Cybersecurity Milestones and Market Shifts, Microsoft's Price Hike and the Push for Windows 11

The episode highlights the achievements of the Biden administration in establishing baseline cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure, with notable compliance rates among U.S. pipelines, railways, and airports. Sobel also covers the arrest of Army Communications Specialist Cameron J. Wagnius, linked to a massive theft of phone records from AT&T and Verizon, which has raised concerns about the security of sensitive data in the telecommunications sector.

The episode further delves into AvePoint's strategic acquisition of Yedentic, a software-as-a-service company, aimed at enhancing its MSP platform amid a booming $80 billion cybersecurity market. This move underscores the growing importance of centralized management tools for managed service providers (MSPs) and positions AvePoint to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the cybersecurity landscape. Sobel emphasizes the need for seamless integration and differentiation in the MSP platform space, as competition intensifies.

In addition to these developments, Sobel discusses Microsoft's recent price increase for its consumer Microsoft 365 bundle, marking the first hike in 12 years. The changes, which include a push for users to upgrade to Windows 11, come amid concerns about the adoption of Microsoft's CoPilot AI features. Sobel questions the low adoption rates and explores potential reasons, including product performance and user training, while highlighting Microsoft's strategy to drive AI adoption and migration to newer operating systems.

Lastly, the episode introduces the MSP Collective's launch of a validated directory for service providers certified under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This initiative aims to assist organizations in finding reliable service providers to meet their security requirements. Sobel expresses skepticism about the necessity of creating a new organization for this purpose, suggesting that such efforts might have been better served by existing trade associations. The episode concludes with Sobel's invitation to listeners to engage with the show and participate in upcoming live events.

Four things to know today

00:00 Cybersecurity Milestones Amid Crisis: U.S. Critical Infrastructure Secured While Cybercrime Surges

04:00 AvePoint Expands MSP Platform Amid $80 Billion Cybersecurity Market Surge with Ydentic Deal

05:32 Upgrade or Else: Microsoft Raises Prices and Pushes Users Toward Windows 11 and Copilot AI

09:19 Who Is the MSP Collective? They’re Building a Trusted Directory for Critical Infrastructure Security

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