[1 CPE] Modernizing Your DR Strategy

  Presented by Scott Hetrick, Pre-Sales SE Manager NAM • Quest Software

Creating a DR plan is a must. Understanding where to begin and where you want to be can offer challenges. We must start at the beginning which entails bringing in all stakeholders and understanding the Data. Many times, it’s obvious that there are power failures, server failures, DB failures etc. However, we must understand the value of the data in each department. During this presentation, we’ll focus on how to create a DR plan with the Data being centric. By looking at things from this perspective you’ll better understand the value of the data which will allow you to create a DR plan that incorporates immutability and storage.

[1 CPE] Data Backup Best Practice for SMEs

  Presented by Jane Garrity, Director Channels, North America • Macrium Software

Data is one of the most valuable resources in the world, so doesn’t it make sense to keep such an important asset safe? In the same way that businesses insure physical assets and employees, backup protects data. As life is unpredictable and people can make mistakes, whether a natural disaster, hardware failure, or an employee accidentally infecting your network with a nasty virus, having current backups gives you peace of mind. In this session, we will review the proactive approach to data loss.

We will provide a broad yet critical overview of data protection, which will require us to discuss how data is imperative to business operations. We’ll cover the everyday risks to your business’s data, the consequences of data loss, and the significance of developing a data backup plan. We approach topics like understanding your business needs, analyzing the data backup types and methods, and knowing how to equip your teams for data backup and recovery best practices. As a trustworthy and reliable leader in backup software protection, Macrium Software is delighted and compelled to explore backup that can scale to meet the needs of your business.

[1 CPE] How AI Can Think Like an Attacker

  Presented by Darktrace

In the face of skyrocketing cyber risk, detecting and responding to attacks is no longer enough. Organizations must take proactive steps to prevent threats before they happen and to recover if compromised. In this session, Darktrace unveil an ambitious new approach to security, with core engines powering AI technologies to prevent, detect, respond, and ultimately heal from attacks across all areas of their digital environment. Together, these engines combine to strengthen organizations’ security posture in a virtuous AI feedback ‘loop,’ which provides powerful end-to-end, bespoke, and self-learning solutions unique to each organization.

[1 CPE] Navigating the Tech Terrain: Microsoft’s Evolution, Copilot’s Journey, and Apple’s Intriguing Intersection

  Presented by Alex Esterly, Sr Solutions Architect • iT1 Source

In this session, we will explore the latest developments in the Microsoft space, focusing on how these innovations will empower businesses. Microsoft is at the forefront of increasing productivity with new updates leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that cater to user-centric technology. One key highlight is the ability to seamlessly integrate and manage both Microsoft and Apple devices, providing comprehensive support for a diverse and evolving workforce. Join us for an insightful discussion on the trending conversations in the tech world and discover how Microsoft is shaping the future of business enablement.

[1 CPE] The Ukrainian Paradox

  Presented by Jerry Petru, President • InfraGard Washington

This session is designed for individuals interested in interrogating the far-reaching cybersecurity impact of the war in Ukraine. We will cover how to prepare your organization for a bad day; what combat electronic warfare is and whether it is different from cybercriminal activity; the tactics and techniques of a cyber guerrilla force; how drones are changing the attack vector of security; and why having a detailed action plan for incident response is critical and where to find reliable information. This presentation is based on facts and information gathered by a former US Army Special Force Operator (Green Beret) who has family and friends in Ukraine. This session will be an open and free-flowing discussion of real-world issues; attendees are encouraged to ask questions.

Bio: Jerry Petru is the President of the Washington State InfraGard Chapter and a Fellow of the British Computer Society, The Charted Institute for IT. He is an innovative and technically sophisticated professional, offering substantial years of broad-based experience in evaluating large corporate systems. Powered with a comprehensive background in development and implementation, he has authored more than forty-seven different courses based on AIX, Encryption, Linux, Networking, Security, and Virtualization technologies teaching to an audience of tens of thousands around the world for the past twenty-five years.

Mr. Petru is equipped with a proven track record of success in designing and implementing systems and policies based on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability to meet business continuity and disaster recovery for long-range strategic plans of Fortune 100 Companies. He is also armed with stellar qualifications in all facets of project lifecycle development, from initial analysis and conceptual design to implementation, quality review, and enhancement to optimize operational efficiencies that improve business and IT operations.

[1 CPE] Modern Segmentation Architectures

  Presented by Joe Lentz, Systems Engineer • Arista Networks

In this presentation, we will explore the different network segmentation models available, including VLANs, VRFs, and group-based segmentation models.

We will begin with an overview of the different segmentation models and discuss their benefits and drawbacks. VLANs provide a simple way to segment traffic but do not scale well in larger environments. VRFs offer more robust isolation but can be complex to manage. Group-based segmentation models offer a flexible and scalable way to segment traffic based on the endpoint itself rather than the network. We will discuss the implementation and configuration of each of these models and provide examples of how they can be used in different scenarios.

Next, we will discuss how EVPN with either VXLAN or MPLS transport can be used as an attachment point to allow for segmentation to cross the network device boundary and become a network-wide policy.

Finally, we will compare the different models to help you choose the best segmentation approach for your network, as well as how to layer these together to have a more complete design. By the end of this presentation, you will have a better understanding of modern segmentation architectures and be equipped to make informed decisions for your network.

[1 CPE] Zero Trust—Let’s Dive into Security

  Presented by Kevin Heide, Director of Enterprise Networking • Cerium Networks

Spend the morning with us while we explore the world of Zero Trust Architecture—but with a twist. Instead of a high-level overview of this strategic cybersecurity approach, we’ll get hands-on and show you practical examples using tools and environments that most of us are already familiar with.

Buckle up and join us on this exciting journey as we learn how to integrate different elements and policies across our organizations. We’ll also focus on optimizing our policies and enhancing threat protection.

[1 CPE] Unleashing the Power of the Microsoft Power Platform

  Presented by Marie Stavish, BAI Engineer • Univision Computers

Join this session as we explore the business value of the Microsoft Power Platform and discover how it can empower any organization. Our learning objectives for this session are comprehensive, ranging from understanding the fundamental concepts of Power Platform to diving into its integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services. We will explore connectors, data organization with Microsoft Dataverse, collaboration through Microsoft Teams, synergies with Dynamics 365, and even harnessing the power of Azure Services. Additionally, we will discuss how Power Platform apps work together seamlessly to create efficient solutions that boost productivity. So, fasten your seatbelts, as we unravel the potential of Microsoft Power Platform.