The Tech Blog Writer Podcast - Inspired Tech Startup Stories & Interviews With Tech Leaders, Entrepreneurs And Innovators

In this compelling episode of Tech Talks Daily, we delve into a hot topic that concerns us all: internet privacy. Zenobia Godschalk, the Founder of ZAG Communications and Senior Vice President of Communications for Hedera Hashgraph, joins me to explore the notion of personal data being bought and sold online and how we, the people, have become "the product." With a wealth of experience in high-tech PR, blockchain, and cybersecurity, Zenobia shares her insights on how we can utilize blockchain technology to shape the internet that we deserve rather than the internet that we have today. She takes us on a deep dive into the world of Web3 and its transformative potential for application builders, developers, and businesses. We explore the real-world adoption of blockchain and DLT, focusing on their vital role in the future of business and the benefits they can bring. Zenobia provides valuable tips and tools for enterprise architects, enabling them to enhance their blockchain security practices and navigate the ev

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with Raghu Nandakumara, a seasoned cybersecurity expert and Head of Industry Solutions at Illumio, a company at the forefront of zero trust segmentation technology. Raghu brings us insights into where business leaders need to focus their attention to achieve maximum ROI on cybersecurity investments. We dive deep into the critical importance of proving ROI in the first six months of deployment, discussing how vendors need to support businesses in achieving a quick payback. We explore an ideal ROI percentage and compare how Illumio measures up against industry averages. Raghu also highlights the often overlooked and less quantifiable benefits that can't be ignored. These range from the growing institutional knowledge to the regulatory compliance benefits. We address why many organizations do a poor job of tracking ROI on security products post-purchase and how this trend needs to change. We also examine the findings from the Forrester Total Economic Impact of Illu

In this thought-provoking episode of Tech Talks Daily, we dive into the cutting-edge insights from the Accenture Technology Vision 2023 report titled "When Atoms Meet Bits: The Foundations of Our New Reality." Joining us is Michael Biltz from Accenture, who sheds light on the transformative technology trends shaping the convergence of the physical and digital worlds. Michael and our host Neil explore the fascinating world of generative AI and its potential to augment human capability as a co-pilot, creative partner, or advisor. Discover how generative AI is poised to spark significant creativity and innovation while ushering in a new era of enterprise intelligence. With as much as 40% of working hours expected to be supported or augmented by language-based AI, Michael explains why AI foundation models are crucial for organizations' future strategies. The discussion deepens into the strategic importance of digital identity technologies, the authentication of digital users and assets, and how they form the foun

I sit down with Ryan George, the CMO of Docupace, a leading cloud-based fintech platform transforming the back office processes in the financial services industry. With over 15 years of marketing and communications experience in finance, Ryan shares his journey and how he became a driving force in modernizing and digitizing the back office. Discover the transformative trends in fintech and wealth management tech as Ryan sheds light on what's worth paying attention to and what might be overhyped, including the role of cryptocurrency and the potential impact of AI in the industry's future. The COVID pandemic accelerated the back office revolution in wealth management, and Ryan emphasizes the importance of digitizing and transforming these processes to enhance efficiency and improve the client experience. Learn how Docupace's platform played a significant role in transforming operations for leading financial firms like RBC wealth management by reducing processing time and paperwork rejections. Docupace's impress

I have the pleasure of hosting Slava Podmurnyi, the Co-Founder and CEO of Visartech, a leading software technology partner specializing in custom software solutions. With over 13 years of experience in applying technology to diverse business niches, Slava brings a unique perspective and valuable insights to the table. Join us as Slava shares his journey, starting with WizardTech Incorporated, a game development studio that evolved into Visartech, with a laser focus on AR and 3D solutions. Discover how Visartech has become a reliable tech partner, helping businesses tackle major challenges and turn them into intelligent and interactive solutions. Slava's expertise spans various areas, including digital twin ecosystems, metaverse platforms, and SaaS products. Tune in as he discusses the significance of adopting new technologies and remote work in today's business landscape. Learn how optimizing IT infrastructure with DevOps practices can save business funds while building a strong foundation for applications. E

