Name: The Smart Hotel: How IoT and AI are Transforming Hospitality
Start: 2024-07-09T17:00:00Z
End: 2024-07-09T17:00:28.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 4.5

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 @ComcastBusiness on X and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.


Cybersecurity threats are growing in volume and velocity. In the past year, Comcast Business detected 19.5B botnet attacks, 9.7B malware attacks, and 4.7B phishing attempts across its cybersecurity customer base. And cyber threats don't just target large corporations. Small businesses face many of the same risks, often with fewer resources to defend themselves. Meanwhile, as cyber criminals adopt artificial intelligence, scams are getting faster and more convincing.  

Fortunately, cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated or costly – and there are steps small businesses can take to better defend against the latest threats.  Join this webinar for exclusive insights on emerging threats and how a combination of user-friendly cybersecurity tools, employee training, and cyber preparedness can help defend your business.  

We’ll cover: 
• Why small businesses need to make cybersecurity a top priority – plus the latest scams and common mistakes 
• How cybercriminals use AI to make more effective phishing messages, deep fakes, and malware 
• Tips for building a cybersecurity culture and the importance of an incident response plan to minimize disruption  
• The key role technology plays in providing adaptable, up-to-date threat protection and helping to reduce risk  
• How Comcast Business is innovating enterprise-strength cybersecurity solutions for small businesses 

Speakers:
• Christian Nascimento, SVP, Connectivity & Digital Customer Solutions, Comcast Business
• Frank Dickson, Group VP, Security & Trust, IDC

Get Threat Ready: What Small Businesses Need to Know About Cybersecurity

The 2025 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report delivers insights from 34.6 billion cybersecurity events, revealing an increasingly smart and sophisticated threat landscape. Our annual report offers an in-depth perspective on emerging threats, attack evolution, and how enterprise organizations can align defenses to better protect their businesses.  

Join us as we explore key findings from the report and what they tell us about the state of cybersecurity today.  

Tune in to explore: 
• Research findings on common attack tactics and areas of vulnerability  
• How AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape for attackers, defenders, and employees 
• How threat actors attempt to hide their activity, using “living off the land” techniques, proxies, and more  
• The human factors that continue to frustrate enterprise security efforts and why fundamentals are more important than ever 
• Why a multi-layered defense strategy, including strong upfront defense and rapid detection and response, is critical 

Speakers:
• Ivan Shefrin, Executive Director, Cybersecurity, Comcast Business
• Karim Mahrous, Executive Director, Cybersecurity, Comcast
• Dave Gruber, Principal Analyst, Ransomware, SecOps & Services - Enterprise Strategy Group

2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report: Key Findings & Insights

As enterprises deploy an ever‑growing web of internet-connected sensors, cameras, and digital touchpoints, they’re swimming in data. Yet, only organizations that can quickly transform that data into actionable insight will reap the full benefits of smart technology, like intelligent automation and more informed decision making across the enterprise. 

Join us for a practical look at how AI‑driven analytics and IoT platforms are reshaping operations, elevating customer experiences, and driving measurable business outcomes. We’ll unpack real‑world use cases and share proven practices for scaling securely, integrating across legacy environments, and avoiding common pitfalls.

We’ll cover:
• How edge and cloud processing combine to turn raw sensor data into real‑time decisions
• The ways data‑driven efficiency is boosting productivity, reducing costs, and unlocking new growth opportunities
• Real-world use cases like IoT in facilities management, retail analytics, and loss control 
• Best practices for implementing smart technologies, such as IoT, video analytics and digital signage  
• Considerations around  connectivity, security, and governance as smart technology implementations scale

Speakers:
• Eric Albert, Director of Wireless Solutions Architecture, Comcast Business
• George Bentinck, VP, Product Management, Cisco Meraki
• Jake Purcell, Director, Comcast Smart Solutions

From Data to Decisions: Unlocking the Power of Smart Technology

As artificial intelligence transforms the enterprise landscape, the foundation of digital trust is being put to the test. With AI-driven automation, machine-to-machine communication, and deepfake threats on the rise, enterprise leaders are rethinking how they build and maintain digital trust. 

