Explain IT

On this edition of Explain IT we're discussing how to power your SOC. No, we're not talking super powered footwear. SOC stands for Security Operations Centre, and it’s where cyber experts battle threats posed against your data day and night.We know security is a key part of any business, to protect your best kept secrets, and to keep third parties out of your information. But with a massive lack of Cyber Security skills in the market and the cost of Cybercrime skyrocketing year after year, how do we use technology to bridge the gap and keep our companies safe?In today’s episode we’ll pull back the curtain with the help of our expert guests Josh Bates, Softcat’s technologist for Microsoft Security; Paul Solomon, Softcat’s Head of Cyber Security Services, and Emma Boughton, Security, Compliance and Identity Specialist at Microsoft. The podcast is hosted by Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture.Have you got a burning question for the team? Please send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

AI has been making headlines for a while now, and this year we’ll see more and more businesses adopting it to improve their performance and efficiency. But how do we ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical way? How do we avoid the risks and pitfalls that come with such a powerful technology? And how do we stop AI from getting out of control?Podcast host Helen Gidney, Softcat’s Head of Architecture, along with a team of experts are here to answer these questions and talk tech in simple jargon free language.In this episode we get the help of our expert guests Arran Speding, Softcat's AI specialist lead, and Rebecca Gorman, CEO of one of our good friends Aligned AI.Any questions? Please send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis episode was produced by The Podcast Coach.

Part two of our Tech Predictions for 2024! You can hear part one, here.In the past twelve months, Explain I.T has generated over 20,000 unique downloads and covered an array of topics.In the present, we have a collective group of Softcat technologists here to share their thoughts on tech. And in the future, Explain I.T will have a new presenter; Helen Gidney, Softcat's very own Head of Architecture. So, along with Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, join Helen along with a whole host of tech experts as they look ahead to the key innovations and challenges we might see in 2024. As ever, we're here to Explain I.T as we talk tech in simple, jargon free language, all brought to you by Softcat. Also featuring on this episode are:Gary Hawkins - Chief Technologist - Data PlatformsKieron Newsham - Chief Technologist - Cyber SecurityJack Lewis - Chief Technologist - Digital WorkspaceTom Rowley - Chief Technologist - Networking and ConnectivityRichard Lamacraft - Chief Technologist - MicrosoftAdam Harding - Head of OCTO Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis episode was produced by The Podcast Coach.

In the past twelve months, Explain I.T has generated over 20,000 unique downloads and covered an array of topics. In the present, we have a collective group of softcat technologists here to share their thoughts on tech.  And in the future, Explain I.T will have a new presenter; Helen Gidney, Softcat's very own Head of Architecture.  So, along with Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, join Helen along with a whole host of tech experts as they look ahead to the key innovations and challenges we might see in 2024.  As ever, we're here to Explain I.T as we talk tech in simple, jargon free language, all brought to you by Softcat. Also featuring on this episode are:Gary Hawkins - Chief Technologist - Data PlatformsKieron Newsham - Chief Technologist - Cyber SecurityJack Lewis - Chief Technologist - Digital WorkspaceTom Rowley - Chief Technologist - Networking and ConnectivityRichard Lamacraft - Chief Technologist - MicrosoftAdam Harding - Head of OCTO Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Our team of experts are here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language, and today is no exception, although we do come with a twist.Today we are covering the automotive industry and how it continues to modernise by innovating, designing and building the now and future transportation that positively impacts all of us.What challenges and pressures face the industry? The level of technology advancements over the years appears to be driving so many global initiatives such as electrification, AI and edge. But why is this the case? To provide insights, answer these questions and to ignite the engines, we have a pit crew that is the envy of many. Please welcome Softcat's very own sales leader in the transport and automotive space, Chris Reynolds. Bryan Ross from our partners at VMWare, and an incredibly special guest from our good friends at Jaguar Land Rover, Mike Skaife.This podcast is hosted by Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

Dean Gardner, Softcat's Technology Director, hosts another episode of Explain I.T. Another team of experts are here to talk tech in simple, jargon free language.Are you open to AI? Yes, we are, but not in the sense of OpenAI who appear to have performed a fire rehire and resign strategy in less than a week. We are open to AI in the sense that it's now part of every conversation.But to what degree will we use AI? How will it impact our everyday lives? And what are the risks and what are the possibilities to answer those questions? And also open to AI is our very own Arran Speding, Softcat's AI specialist, and two amazing guests from our friends at Nvidia. Jon Jenner and Ross Verrall.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

We are motoring towards the end of year like an AI powered electric scooter - and yes, they actually do exist thanks to UK tech startup Hilo One.In a world where AI is now taking charge in every aspect of our daily lives, Microsoft has recently released a Copilot. AI driven, all encompassing, innovation of the ages.What is it? Why do we need it? What are the risks of implementing this technology? And will it change, evolve and revolutionise our lives? To answer these questions on this episode of Explain IT are Alex Pierce, our very own chief strategist and MVP, Abi Dakin, chief strategist cyber GRC, and Bradley Howe, our leading Microsoft technologist for Workspace.Dean Gardner, Softcat’s technology director is your Explain IT host. We are here to ‘explain it’ every episode. Our team of experts are here to talk tech in simple jargon free language and today is no exception.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.ukThis episode has been produced by The Podcast Coach.

Hello and welcome back to Softcats Explain It Podcast series. This is episode seven of season six, and we are here after a small break in the schedule. And we are back with a corker. My name is Dean Gardner, softcats technology director, and I'm still the host after a busy few months of AI.Today, we are heading into the quantum realm. Is quantum a reality? How fast will it move? And what are the motivations for moving to quantum computing? And actually, what are the possibilities, as they appear to be potentially endless? So, to help me become enlightened, I'm joined by Softcat's very own Jon Snow, Gareth Price, Softcat's Head of Corporate sales of the North, and Adam Hammond, our quantum expert from our very good friends at IBM.Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk

'Customer focus', 'customer obsession' and 'customer first' should surely be at the front of every organisation, but are they? Are we solely relying on technology to solve customer outcomes? Is it old fashioned to say that listening, understanding and being empathetic and solving challenges equally are more important than the tech we provide? This time, we tackle all these questions and much more on Explain I.T, where we talk tech in simple, jargon free language.This podcast is hosted by Dean Gardner, Softcat’s Technology Director. Joining Dean are Softcat’s Head of Customer Experience, Amy Bain; and James Dukes, Head of Partner Services Sales - EMEAR at Cisco.This episode was completed in partnership with Cisco, an organisation Softcat work very closely with on numerous projects. Cisco is a major player in the technology industry with a wide range of products and services that help connect people and businesses around the world. Ask questions, send us an email to explainit@softcat.com Make sure you follow the ExplainIT podcast in all the usual places and join us on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of tech. You can also find out more anytime you like at Softcat.com This podcast is produced by www.thepodcastcoach.co.uk