Cybersecurity, M&A, DE&I Take the Stage at IT Nation Connect 2021
Here are five key takeaways from the first full day of the event.
November 12, 2021
![ConnectWise IT Connect 2021 Sign ConnectWise IT Connect 2021 Sign](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/bltbd4df2034e63db4e/65243e3bb388be4d66799756/ConnectWise-IT-Connect-2021-Sign.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Channel Futures sat down with Jason Magee, CEO of ConnectWise, to get some more in-depth insight into the announcements made during Wednesday’s opening keynote.
Regarding Asio, the new unified platform, and other product rollouts: “We’ve got a robust road map, now that we have the foundation live,” said Magee. “We’ve spent the better part of the last two years orchestrating it, and it’s going to allow us to do more with RMM and unified management tool sets a lot quicker. You’re going to start to see this road map unfold; we’ll have a lot more integrations available. That is so key to our industry, so we’ve got to work with vendors. We’ve got to get the tool sets that our MSPs want to have.”
Magee also emphasized the importance of listening to partner feedback and incorporating it in the aforementioned road map.
Raffael Marty, senior vice president of product management for cybersecurity at ConnectWise, outlined the company’s road map, strategy and vision for 2022.
He told the IT Nation audience on Thursday that ConnectWise doesn’t “just want to be a reseller.” Rather, Marty said, “Whatever products we bet on, we have to start integrating in our ecosystem.”
The company has integrated more than 65 products and plans to increase that number in the next year.
Cloud distributor Pax8 announced a partnership with CyberCNS to provide advanced security technology that continuously monitors, identifies and prioritizes vulnerabilities in on-premises, cloud, mobile and DevOps environments. Pax8 is the first partnership CyberCNS has selected to go to market within the IT channel.
“A recent ESG research Report commissioned by Pax8 found that evolving security practices is a top priority for 87% of partners surveyed,” said Ryan Walsh (pictured), chief operating officer at Pax8. “The partnership with CyberCNS is significant for our partners because it provides a unique security layer to the technology stack with its advanced vulnerability assessment technology. Because CyberCNS developed their solutions specifically for MSPs, they are easy to deploy, integrate with leading PSA tools, and are an affordable option for enhancing clients’ security postures.”
Axcient, the business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) provider, introduced x360Recover Direct-to-Cloud for Microsoft Azure, a BCDR solution that protects MSPs and their clients’ data in the Azure public cloud against the threats of ransomware, security breaches, accidental deletion and cloud outages.
x360Recover Direct-to-Cloud for Microsoft Azure leverages the x360 platform for security and ease of management. Axcient says it solves a critical challenge for MSPs — ensuring protection and recoverability of data in the public cloud. With x360Recover, MSPs get what Axcient says is a comprehensive solution for data protection that frees them from the risks of relying solely on Microsoft backup, along with low management overhead and simplified pricing to ensure profitability.
“MSPs have great growth opportunities with public cloud-based services, but threats like ransomware put the security and profitability of this business at risk,” said Ben Nowacky (pictured), SVP of product at Axcient. “With x360Recover Direct-to-Cloud for Azure, Axcient provides comprehensive third-party protection and rapid recovery, exceptional ease of use and simplified pricing that enables healthy margins — all on a single platform that supports both on-premises and public cloud workloads.”
Keri Higgins-Bigelow (pictured), CEO, LivingHR, led a session on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the channel.
“How do you build [JEDI] into your workplace strategy? The demographics are changing. People want to feel valued. The reality is that marginalized groups aren’t getting the same access to opportunities out there. We’re trying to catch up as a society. We need to intentionally think about all the people who are in your organization.
“Think bigger. What does diversity, equity and inclusion really mean? There are so many different ways that we show up.
“Equity does not mean equal. We’re not looking for the same; we’re looking for access. Think about it within your org.
“Inclusion. This is the area people are falling down the most, the idea of feeling excluded because it negates voices. You can capture more voices by inviting them by intentionally and thoughtfully inviting them into the discussion. No one joins teams when they feel like they’re going to be the last kid picked.
“Define your culture. The leadership mindset needs to not be afraid of DE&I. It needs to be a part of your org strategy. You can’t just check the box. Attract and hire.”
Keri Higgins-Bigelow (pictured), CEO, LivingHR, led a session on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the channel.
“How do you build [JEDI] into your workplace strategy? The demographics are changing. People want to feel valued. The reality is that marginalized groups aren’t getting the same access to opportunities out there. We’re trying to catch up as a society. We need to intentionally think about all the people who are in your organization.
“Think bigger. What does diversity, equity and inclusion really mean? There are so many different ways that we show up.
“Equity does not mean equal. We’re not looking for the same; we’re looking for access. Think about it within your org.
“Inclusion. This is the area people are falling down the most, the idea of feeling excluded because it negates voices. You can capture more voices by inviting them by intentionally and thoughtfully inviting them into the discussion. No one joins teams when they feel like they’re going to be the last kid picked.
“Define your culture. The leadership mindset needs to not be afraid of DE&I. It needs to be a part of your org strategy. You can’t just check the box. Attract and hire.”
CONNECTWISE IT NATION CONNECT — IT Nation Connect is back in full force after the void of 2020, pulling in an impressive number of MSPs and vendors from all over the globe. Thursday’s sessions covered a broad range of topics, from the “great resignation” to the future of RMM. They also touched on the path to M&A and security best practices.
Furthermore, some big players made key news announcements at the show. Unsurprisingly, they centered largely around partnerships and security-related boosts.
Click through our slideshow above to check out the highlights from the first full day of IT Nation Connect 2021.
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