Join industry experts as we discuss the evolving concept of digital trust and its growing impact on enterprise security, brand reputation, and customer confidence—as well as how organizations can adopt networking and security strategies to verify the authenticity of AI agents, transactions, and third-party partners.

We’ll explore:
• The impact of digital trust on brand perception and the bottom line
• The evolving nature of trust in AI-driven interactions—both human-to-machine and machine-to-machine
• Strategies for authenticating AI agents, transactions, and third-party partners
• Key security strategies, including zero-trust frameworks, AI-based anomaly detection, and new approaches to identity verification

Speakers:
• Raj Samani, SVP, Chief Scientist,  Rapid7
• Ivan Shefrin, Executive Director, Managed Security Services at Comcast Business

Building Digital Trust in an AI-Powered World

Join us as we revisit key moments from our exclusive Comcast Business Executive Forum presented in March at THE PLAYERS® Championship. In this virtual version of our Executive Forum, you’ll hear highlights from the event – gaining diverse perspectives from industry leaders in technology and business and taking away valuable insights on critical topics including network performance, AI, security, and more. 

Featuring leaders from AWS, NBC, Comcast, PGA TOUR, and other top businesses, you are sure to leave inspired about all the ways technology is changing the game in business. The program will culminate with an exclusive Q&A featuring a former PGA TOUR pro and leaders from Boston Common Golf.

We look forward to hosting you!

• Learn how network performance is driving the future of business and how Comcast is getting its network ready for all the innovation to come
• Explore how AI is enabling cutting-edge employee and customer experiences
• Hear how leading businesses are using AI to help secure their networks, empower their teams, and delight their customers

Moderated by: Kit Hoover, Host, Access Hollywood & Access Daily at NBCUniversal

Executive Forum Speakers Include:
• Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports 
• Noopur Davis, EVP, Chief Information Security & Product Privacy Officer, Comcast 
• Scott Gutterman, SVP of Digital Operations, PGA TOUR
• Scott Kinka, Chief Strategy Officer, Bridgepointe Technologies
• Jenna Kurath, Head of Comcast NBCU SportsTech & VP of Startup Partnerships
• Elad Nafshi, EVP, Chief Network Officer, Comcast 
• Rick Rioboli, EVP & CTO, Comcast 
• Julie Souza, Global Head of Sports, AWS 
• Fraser Stirling, Global Chief Product Officer, Comcast and Sky
• Bret Taylor, Co-Founder, Sierra and Chairman, OpenAI 

Q&A with Boston Common Golf:
• Roberto Castro, former PGA TOUR pro and Managing Director, CapTech 
• Mark Lev, President & CEO, Boston Common Golf
• Teddy Mitropoulos, VP, Team Operations, Boston Common Golf

Comcast Business Virtual Executive Forum: Perspectives from THE PLAYERS®

Are you struggling to keep up with assets, applications, and keeping your CMDB up to date? Are you overwhelmed by the number of found vulnerabilities, open vulnerabilities, and the SLAs for remediation? You're not alone. IT Asset Management and Vulnerability Management teams often struggle to keep track of all devices and applications on the network. This leads to incomplete and inaccurate CMDBs, gaps in scanning coverage, and a growing number of open vulnerabilities.

Our speakers:
Robin Das, Executive Director, Growth Strategy, DataBee, a Comcast Company
Harriett Yea, Director Vulnerability Management and Product Security Incident Response, Comcast
Jill Cagliostro, Director of Product Management, DataBee

In this webinar, we'll show you how DataBee can help you:
• Gain visibility into all devices and applications on your network
• Ensure comprehensive scanning coverage
• Improve asset exposure management
• Reduce the number of unpatched vulnerabilities
• Improve your organization's security outcomes
• Lower enterprise risk and enhance overall compliance

Join us to learn practical solutions for managing your security data effectively and closing the gap on unknown or unmanaged assets.

