to their current position in the technology landscape! Together, they dive into the future of AI and how Zoom will play a part. Zoom has evolved far beyond meetings to include chat, phone systems, webinars, workplace solutions, whiteboarding, and AI companions — all designed to enhance productivity simply and effectively, and their efforts are helping drive the evolution and innovation in artificial intelligence. Dive in to keep up to date on the latest trends in the communication space!

Listen in as Drew Lydecker, President and Co-founder of AVANT, hosts Frank Fawzi, CEO of IntelePeer and a prominent figure in the communication landscape. Together, they explore the journey towards becoming the next pioneer utilizing AI superpower. Their discussion spans diverse verticals, including healthcare, retail, logistics, and manufacturing, and they highlight how AI and automation are revolutionizing organizational efficiency. Tune in to discover how these technologies streamline contact center operations and elevate customer satisfaction and gain insights on the transformative potential of AI across industries!

In this episode of our Technology Insights, we welcome the Microsoft Security Partner of the Year, BlueVoyant, to the podcast! AVANT Analytics Senior Analyst, Stephen Semmelroth, and Executive Director of the Managed Security Center of Excellence at BlueVoyant, Micah Heaton, discuss the pros and cons of leveraging Microsoft for consolidation.   2024 is the year of consolidation here at AVANT, and BlueVoyant is one of the providers in our portfolio that offers robust support in this area. During the episode, Micah brings both his expertise and experience with Microsoft that he has gained throughout their partnership and offers a balanced view to share both the benefits and potential pitfalls you could encounter as an IT decision-maker for your organization.

In this episode of Technology Insights, we delve into the evolving Broadcom and VMware situation. Listen in as Niko O'Hara, Senior Analyst of AVANT Analytics, and Tony Scribner, CISO & Field CTO of Ntirety, answer important questions regarding the latest VMware updates. Is the situation as dire as it's made out to be? Have we weathered the worst of the uncertainty storm? Tune in to find out as we help listeners navigate this journey!   Looking for more resources on the VMware updates, once you've finished this episode? We recorded another Technology Insights episode, where our host and guest break down the impacts of the VMware changes for those being affected.   Our AVANT Cloud experts have also compiled answers to typical questions we're hearing about the VMware acquisition by Broadcom, as well as a list of helpful qualifying questions for Trusted Advisors to better understand their customers' predicament and open up the Cloud conversation.

In this Technology Insights podcast, the AVANT Analytics team, including AVANT CSO and Analytics Managing Director Alex Danyluk, and Engineering Practice Leads Andy Bird (CX), Chip Hoisington (Cloud/Colo), and Stephen Semmelroth (Security), dive into the state of disruption in technology. Together, they discuss the latest trends in Cloud, Colocation, Connectivity, Security, CX, UX, and much more. Listen in for a fast-paced discussion on how the industry is rapidly transitioning from legacy environments to the future. Get ready, because this episode will be a whirlwind!   Download the State of Disruption 2024 Report >> https://goavant.net/avant-analytics/state-of-disruption-report-2024/

In this episode, Chip Hoisington, Senior Analyst at AVANT Analytics, and James Ochoa, VP of Cloud at Flexential, delve into the VMware situation. Together, they discuss the impacts customers will likely experience as a result of the program updates, as well as the steps organizations can take to better prepare for success amidst these significant changes. Join us for an insightful conversation to understand why this situation has caused such a massive ripple effect for customers and technology advisors alike and what your options are, in response.

Colocation is experiencing a resurgence in popularity! What's behind this renewed interest in popularity? Join Alex Danyluk, Managing Director of AVANT Analytics, and Chip Hoisington, Senior Director of Connectivity, Colo, and Wireless at AVANT, as they delve into the current Colo landscape. Discover why, after a decade of prioritizing cloud strategies, some are returning to data centers and others are venturing into them for the first time. Let's explore together! Listen in to get started.

In this episode, Alex Danyluk, Managing Director of AVANT Analytics, and Brent Wilford, Senior Director of Customer Experience and UCaaS at AVANT, focus on the outlook of the UCaaS industry. The good news? Businesses of all sizes can adopt UCaaS from various providers. So, what's the challenge? With an abundance of providers, determining the best fit for your business can be complicated. They explore what IT decision-makers should keep in mind as they evaluate potential providers. Plus, they discuss the common conception that Microsoft Team is a dominant player with the highest number of voice seats. Is this true? Listen in to find out!