Name: Taking Complexity Out of Connecting to the Cloud
Start: 2018-06-28T17:00:00Z
End: 2018-06-28T17:00:32.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 4.2

Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services.  
 
For more information, visit ComcastBusiness.com. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.


The relentless need for businesses to be ever more digital, automated, and adaptable means the CIO’s job is never done when it comes to driving connectedness strategies. Everything from customer and employee experiences to AI enablement to sustainability will hinge on a fabric of connectivity, and networks will need to become more resilient, integrated and intelligent. 

Join us as IDC research director Paul Hughes delves into the 2024 Future of Connectedness Predictions and the macroeconomic trends and business drivers behind them. 

Register for this webinar for expert insights on:

• The macroeconomic and business trends driving enterprise network evolution 
• How cloud-based platforms and AI capabilities are redefining customer and employee engagement 
• The role Gen AI will have on enhancing experiences – and the impact on edge computing
• The benefits of SD-WAN and cloud-based networking and security in the connected enterprise 
• How enterprises will enlist network service providers to scale digital innovation
• The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) use cases that will factor into connectedness strategies 

Speaker:
• Paul Hughes, Research Director, Future of Connectedness, IDC

Powering the Connected Enterprise: Trends & Predictions for 2024

Despite headwinds such as labor shortages and an uncertain economy, organizations continued investing in digital transformation initiatives in 2023. For the coming year, that pace shows no sign of slowing. In fact, where investment in other enterprise initiatives might be slowing, anything “digital” is maintaining strong support among the C-suite.

In this webinar, IDC Research VP Courtney Munroe will explore the key networking and connectivity trends for 2024 and beyond. We’ll discuss the ways in which top business drivers, such as CX, EX, and operational efficiency, will require CIOs to develop connected digital ecosystems, adopt flexible security models, align network infrastructure and cloud connectivity requirements, and more.
 
Register now to learn about:
• Top-of-mind business drivers for CIOs for 2024
• Key investment areas, including wireless, digital resilience, and IoT 
• The evolution of the “connected enterprise” 
• How generative AI will transform enterprises – and the role of the network 

Speaker:
Courtney Munroe, Research VP, Worldwide Telecommunications Research, IDC.

Network & Connectivity Trends for 2024 and Beyond

In this digital age, cyberattacks aim to exploit a business's every vulnerability—namely it's people, devices, and systems. With attacks potentially coming from every direction, what is a business leader supposed to do? Where do you start?

If you're ready to stop worrying and start preparing, then you won't want to miss this free webinar, 5 Things Successful Businesses Do to Fight Cybercrime, sponsored by Comcast Business and presented by Entrepreneur.

Join us for an illuminating conversation during which we'll break down the essential strategies to help safeguard your business against cybercrime. With our panel of cybersecurity experts, we'll deliver actionable insights that can help you understand the risks of cyberattacks and develop a cybersecurity strategy.

Key takeaways:
• Awareness of different types of threats: Gain an understanding of the cyber threats that are out there, from ransomware to phishing scams. 
• Educating leaders and employees: Learn how to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organization. Get your team equipped and aligned to fight off cyber threats.
• Have a plan in place: Get a framework for developing a cybersecurity plan that covers proactive and reactive measures. A plan isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.
• Invest in the right technology: Discover the types of cybersecurity technology that new and growing businesses should consider. Think of technology as an investment in an effort to protect your business assets.
• Make cybersecurity part of your business planning: Understand how to integrate cybersecurity measures into your business model and planning phases. Make security a routine aspect, not an afterthought.

5 Things Successful Businesses Do to Fight Cybercrime

During the past few years, relationships between financial services organizations and their customers have been undergoing a transformation, shifting from in-person to a multitude of consultative and digitally enhanced interactions. To optimize these interactions, financial firms need to rethink the customer experience, whether within the walls of their brick-and-mortar locations or online. 

This webinar will explore how, powered by data analytics, digital innovation, and ubiquitous connectivity, the financial services industry is reimagining the banking customer experience. 

Join this webinar to learn about:
• Current customer experience and digital tech trends in financial services  
• The tech solutions that enable seamless interactions and fluidity between physical and 
digital experiences
• How technology can be used to improve employee experiences and improve operations 
• The network connectivity and security solutions that will enable the future of banking 
• How managed services providers can help facilitate the retail experience for FinServ firms

Panelists:
• Marc DeCastro, Research Director, Consumer Banking, IDC
• Mitch Rosenzweig | Senior Director, Enterprise Sales, Finance/Media Vertical, Comcast Business

Building the Retail Banking Experience of the Future

With new technology, banks are blending the use of physical and digital spaces for their customers - there's also a lot of buzz about next-generation ATMs. Ray Hatch, VP of Enterprise Solutions at Comcast Business explains more about what's possible with next-generation ATMs!

