Whilst Steve LOVES America he doesn’t just go there for fun. In fact, the fun is a by-product of his serious quest to learn as much as possible about cybersecurity. Whilst he had an amazing time climbing to great heights in Denver during some rare time off, his mission was to reach new heights in cyber awareness by attending IT Nation Secure and PAX8 Beyond 2024. 

Here Steve gives a rundown of why he went, what he learnt and how your business will benefit. 

“Attending cybersecurity events like Pax8 Beyond and IT Nation Secure 2024 offers significant advantages to Net Primates and, by extension, to our clients. These events equip us with cutting-edge tools and strategies to tackle specific cyber threats, ensuring better security and efficiency for businesses. 

IT Nation Secure 

At the IT Nation Secure event, run by ConnectWise, AI was the focus. We learned about security considerations surrounding AI and the risks we need to be prepared for.  

Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 security considerations to keep in mind when implementing AI in easy-to-understand terms: 

  1. Data Security and Privacy: The Foundation of Trust

It’s crucial to keep your data safe and private. This builds trust with users and ensures their information is protected. 

  1. Model Understanding: Leverage Explainable AI (AIX)

Make sure you understand how your AI model makes decisions. Using explainable AI helps you and others trust and verify the outcomes. 

  1. Training Data Quality and Bias: Train for Accuracy

Use high-quality, unbiased data to train your AI. This ensures accurate and fair results. 

  1. Model Security and Integrity: Safeguard the Engine

Protect your AI model from tampering and attacks. Keeping it secure maintains its integrity and reliability. 

  1. Software Supply Chain Security: Securing the Supply Chain

Ensure all software components used in your AI are secure. This prevents vulnerabilities from creeping into your system. 

  1. Governance and Accountability: Ownership, Accountability, and Ethics

Establish clear rules and responsibilities. Ensure ethical use and ownership of AI systems. 

  1. Vulnerability Management for AI Systems: Proactive Defence

Regularly check for and address any weaknesses in your AI. This helps keep it safe from threats. 

  1. User Training and Awareness: Educate Users

Train users on how to properly use and understand AI. Educated users are less likely to misuse or compromise the system. 

  1. Continual Monitoring and Logging: Monitor Performance and Outputs

Keep an eye on your AI’s performance and logs. This helps you spot and fix issues early. 

  1. Incident Response and Recovery: Have an Incident Response Plan in Place

Prepare for potential security incidents. Having a response plan ensures you can quickly recover and minimise damage. 

By focusing on these considerations, we learnt that you can implement AI securely and effectively, building trust and ensuring the best outcomes for your projects. We are still on an AI learning curve here at Net Primates, but am much more aware and confident having attended IT Nation Secure. 

Pax8 Beyond 2024 

At Pax8 Beyond 2024 the focus was again on AI, concentrating on securely implementing Microsoft Copilot. Microsoft and Pax8 presented and here are simplified steps to follow: 

  1. Use Trusted Security Features
  • Use Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Higher: This ensures you have strong built-in security measures. 
  • Enable Microsoft Defender and Compliance Tools: These tools help protect your data and meet legal requirements. 
  1. Control Access
  • Set Permissions: Make sure only authorised people can access important information. 
  1. Regular Updates
  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your software to protect against security threats. 
  1. Educate Your Team
  • Training: Teach your team about safe practices and how to use AI tools responsibly. Utilise resources like Pax8 Academy for training. 
  1. Specialised Security Tools
  • Advanced Protection: Use AI-powered security tools for better threat detection and response. 
  1. Monitor and Respond
  • Continuous Monitoring: Regularly check for any unusual activities. 
  • Have a Plan: Prepare a plan to quickly handle any security issues that arise. 

These steps help ensure Copilot is used safely and effectively. 

Conclusion 

Attending events like IT Nation Secure and Pax8 Beyond 2024 helps us build on our knowledge of the latest technology available and how to beat the cyber threats associated with it. We’re also able to grow relationships with industry peers, sharing our experiences in the fight against cybercrime.  

We try to stay ahead of the curve, introducing enhanced security to Microsoft Office 365 before they did, but are also aware that cybercriminals are often one step ahead of the business community. By learning about, and taking on, advanced solutions and AI technologies, we can all improve our ability to stay safe, beat the criminals and remain resilient. We want you to have peace of mind, knowing that your operations are safeguarded by the latest security technologies and best practices. In summary, when we attend these events and adopt the latest cybersecurity solutions, the broader business community benefits from a more secure, efficient, and resilient IT environment. 

If you want to explore options for increased cybersecurity within your organisation we’re always happy to share our knowledge, offer advice and provide solutions. Please get in touch to find out how your business can stay safe.” 

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