Solving Your Vulnerability and Asset Exposure Management Challenges

Join us for a deep dive into the future of enterprise connectivity, as we explore the transformative impact of AI across the entire ecosystem. This webinar, based on the latest IDC FutureScape predictions, will delve into key trends shaping the industry, including:

- How enterprises are integrating generative AI into connectivity strategies to enhance security, optimize performance, and personalize employee experiences.
- The growing role of edge computing powered by GenAI in driving faster decision-making and enriching customer experiences.
- Leveraging AI-enabled automation and managed services to achieve operational efficiency and secure connectivity for distributed enterprises.
- Using AI to advance ESG goals and drive sustainability through enhanced visibility and automation.

Speakers
• Paul Hughes, Research Director, Future Enterprise Connectivity Strategies, IDC
• Christian Nascimento, Vice President, Product Management & Strategy, Comcast Business

How AI is Reshaping Enterprise Connectivity

To deliver exceptional experiences to customers, convenience stores need to ensure that operations are running seamlessly and employees have the tools they need to thrive. Increasingly store operations and employee experiences are being powered by a variety of data-driven, connected, and smart technologies. From real-time pump monitoring to autonomous cleaning robots, every corner of the store can be enhanced by technology.  

Join RaceTrac, Comcast Business, and MachineQ to hear how IoT, AI, and advanced networking are taking the convenience industry to new heights. 

Speakers:
• Tyler Grubbs, Exec Dir of Digital & Store Technology, RaceTrac
• Russ Richardson, VP, Sales, MachineQ
• Marybeth Pearce, VP, Sales Operations & Analytics, Comcast Business
• Moderator: Barb Hedges, VP, Commercial Marketing, Comcast Business

Powering Retail Efficiency & Employee Experience with Smart Technology

Dollar Tree is on a mission of bold expansion, aiming to open up to 750 new stores each year. As its footprint grows, so must its technology – scaling quickly and seamlessly to support customer transactions and real-time inventory from day one. 

In this session, learn how Dollar Tree partners with Comcast Business to power hundreds of stores with fast, reliable connectivity and security – even utilizing innovative low-Earth orbit satellite technology to reach rural areas. Attendees will also get an inside look at Dollar Tree’s commitment to sustainability and community empowerment, setting a standard for responsible retail expansion.

Speakers:
• Brian Williams, SVP of IT, Dollar Tree
• Joseph Austin, VP, Global Solutions Architecture, Comcast Business
• Moderator: Melissa Lapp, Exec. Dir., Brand Growth & Innovation, Comcast Business

The Technology Behind Dollar Tree’s Rapid Expansion

Self-serve kiosks, personalized loyalty programs, digital menu boards, robotic fry stations: Jack in the Box is redefining employee efficiency and customer engagement in the quick-service restaurant industry. Join CTO Doug Cook as he shares how the company’s bold vision for shaping a smarter, more customer-centric QSR experience, and hear how Comcast Business is helping power this transformation.

Speakers:
• Doug Cook, CTO, Jack in the Box 
• Ray Hatch, VP, Global Enterprise Sales, Comcast Business
• Moderator: Melissa Lapp, Exec. Dir., Brand Growth & Innovation, Comcast Business

Jack in the Box’s Vision for the Restaurant of the Future

Digital transformation goals significantly impact network infrastructure needs for enterprise organizations, creating challenges across all IT domains and increasing pressure on IT operations. ESG research shows that 82% of organizations believe their network environments have become more complex over the past two years.  

This webinar highlights the crucial role of network modernization, particularly through SD-WAN, SASE, and managed services, for enterprises aiming to advance their digital transformation and embrace emerging technologies like AI.  

ESG Principal Analyst Jim Frey will host a discussion on the latest trends and strategies for implementing advanced network and security practices to meet digital business needs.  