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I am thrilled to have Mara Cairo, the Product Owner of Advanced Technology at Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII), as our guest. Mara is a trailblazer in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, with a passion for leveraging AI for the greater good. With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and esteemed designations as a P.Eng. and PMP, Mara brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Prior to joining AMII, she made significant contributions in the hardware development space, helping clients bring their products to market with a specific focus on micro- and nano-technology. At AMII, Mara leads a dynamic technical team that empowers industries to build their internal machine learning capacity. By collaborating with clients committed to advancing AI adoption, Mara's team tackles the most challenging business problems using machine learning. Their transformative solutions span across diverse industries, including agriculture, health,

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I sit down with cybersecurity expert Richard Hummel from NETSCOUT to explore the alarming rise of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks in the digital landscape. Richard unveils the key findings from NETSCOUT's 5th Anniversary DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the new threat landscape. With an average visibility of a staggering 401 Tbps of internet traffic and over two decades of data from more than 500 internet service providers (ISPs), NETSCOUT's ATLAS platform presents crucial insights into the evolving tactics of adversaries. From the emergence of direct-path bot attacks dominating the attack toolkit to the increasing complexity and motivations behind DDoS attacks, Neil and Richard delve into the growing challenges faced by enterprises and service providers alike. Learn about the dangerous trends observed in the second half of 2022, such as the surge in bandwidth and throughput, the prevalence of multi-vector attacks, an

In this intriguing episode, I welcome David El, Malware Researcher at CyberArk, to discuss the underbelly of popular communication platforms like Discord. While the recent Pentagon document leaks via Discord have alerted us to the platform's potential misuse, new research from CyberArk Labs has shed light on the magnitude of these threats. David delves into the specifics of the newly discovered malware, its operations, the implications it poses, and the indicators of compromise (IOCs) organizations should watch out for. He takes us behind the scenes, narrating how they unearthed a burgeoning cybercrime group while infiltrating their Discord server. As more large enterprises adopt Discord for their strategic communications, this malware heightens the risk of opening up networks to command and control attacks. David enlightens us on this increasing threat and the advanced preventative measures required to guard against it. Throughout the episode, we also discuss the attractiveness of Discord and similar platfor

Today, I'm joined by Vishal Soni, a trailblazer in the realms of data analytics, machine learning, and process automation at Alteryx. In this day and age, with escalating environmental concerns and stricter regulatory norms, Vishal's work in harnessing technology to optimize energy usage, reduce ecological footprint, and unlock significant cost savings for businesses becomes particularly salient. Our conversation delves into the crucial importance of energy optimization for enterprises, the transformative potential of technology in this sphere, and the promising future prospects of this field. Join us as we navigate the complex interplay of data, technology, and energy optimization. Through this enriching discussion, Vishal shares his insights on how automation and data analytics can revolutionize the way companies assess and enhance their energy usage. We also explore the role of AI in identifying, monitoring, and reducing energy wastage, along with the significance of integrating diverse streams of energy c

Join me in this insightful episode as I converse with Luc van Huystee, the Vice President of Mobility at TD SYNNEX, an innovative leader in the global IT ecosystem, which has been recently acclaimed as the 2023 Microsoft Operational Excellence Partner of the Year! Van Huystee, a veteran with over a decade of expertise in mobility, SmartHome, Metaverse, and AR/VR solutions, discusses the compelling journey of TD SYNNEX and its significant role in transforming the technology industry. Dive into the conversation as we explore the rapid advancements in AR/VR, SmartHome tech, and the burgeoning Metaverse, and learn how TD SYNNEX is carving out its unique niche in these emerging domains by focusing on commercial applications and assisting vendors in crafting solutions. We also delve into topics such as remote assistance potential, the rise of smart home technology, the crucial role of maximizing IT investments for clients, and TD SYNNEX's firm commitment towards fostering diversity and inclusion in its operations.