How Technology is Getting Banking Ready for the Future

Technology is accelerating faster than ever, giving IT and security teams more tools to fend off cybersecurity attacks from an increasingly diverse slate of bad actors. However, the tactics attackers are using to access systems are also growing more sophisticated by the day, making the possibility of a breach closer than you might think. Based on data from 23.5 billion hacking attempts the 2023 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report helps technology and security leaders understand the contours of the current threat matrix—and the tool and practices that can help protect their organizations and customers from an evolving set of threats. 

In this webinar, we’ll explore key findings from the report, the genesis and chronology of cyberattacks, the tools and methods attackers are using, and how businesses are advancing their security approaches.

Participants will learn:
• Research findings on key areas of vulnerability in a shifting threat landscape, including phishing, stolen credentials, malware, DDoS, and more
• The anatomy of a cyberattack – the typical stages of an attack, and the methods and tools hackers use to gain access to and exploit networks
• Common evasion tactics adversaries use to expand their impact while appearing invisible to security teams
• How businesses are adjusting to new types and volumes of cyber threats

Panelists:
• Justin Walker, Executive Director, Cyber Security Operations, Comcast 
• Ivan Shefrin, Executive Director, Comcast Business

2023 Cybersecurity Threat Report: Key Findings & Insights

Ray Hatch, vice president of enterprise solutions vertical markets at Comcast Business, joined Cheddar News to talk about how the hospitality industry is utilizing technology to enhance the guest experience. "The goal is always to provide technology that is equal to or really better than what you have access to at home," he said.

How the Hospitality Industry Implements Technology to Enhance Guest Experiences

IT leaders seeking to ensure users have secure and reliable network access from anywhere are turning to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) to deliver on that goal. According to a recent survey by CIO and Comcast, SASE’s converged network and security capabilities are showing clear benefits, including improved IT operations (70%), user experience (59%), and remote work connectivity (55%). The new study also reveals the key considerations and approaches IT leaders are taking on their path to SASE adoption. 

In this webinar, we’ll dive into the results of the new study and explore what’s driving SASE adoption, implementation strategies, and the benefits IT teams are reaping. 

Register for the webinar to learn:
• Why the convergence of network and security is a growing need 
• The operational and talent challenges IT teams are facing and where SASE fits in 
• How the benefits of SASE are exceeding expectations 
• How IT leaders are navigating implementation

Panelists:
• Joe Richardson, Sr. Director, Product Management, Secure Networking, Comcast Business 
• Trevor Parks, Sr. Director, Security Solutions, Comcast Business, Masergy
• Johna Till Johnson, Founder and CEO, Nemertes

2023 SASE Trends: Operational Benefits Emerge as Adoption Advances

It’s a simple proposition: You cannot be a “digital-first” enterprise without agile network connectivity. This is not solely a technology challenge. IT and business leaders must bear in mind the investments in operational change that need to go hand-in-hand with modern, future-ready networking technology.

Today, connected digital experiences are growing in importance to enterprise businesses, both to drive better customer experiences and support evolving employee work models. Join us for this webcast from Comcast Business, where we’ll explore the business drivers for modern connectivity; the challenges to expect on the journey to an Agile Connected Enterprise; and offer expert guidance and best practices to assure Future-Ready Network Connectivity.

Speakers:
Paul Hughes, Research Director, IDC's Future of Connectedness Agenda
Christian Nascimento, Product Management & Strategy, Comcast Business

The Future of Connected Experiences

When customers walk into a retail store today, they are expecting a personalized, frictionless, and connected experience. The concept sounds simple enough, but orchestrating the experience is far from it. Retailers require a suite of technology solutions to keep operations running seamlessly and create compelling consumer experiences that drive engagement, loyalty, and growth. The exploding number of digital touchpoints – digital signage, new payment methods, and connected personal devices — are transforming the in-store experience, while real-time analytics, digital supply chains, and IoT are reshaping backend operations. To power these new and evolving business functions at scale, retailers need fast, reliable connectivity and an agile, secure network. 

In this webinar, market experts will explore the latest trends in retail and how technology is powering connected digital experiences and streamlining operations at scale.

