Cybercrime is reaching crisis levels, with artificial intelligence and automation enhancing decades-old threat vectors. According to the Global Times, the projected cost of cybercrime will reach $10.5 trillion globally this year. In fact, if these costs were represented as an economy, it would be the third largest GDP in the world behind the United States and China.
At ChannelPro DEFEND Central in Dallas, MSP leaders from Texas gathered to learn and share techniques for safeguarding small businesses without sacrificing profitability.
Ian Thornton-Trump offers insights on ethical hacking.
The day-and-a-half event featured engaging expert-led sessions, peer networking, and in-depth conversations with — and demos by — top cybersecurity vendors.
“Small and midsized businesses need more than the basics. MSPs have to deliver cybersecurity excellence,” said ChannelPro Tech Editor Matt Whitlock. “DEFEND delivers exactly what technology businesses need to achieve that. But the thing that makes a cybersecurity event stand out is a vibrant, highly-engaged community. That’s Dallas in a nutshell.”
The Opening Act
The first day’s activities on March 11 started strong with a “Q&A with an Ethical Hacker.” Certified Ethical Hacker Ian Thornton-Trump of Inversion6 offered examples of his past hacking experiences and provided key insights about ways MSPs can leverage ethical hacking services to boost their cybersecurity offerings.
After in-depth educational breakout sessions by Kaseya and SonicWall, attendees played an interactive game called “MSP March Madness.” Contestants answered security questions while the rest of the audience voted, bracket-style, on who supplied the best answers.
Next up was an insightful discussion featuring industry experts from LastPass, Seceon, SonicWall, and Kaseya. The panel topic, “The Key to Unlocking Big Profits: What Vendors Know That MSPs Often Don’t”, covered tips, tricks, and often-overlooked strategies that help MSPs make more money.
“I enjoyed the discussion on their experiences. We can learn from each one of them and what they’ve been through, but they all have a common message,” said attendee Tammy Jahnke, a tech in training for Moody PC in Hurst, TX. “It was really great learning about all the new things going on.”
After the vendor panel, the conversation shifted to compliance. “CMMC: The Dire Implications for Your MSP” featured ChannelPro’s Senior Channel Editor Anjali Fluker and two special guests: Blair Dawson, cybercrime law expert and member at law firm McDonald Hopkins, and Fernando Machado, a noted Lead CMMC Certified Assessor and CMMC Certified Professional whose contributions to developing cybersecurity standards earned him the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
ChannelPro’s Michael Siggins (left) interviews Wayne Hunter, winner of the Partner in Excellence Award
Recognizing Greatness as Day 1 Concludes
At the close Day 1, ChannelPro Founder and Publisher Michael Siggins revealed a special recognition for Texas: the Partner in Excellence Award. The winner, Wayne Hunter, is founder and CEO of Allen, TX-based MSP AvTek Solutions. Hunter also is well known for his efforts to support the IT channel and mentor emerging MSPs.
Andres Plaza, the CEO of the Navarre, Florida-headquartered MSP OneconnectionIT, previously shared his thoughts about Hunter on LinkedIn. He said, “His knowledge, work ethic, and dedication to building strong relationships make him an invaluable leader in the industry.”
The day concluded with appetizers, drinks, peer networking, and highly engaging vendor conversations on the expo hall floor.
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Cybersecurity: Risks, Challenges, and Massive Opportunities
Heather Noggle and Neil Medwed discuss big issues facing Texas MSPs.
Day 2 began with a networking breakfast, where MSPs mingled as they geared up for a jam-packed schedule of sessions covering operational excellence, security best practices, and regional challenges that Dallas-area MSPs face. The educational sessions of the day were:
- New Cybersecurity Services You Aren’t Offering (But Should!): Thornton-Trump returned to the stage, joined by MSP Sales Revolution Founder Jennifer Bleam, to discuss a wide range of new security-services that MSPs can offer to make more money.
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The Good, Bad, and Ugly: The Biggest Issues Facing Texas MSPs in 2025: Native Texan and industry legend Neil Medwed of Meriplex joined forces with cybersecurity expert Heather Noggle of Codistac to provide Lonestar State-specific insights on natural disasters, the impact of state regulations on MSP operations, and more.
- Building the Perfect Security-focused MSP: Where to Start: In three separate fireside chats — Noggle, Intelos CEO James Wroten, and the CEO of New Horizon Data, Brian Hamilton — each walked through practical ways to improve MSP operations without sacrificing security through people, process, and technology, respectively.
- Windows 10 EOL: Don’t Squander the Opportunity: Hamilton and Bleam addressed the security challenges, strategies to overcome them, and benefits for MSPs in managing clients’ upgrades to Windows 11. Topics also included addressing client pushback and cross sell/upsell revenue opportunities.
“It’s all interesting and it sort of scares you,” shared Dave Joss, owner of Plano, TX-based MSP DGJ Network Solutions. “It lets you know that maybe you’re not doing everything you’re supposed to [to secure your clients].”
The final presentation of the day was by Chad Adams, supervisory cybersecurity advisor, Region VI for CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Adams’ presentation, Partnering with CISA to Improve Security and Increase MSP Revenue offered a roadmap on using CISA’s free resources to combat cybercrime.
Recognizing Vendor Excellence
The day concluded with special recognition for the event’s sponsors. Awards were presented to the following sponsors, as voted by the Dallas audience:
- Best Break-out Session: SonicWall
- Best Add-on Product: AP2T Labs
- Best Cloud Solution: SaaS Assure
- Best Distributor: Pax8
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Premium Sponsors): Kaseya
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Silver Sponsors): NUSO
David Sohn of Helpt responds to his own version of the bat signal, winning Helpt the ROI Lightning Round Award.
- Best Hardware Solution: SonicWall
- Best New Solution: ChannelHunters
- Best On-stage Presentation: SonicWall
- Best Product or Platform: Helpt
- Best Revenue Booster: Kaseya
- Best Security Solution: ThreatLocker
- Best Software Solution: Huntress
- Most Exciting Solution: Evo
- ROI Lightning Round Winner: Helpt
- Editor’s Choice: Calyptix Security
- Best in Show: Helpt
Sponsors Make It Happen
Many thanks to ChannelPro DEFEND Central’s world-class sponsors:
What’s Next for ChannelPro LIVE?
Following the successful Dallas show, ChannelPro’s nationwide tour continues. The next city to share in the top-tier education and networking event series is Chicago on April 1-2. This is an exclusive IT services event designed to help MSPs grow their businesses. Register early to secure a free hotel stay and maximize your experience.
Upcoming event locations also include New Jersey, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.
Don’t miss out! Join ChannelPro at the in-person forum near you. They are the best place for networking, emerging technology showcases, and expert advice from your peers.
Jonathan Browning contributed to this article.