Join us on this episode of Tech Talks Daily, where I sit down with Simon Hodgkinson, the former Chief Information Security Officer at BP and current strategic advisor at Semperis. Transitioning from the role of a CISO to a strategic advisor, Simon delves into his journey and emphasizes the critical importance of prioritizing secure Active Directory for IT departments across all industries. Simon enlightens us about Semperis, an innovative solution that focuses on Active Directory security and recovery. By continuously monitoring for configuration drift and automatically remediating issues, Semperis stands as a crucial line of defense against potential threats. In this enlightening discussion, Simon elaborates on the importance of recovering Active Directory and how Semperis automates this process. He also provides insights into the common strategies hackers employ to exploit Active Directory, highlighting the challenges that come with securing hybrid identity environments. Further into the episode, our conver

I am joined by Raphaëlle d’Ornano, Founder and Managing Partner at D’Ornano + Co., a leading global advisory firm. D’Ornano + Co. has revolutionized the analysis of tech and tech-enabled companies, focusing on their long-term resilience and investment potential. Raphaëlle sheds light on the transformative technology shaping the investment landscape and urges businesses to consider counter-intuitive ways to navigate emerging tech trends. She provides thought-provoking insights into how specific sectors such as ClimateTech, AgTech, and HealthTech are paving the way for the next wave of business innovation. Our conversation delves deep into the inner workings of D’Ornano+Co and Raphaëlle's journey to pioneer a new form of due diligence – one that caters specifically to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by tech and tech-enabled businesses.  In a volatile economic environment, assessing risk accurately is more crucial than ever, especially for tech companies. Raphaëlle discusses the hurdles that te

In today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, we are joined by Mark Kaufmann, the CEO of LingQ, an innovative language-learning app. LingQ has recently made headlines for announcing the addition of Swahili to their extensive catalogue of languages, raising their total to 42 languages on offer. Swahili, spoken by over 100 million people across East and Central Africa, represents LingQ's first venture into African languages. The LingQ platform focuses on providing an authentic learning experience, offering lessons from real-life conversations, news articles, videos, and much more, making language learning as immersive and engaging as possible. Join us as Mark takes us through his journey from professional hockey player to tech entrepreneur, drawing inspiration from his experiences in different countries, his father's passion for language learning, and encounters with immigrants. The genesis of LingQ is a story of continuous learning and pivot, culminating in a successful multi-language learning platform. We delve int

I host Ahad Khan, the CEO of Kajabi, a revolutionary all-in-one platform designed for knowledge entrepreneurs and creators to build, market, and sell educational content. In the age of the "Great Resignation," millions of people are breaking traditional employment chains to start their own ventures. However, the risks and difficulties associated with entrepreneurship can be discouraging. Ahad discusses how Kajabi is offering a solution, enabling individuals to monetize their expertise without sacrificing their day jobs or making substantial time and capital investments. As we delve deeper into Kajabi's functionality, we explore how it provides a single, user-friendly platform to publish, market, and sell a variety of digital products, including online courses, membership sites, and communities. Kajabi has been instrumental in fostering the success of tens of thousands of entrepreneurs. The company is valued at $2 billion and empowered over 60,000 creators to collectively earn more than $5bn, reaching mo

Greg Hanson, GVP platform sales specialist at Informatica, joins me on Tech Talks Daily in an engaging conversation where we explore the innovative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for data management, highlighting the capabilities of Generative AI and the industry-first CLAIRE GPT launched by Informatica. We dive deep into the advancements and applications of Generative AI, exploring its role in simplifying data management through automation. Greg discusses how AI is helping organizations like Ericsson and Unilever become data-driven and make sustainable decisions, addressing ESG requirements and even solving supply chain shortages. Starting with their own journeys, Greg and Ed share their experiences and insights into how AI is transforming data management, enabling companies to digitize, innovate, and operate intelligently. We dive deep into the advancements and applications of Generative AI, exploring its role in simplifying data management through automation. Greg discusses how AI is helping org