Register to learn about:
• The latest tech trends in retail, from frictionless commerce to IoT-enabled operations
• How retailers are blending instore and online customer experiences to increase engagement 
• How retailers are leveraging real-time data to power the business—and the keys to securing
the digital ecosystem 
• The connectivity powering retail transformation, including advanced wireless and secure, agile networking

Speakers:
Dan Berthiaume, Senior Editor, Technology, Chain Store Age
Tom Woodbury, IoT Solutions Consultant, MachineQ
Matthew Fassnacht, VP, Enterprise Solutions Sales, Comcast Business

Technology Transformation in Retail CX & Ops

In 2022, many businesses emerged from the pandemic truly transformed. With hybrid work the new norm and customer experiences evolving at a rapid pace, enterprises have doubled down on digital innovation and the expectations on IT teams are higher than ever. This transformation has also reshaped enterprise network and connectivity needs aimed at supporting quickly evolving customer and employee experiences. CIOs are pursuing network modernization to ensure network flexibility, connectivity, and security for users anywhere, anytime. 

This webinar will explore the latest trends in networking and connectivity and the business drivers behind them. 

Register for this webinar to learn about:
• Top-of-mind business drivers for CIOs in 2023 
• The continued impact of hybrid work on enterprise networks  
• The latest trends on 5G, private wireless, and broadband connectivity 
• Agile network strategies: leveraging SD-WAN, managed services, and cloud-based solutions
• What’s next for edge computing, hybrid cloud, and digital resiliency

Our Speaker:
Courtney Munroe, Research Vice President, Worldwide Telecommunications Research, IDC

Network and Connectivity Trends for 2023 & Beyond

The pace of innovation has been turbo-charged by digital transformation technologies. To take full advantage of that innovation, IT leaders now have to assure employees have consistent, secure network access to any resource from any location — including home offices. IT leaders are counting on Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) to deliver on that goal with the simplicity of converged solutions uniting network and security capabilities with artificial intelligence and managed services. In this webinar from Comcast Business and Fortinet, discover why that faith in SASE is not misplaced, as new research shows that SASE results are outstripping expectations. You’ll hear experts from Comcast, Fortinet, and IDC discuss:
• Why SASE adoption is rising and the challenges driving interest
• The top solution benefits and five areas where benefits exceed expectations;
• Why SASE can mean many different things to different people, and zero in on and what exactly SASE is and how to execute on it.
• What are the key criteria IT leaders use to select SASE solutions and providers

Speakers:
Chris Rodriguez, Research Director, Security & Trust Products, IDC
Jonathan Nguyen-Duy, VP, Global Field CISO, Fortinet
Joseph Austin, Executive Director Solutions Architecture, Comcast Business

SASE Exceeds Expectations

With the need for businesses to proactively ensure the security of their networks, data, and digital assets, many are rethinking their approach to advanced security and threat management, as traditional firewall and single-point security solutions may not be enough. Through an effective network foundation, security management processes, and integrated, advanced security solutions, enterprises can better protect key systems and data. In a segment presented by Comcast Business, Shena Seneca Tharnish, VP, Cybersecurity Products will discuss how cybersecurity needs have changed and the role service providers are playing to help businesses defend the networks.

Speakers: 
• Suzanne Kelly, CEO & Publisher, The Cipher Brief
• Shena Seneca Tharnish, VP, Secure Networking & Cybersecurity Product Solutions, Comcast Business 

This interview originally appeared as a sponsored segment during the virtual event Washington Post Live: Securing Cyberspace.

Q&A: Enterprises Face Evolving Threat Landscape

Artificial intelligence is automating IT operations, which explains why the majority of decision makers are adopting and trusting AI technologies in 2021. A study from ZK Research shows 64% of companies are already using AIOps and 55% are leveraging it across both the network and security. Hear Zeus Kerravala, Principal Analyst at ZK Research, and Ray Watson, V.P. of Innovation at Masergy, discuss the latest AIOps research. You'll get the latest trends showing how companies deploy AIOps and measure success, top use cases for AIOps and which ones deliver the biggest business benefits, and three IT investments most leaders make to help prepare for AIOps.

State of AIOps: Why You Need a Strategy Today

Banking customers today expect the same personalized and intuitive customer experience they routinely get from leading-edge retailers and on-demand digital services. Also, for most banks and other financial institutions, branch locations serve as outposts in a community to showcase their offerings and provide personal services. This presents a unique opportunity to blend online and in-branch experiences in meaningful ways, but also requires banks to undergo digital modernization from consumer apps to network infrastructure.

To keep pace, FinServ firms are adopting new digital services, omnichannel marketing tools, always-on connectivity, and fast, reliable, secure networks. In this webinar, we’ll explore how FinServ firms are evolving the customers experience and how secure network solutions are helping them achieve business goals. 

Key takeaways will include: 
• The latest customer experience and digital tech trends in financial services  
• How connectivity and agile networking are supporting digitization and cloud adoption 
• How banks are rethinking their approaches to cybersecurity 
• The role of managed services providers in this more dynamic banking environment

Presenters:
• Marc DeCastro, Research Director, Consumer Banking, IDC 
• Thomas Sweeney, Executive Director, Strategic Client Group, Comcast Business.

