Cyberthreats are more sophisticated than ever. That’s why its critical for MSPs to have access to winning cybersecurity strategies.
Enter ChannelPro DEFEND: West, which gathered service providers, IT decision makers, consultants, and experts in the Los Angeles area to do just that. Together, the conference explored one crucial topic: How to transform cybersecurity services into a powerful profit driver.
The day-and-a-half conference in Newport Beach, CA, was packed with expert-led sessions, demonstrations, and top cybersecurity vendors. It offered invaluable insights and practical strategies for MSPs ready to boost their bottom lines by strengthening client defenses.
ChannelPro Founder Michael Siggins welcomes attendees to ChannelPro DEFEND: West.
This focus is critical for today’s MSPs. That’s because cybersecurity isn’t just a service offering — it’s a cornerstone of trust and business growth, according to Michael Siggins, founder of ChannelPro.
“Our audience is constantly navigating new threats, and we’re committed to equipping them with the security best practices they need to turn cybersecurity into both a shield for their clients and a profit driver for their business. ChannelPro DEFEND West attendees want to lead in this space, not follow, and are committed to helping us build a security-first MSP community.”
The Warm Up
The first day’s activities on Nov. 12 started strong with a presentation on building cyber resilience by MSP+ CEO Adam Bielanski, followed by sponsor breakout sessions by Technology Marketing Toolkit, SonicWall, and Inky.
After returning to the main stage, attendees learned about how to effectively manage insider threats during an informative panel discussion featuring Luis Alvarez of Alvarez Technology Group and Joseph Brunsman of the Brunsman Advisory Group, moderated by ChannelPro Senior Channel Editor Anjali Fluker.
After vendor presentations, and a sponsor panel on profitability — moderated by ChannelPro Tech Editor Matt Whitlock — Cybersecurity Sherpa Jennifer Bleam of MSP Sales Revolution closed out the day’s sessions with a lively interactive workshop on “The Art of Powerful Questions.”
The day concluded with finger foods, drinks, mingling with peers, and checking out key vendor offerings during an evening reception in the expo hall.
“I’ve been enjoying seeing all the different vendors that keep on top of what’s going on, being reminded of what they offer, and filling in the gaps where we have gaps,” said Melissa Prince, partner with Las Vegas-based MSP 2MP Group LLC.
AI, Onboarding, and Compliance + Security
Jennifer Bleam gets the crowd involved in an AI activity.
The second day, Nov. 13, kicked with a networking breakfast, followed by a two-part conversation on innovative ways to use AI for improving security. Whitlock began by doing a one-on-one interview with Bielanski on ways he finds AI to be useful in the business, followed by an interactive demonstration by Bleam on how to use ChatGPT, in which attendees offered instructions that she then entered into her queries.
Attendees then gained practical insights from sessions on:
- Mastering the cybersecurity onboarding process, a panel discussion featuring Alvarez and Ian Richardson of Fox & Crow Group
- Building a profitable cybersecurity practice via bundling and pricing strategies, presented by Simpson
- How MSPs can best manage and profit from offering compliance services, a panel discussion featuring Richardson and attorney Blair Dawson of McDonald Hopkins
- Securing-focused strategies for winning more accounts, a panel discussion featuring Christopher Barber of Cheaper than a Geek and Lori Tisnai of Computer Concepts USA.
The session on compliance particularly caught the attention of Joe Heatherton, owner of Irvine, CA-based MSP Tekrange. “It was very informative, and I never really thought about the way they talked about having your customers be aware,” he shared. “And, I liked how they suggested bringing it up to your customers quite often because there there are changes they need to be aware of that and they need to know.”
Philip de Souza captivated the audience with his cybersecurity winning strategies.
Peppered throughout the day were informative presentations from event vendors — including a rousing “Lightning Round” of about 30 silver-level sponsors.
The educational portion of the event wrapped up with a compelling closing keynote. Philip de Souza of Aurora presented “Secrets from the MSSP Playbook.” His presentation balanced humor, proven cybersecurity strategies, and dynamic energy.
Sponsor Awards
In addition to free food, drinks, and prize bags valued at more than $1,500, attendees were eligible to win prizes and giveaways.
And attendees chose sponsor winners in the following categories:
- ROI Lighting Round Winner: Trusted Tech Collective
- Editor’s Choice: ProofPoint
- ChannelPro Community Award: ContraForce
- Best Breakout Session: SonicWall
- Best Add-on Product: Vicarius
- Best Cloud Solution: US Signal
- Best Distributor: Pax8
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Premium Sponsors): Pax8
- Best Expo Hall Presentation (Silver Sponsors): Channel Hunters
- Best Hardware Solution: Dell
- Best New Solution: Alta Labs
- Best On-stage Presentation: Galactic Advisors
- Best Product or Platform: BLOKWORX
- Best Revenue Booster: Galactic Advisors
- Best Security Solution: (tie) ThreatLocker and SonicWall
- Best Software Solution: Kaseya IT Complete
- Most Exciting Solution: ThreatLocker
- Best in Show: Kaseya IT Complete
Thanks to our Sponsors
ChannelPro DEFEND: West was possible due to the support of the best companies in the IT channel. First and foremost, these vendors are MSP partners. Their products and services drive your bottom line.
Many thanks to all of the event sponsors.
More to Come in 2025
The Nov. 12-13 gathering marked the end of ChannelPro’s 2024 in-person events. It also followed an East Coast version of the same event, held in Islen, NJ, on Aug 7-8. The unique and enriching lineup highlighted cybersecurity-focused discussions, networking opportunities, and expert insights tailored for a West Coast audience.
And in 2025, this event will expand to three locations: DEFEND: East in Boston, DEFEND: Central in the Dallas area, and DEFEND: West returning to Southern California.
If you missed out this year, be sure to mark your calendars for our events in 2025. Visit events.channelpronetwork.com for the full lineup of online and in-person gatherings.