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I welcome Ed Williams, VP, Consulting, Professional Services at Trustwave, a global leader in managed security services. Ed brings invaluable insights into the challenges and strategies around communicating cybersecurity risks and solutions within an organization, particularly between CISOs and the less technically inclined C-suite. Ed kicks off the conversation by sharing his unique journey into the cybersecurity field and his experiences, including an unexpected appearance in a Bollywood film. We then delve into the heart of the matter - the struggle CISOs face when conveying technical risks to the C-suite. Ed provides his top tips for effective communication, highlighting the importance of simplifying language, prioritizing key security topics, and aligning these with business metrics to demonstrate their impact on the bottom line. Our conversation further explores the critical role regular communication and collaboration play in building a resilient cybersecurity infra

In this thought-provoking, I'm joined by Andrew Bud, CEO of iProov, the global leader in face biometric verification and authentication technology. As we delve into the evolving world of deepfakes, we unpack the security implications for businesses and individuals alike. Andrew kicks off the conversation by sharing crucial insights into the security risks of using voice replication as a biometric verification method. With generative AI technologies becoming increasingly advanced, it has become alarmingly simple for both cybercriminals and regular individuals to replicate voices, posing significant threats to the security of sensitive information. We explore how deepfakes, including face swaps and voice replication, have become common tools for cybercriminals. According to iProov's 2023 Biometric Threat Report, digital injection attacks, such as the use of deepfakes, have risen dramatically, occurring five times more often than persistent presentation attacks in 2022. With the rise of these sophisticated cyber

Dr. Ben Zhang, founder of NodeReal, joins me on Tech Talks Daily. NodeReal is a one-stop infrastructure and solution provider, paving the way for the high-speed blockchain era and the evolution of Web3 technology. Dr. Zhang and our host discuss the crux of easing the transition from Web2 to Web3 and how it's integral to large-scale enterprise adoption. By highlighting real-world case studies like a South Korean game studio leveraging blockchain technology, they delve into the pivotal role of managed services in empowering traditional enterprises to navigate the blockchain landscape. Our conversation shifts towards NodeReal's unique approach of providing end-to-end solutions for scalable blockchain implementation. From high-performance blockchain services to hosting solutions, Dr. Zhang walks us through the concept of a one-stop service that caters to the demands of web3 developers. A significant part of the discussion dwells on the impact of traditional tech giants like Amazon and Google venturing into the We

I sit down for an enlightening conversation with Mohamed Al Fayed, founder of Grubtech, a revolutionary platform that is reshaping the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry with its end-to-end operating system for omnichannel restaurants and cloud kitchens. We kick off the episode exploring Mohamed's entrepreneurial journey, as he shares insightful tips for launching a startup in the competitive F&B space. We delve into the inception of Grubtech, understanding how this young start-up has digitized the F&B scene, enabling the digital transformation and optimization of clients in 23 countries, including prestigious brands like Subway, Eataly, and Burger King. The conversation then pivots to the transformative potential of AI in the F&B industry. Mohamed sheds light on how Grubtech leverages AI to personalize customer experiences and streamline operations, from a multi-brand menu and recipe management to enhanced marketing capabilities and operational analytics. He further discusses the true value of

Mike Puglia, Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager of Security Products at Kaseya, joins me on Tech Talks Daily.  Mike sheds light on the much-anticipated Kaseya 2023 MSP Benchmark Report, an insightful resource that dives deep into the trends, challenges, and priorities of over 1,000 managed services providers (MSPs) worldwide. Our discussion centers around the critical themes of automation, cybersecurity, and integration. Mike expounds on how 90% of the respondents view automation as a game-changing technology for their businesses, enhancing efficiency and revenue generation by streamlining processes such as endpoint management, monitoring, and cybersecurity. We delve into the growing significance of cybersecurity, a realm that has seen a 15% surge as the top IT challenge from the previous year. With a clear majority of MSPs regularly advising their clients on cybersecurity, Mike explains how this trend has also fuelled the growth of managed detection and response solutions. Tackling the issue of softw