Join this webinar to learn about:  
• The critical role of network modernization in achieving digital transformation goals 
• How SD-WAN and SASE can help enhance connectivity and security  
• The benefits of managed services for simplifying network operations 
• The latest trends and best practices for network modernization 

Speakers:  
• Jim Frey, Principal Analyst for Networking, Enterprise Strategy Group 
• SK Panda, VP Global Service Assurance, Comcast Business 
• Joe Austin, VP Solutions Architecture, Comcast Business  
• Nelson Ortiz, VP Sales Engineering, Comcast Business

Navigating Network Complexity: Strategies for a More Agile Enterprise

The 2024 Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report provides insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of global cyber threats based on the analysis of 29 billion cybersecurity events we detected last year. 

Join us as we explore key findings from the report and what they tell us about the state of cybersecurity today. Our speakers will review the common vulnerabilities being targeted by threat actors and the increasingly sophisticated techniques they’re using – and discuss why perimeter-based defenses are simply not enough to handle modern threats. 

 Tune in to explore: 
-Key vulnerabilities that threat actors attempt to exploit to gain network access 
-Evasion tactics commonly used to move laterally and expand impact  
-Why real-time detection, response, and mitigation has become one of the most invaluable elements of cybersecurity preparedness  
-Best practices for defending against an intensifying threat landscape  

Speakers: 
- Ivan Shefrin, Executive Director for Managed Security Services, Comcast Business
- Trevor Parks, Sr. Director Advanced Security Solutions, Comcast Business
- Dave Gruber, Principal Analyst, Ransomware, SecOps & Services - Enterprise Strategy Group

2024 Cybersecurity Threat Report: Key Findings & Insights

As technology continues to evolve, securing and managing your network becomes increasingly complex. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework can significantly enhance your organization’s security and network performance by integrating multiple network and security functions into a unified cloud-delivered service, making it easier to protect and optimize your enterprise’s digital environment. But many organizations indicate concerns around implementation.  

In this webinar, we’ll break down how SASE works, share practical tips for getting started, and present a few SASE implementation case studies.

Speakers:
- Michael McCuen, Vice President, Global Sales - Comcast Business
- Ramesh Pillutla, Product Manager - Comcast Business

Maximizing Security & Efficiency: A Journey to Implementing SASE

The relationship between banks and their customers is evolving rapidly. Customers are looking for a seamless experience that blends digital interactions with in-person engagement to deliver hyper-personalized service anytime, anywhere.

Join this webinar to hear IDC analyst Marc DeCastro’s insights on the latest trends in financial services. Explore how banks are investing in artificial intelligence to deliver new, differentiated experiences faster, while also improving operational efficiency and security.

Tune in to learn about:
● Current banking market dynamics impacting business strategy and tech investment 
● Where retail banking is on its journey to AI everywhere and the AI use cases making a big impact today 
● How hyper-personalization is changing the customer experience

Speaker:
● Marc DeCastro, Research Director, Consumer Banking, IDC

How AI & Personalization Are Transforming the Banking Experience

Security operations teams face a range of challenges today in protecting their organization’s infrastructure, users, and data. To this end, Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) reports that 79% say the cybersecurity skills shortage has impacted security operations at their organizations and 75% cannot keep pace with the volume and variety of security alerts.

To help counter today’s tidal wave of cyber threats, SOC teams are working to modernize their security architectures via initiatives such as secure access service edge (SASE) and extended detection and response (XDR). Yet these projects don’t always bring the increased level of simplicity and effectiveness organizations expect.

ESG Principal Analyst John Grady will host a conversation with Comcast Business to discuss the latest market trends and strategies for implementing SASE and XDR to effectively address their top cybersecurity challenges.