Digitizing the FinServ Customer Experience

Business leaders are focused on the day-to-day of running and growing their companies and may not be aware how much federal, state, and local public policy can impact their success. Yet public policy greatly affects the business environment for small and mid-sized businesses, impacting such things as labor costs, supply chain, and government funding opportunities. As businesses become more digitally oriented, they must also navigate a slew of new concerns, including cybersecurity, business resiliency, digital job skills, broadband internet access, and digital marketing, all of which have important policy implications. 

Comcast Business is teaming up with public policy experts to help break down the latest policies and debates in Washington, DC to provide critical insights on how they impact small and mid-sized businesses. We invite business leaders to attend this webinar to learn about: 

• How public policy can impact small and mid-sized businesses 
• The state of the SMB economy and how the current administration and Congress is shaping business 
• The latest on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPs Act, and more 
• Policies impacting digital business growth including cybersecurity, digital marketing, digital skills, and       Internet accessibility 
• Tools and services available to small businesses for staying updated on policy changes

Featured Speakers:
Ronnie Chatterji, Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Commerce
Jim Doyle, President, Business Forward
Rudy Brioche, VP and Counsel, Global Public Policy, Comcast

Public Policy Changes Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Should Know About

Networks are under pressure like never before. For networking security leaders, too many blind spots in their network security operations means too many vulnerabilities with the shift to hybrid work, data, applications, intellectual property, and personal information is no longer stashed safely behind a corporate firewall. Today, it can be anywhere.
 
Fortunately, security solutions and practices have transformed thanks to the cross pollination of security, data analytics, cloud, and networking protocols like Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN). Smart use of modern network security solutions and practices give CISOs their best chance fight against threats and mitigate risk. 

In this webcast, we’ll explore:
• The current trending threats facing networks, like authentication vulnerabilities, malware, phishing, denial of service attacks. 
• Where current network security measures are falling short.
• The importance of observability, security intelligence, AI and ML in a network security strategy. 
• Steps that security and networking leaders can take to shore up defenses.
• How a managed services partner can help.

Our Speakers
Chris Kissel, Research Director, Security & Trust Products, IDC
Jim Malone, Senior Content Director, CIO Marketing Services

Modern Network Security: How Technology and Smart Practices are Reducing Risk

The passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act promises to deliver, among other things, $65 billion to help ensure that every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet. For state, county and municipal officials, that will mean a rare opportunity to ensure that broadband is deployed to the unconnected and that the unconnected have access to online services. But it will also mean getting the right help to ensure those investments are reliable and deliver on the promise of community engagement.

While the investment opportunity is significant, broadband networks are expensive, and the new funds will only go so far. So, to ensure the broadband buildouts are effective, the funds must be prioritized to unserved areas and not wasted on subsidizing some duplicative network, says Michael Brady, SVP of Government Affairs, Comcast Cable, in a new StateScoop interview. He explains critical steps state and local agencies can take to help with their planning, like consulting with broadband providers to develop a program that’s committed to digital equity. 

Terry Connell, SVP of Sales and Sales Operations, Comcast Business, also explains the benefits of diversifying broadband providers’ portfolios and the importance of having the right partners to collaborate for increased local expertise and flexibility while removing redundancy.  

Learn more about how Comcast is helping public sector leaders take advantage of the new wave of broadband infrastructure investment funding.

Capitalize on New Federal Funding for Expanding Broadband Services

Hybrid cloud is shaping a new network reality, and now is the time to ensure your network is ready across all your locations. According to 451 Research, 60 percent of IT environments will reside in the cloud in 2018—up from 45 percent in 2016.The mix of on-premises and cloud-based resources that underpins the hybrid cloud means increased complexity, and legacy networks are simply no longer equipped to meet demands created by bandwidth-intensive environments. 

Join us on June 28 at 1 p.m. ET for the “Taking Complexity Out of Connecting to the Cloud” webinar. Our expert panelists will discuss the issues related to operating in a hybrid cloud. 

We’ll explore: 
• Assessing core infrastructure needs in light of increased complexity; 
• The keys to building a seamless hybrid cloud environment geared to scaling; 
• Architecting a cloud environment with business continuity in mind; 
• Challenges and advantages of multi-cloud architecture; and 
• Security considerations. 

Our panelists include: 
• Geoff Woollacott, senior strategy consultant, principal analyst at Technology Business Research, focuses on emerging technologies and their business implications for customer adoption 
• John Keller, director, product management, Data Center/Cloud at Comcast Business, works to build products and services for Comcast customers through private, direct connectivity to multi-tenant data center and cloud service providers.

Taking Complexity Out of Connecting to the Cloud

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Taking Complexity Out of Connecting to the Cloud

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