Register for this webinar to learn about:
• Current ESG research on SOC pain points, managed security services use cases, and XDR sentiment
• The market perception of SASE and XDR versus the experience of organizations implementing these architectures 
• The shifting balance between threat prevention and detection
• The role managed service providers play in accelerating modernization and augmenting in-house staff

Speakers:
• Trevor Parks, Sr. Director Advanced Security Solutions, Comcast Business
• John Grady, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group

How SASE, XDR, and Managed Services Enhance Security Operations

The financial impact of a ransomware attack or data breach can cost a company millions of dollars, including not just ransomware payments, but lost revenue from business disruption. Meanwhile cybersecurity is becoming more complex as threat vectors evolve, AI attack tools become more prevalent and precise, and hybrid work environments expand the surfaces available for attacks.
Businesses need to take a proactive approach by adopting tools that help detect and respond to attacks in real time while also hunting for threats within your network environment.
In this webinar, we explore some best practices for minimizing the impact of cyberattacks and how Comcast Business Managed Detection and Response (MDR) can help.

Viewers will learn about:
• The potential financial impact a ransomware attack or data breach can have on a business 
• The typical lifecycle of a ransomware attack and the tools that can help defend at each stage
• Why companies often struggle with finding the right cybersecurity solutions
• How Comcast Business MDR, a fully managed cybersecurity service designed for security against evolving threats, can help defend against cyberattacks

A Day in the Life of a Ransomware Attack

The rise of health consumerism has led patients to demand a hyper-personalized experience. Healthcare organizations worldwide are now considering how future GenAI and technological investments provide real-time data access to speed response times, streamline the patient experience and lower costs.

Integrating innovative technologies like GenAI with data-optimized processes and workflows across the hospital ecosystem gives providers new ways to make diagnoses and deliver cutting-edge, personalized care. Join us for the upcoming webinar: How GenAI powers cutting-edge healthcare innovation and experiences, where IDC Health Insights Research Director Jennifer Eaton will discuss how:

• IDC predicts that by 2026, 60% of global healthcare organizations will double GenAI investment to scale hyper-personalized patient experiences, improve collaboration, and foster equity. 
• The healthcare industry is leveraging GenAI to address data and workflow fragmentation across care settings to improve diagnosis and patient safety to scale care anywhere.
• IDC predicts GenAI will free up to15% of clinicians' time, translating into an estimated $350 billion in annual global healthcare savings from workflow automation and efficiency.
• Tech partnerships are increasingly championing "techquity" to reduce the digital divide and recognize social determinants of health.

Speaker:
• Jennifer Eaton, IDC Health Insights, Research Director

How GenAI powers cutting-edge healthcare innovation and experiences

In a competitive hospitality landscape, optimizing operations and maximizing efficiency are crucial for success. The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation presents a powerful opportunity for hotels to transform their businesses. 
 
Explore how leading hotel organizations are using IoT and connected technologies to reshape operations, enhance guest satisfaction, and improve staff productivity and safety. Delve into market trends, practical IoT use cases, and the role of AI as a force multiplier that makes smart hotels a reality today.  

Attend this webinar to get the latest market insights and learn about: 

• Key trends driving DX initiatives to futureproof hotel operations and enhance guest experiences 
• How IoT and AI are helping create the smart hotel of today  
• Boosting operations and staff productivity with streamlined workflows, real-time location tracking, and time-saving monitoring and automation  
• Managing energy costs and boosting sustainability with intelligent utility management systems 
• Improving the guest experience with smart rooms that adjust to guest preferences and voice-controlled amenities 
• Key connectivity considerations for successful AI and IoT initiatives 

Speakers: 
• Dorothy Creamer, IDC Senior Research Manager, Hospitality and Travel Digital Transformation Strategies, IDC 
• Bryan Witkowski, Head of Product & Strategy, MachineQ, a Comcast Company

The Smart Hotel: How IoT and AI are Transforming Hospitality

Smart Hotel

Internet of Things

Artificial Intelligence

DX Initiatives

Sustainability

Hospitality

Automation

Connectivity

Welcome to the virtualization community on BrightTALK! Whether it affects servers, storage, networks, desktops or other parts of the data center, virtualization provides real benefits by reducing the resources needed for your
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practices for avoiding virtual machine sprawl and other common virtualization pitfalls as well as how you can make the most of your virtualization environment.

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The Smart Hotel: How IoT and AI are Transforming Hospitality

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