As the digital age unfolds, we continue to see seismic increases — decade-to-decade, year-to-year, and even month-to-month — in the amount of data we create as well as its value to us, both individually and collectively. From medical records, financial statements, and classified government documents to transactional processing systems, customer information, social media engagements, pictures of our pets, and so much more, data is the lifeblood of modern society.

The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” In Vegas, when you are on a roll, you are on a roll. To beat the odds, you must be smart and disciplined. Whether winning big at the tables or championships on the basketball court, there is no better feeling. Often athletes are asked what it means to win and they often don’t have the words to describe it. Winning, regardless of the endeavor, almost always is a team effort.

Have you ever been locked out of the house? Maybe you forgot your keys on the kitchen table, lost them running errands, or unknowingly dropped them while attempting the It doesn’t matter how you got locked out, or how you got back in. What’s more important, for the purposes of this thought exercise, at least, is how you responded.

Modern technology environments have become increasingly complex. This, as you might imagine, has had a wide-ranging impact on our organizations, IT teams, and priorities, especially when it comes to security.

Humans don’t like change. Whether it’s saying goodbye to your favorite pair of jeans, moving to a new house, or trying a new kind of coffee, we often resist change. But sometimes change is forced on us. For example: Over the past month or so, Broadcom rolled out tremendous changes to VMware licensing. This is why many of our customers and partners are wondering what the changes will mean to them.

These days, data breaches are as common as morning coffee — but far more bitter. According to Sophos’ State of Ransomware 2023 report, 66% of respondents revealed their organization was hit by ransomware in the last year. SonicWall’s mid-year update to its latest Cyber Threat Report found that internet of things (IoT) malware is up 37% globally from 2021, there’s been a 399% surge in cryptojacking, and encrypted threat attacks have jumped 22% globally.

We spend a lot of time focusing on simplifying cloud management and many of the most difficult IT challenges for our customers that we sometimes forget how unique this is. Which is why we were pleasantly surprised when CRN told us they were naming 11:11 Systems to its Stellar Cloud Startup list.

In today’s dynamic IT landscape, safeguarding your data — no matter where it lives — is non-negotiable. Doing so, however, is much easier said than done. Success requires the diligence to look under every rock for vulnerabilities and gaps in retention, even (and especially) in places you wouldn’t expect. Take Microsoft 365, for example. It’s no secret that it has changed productivity in the workplace forever.

The stark reality of cybersecurity today isn’t merely a question of advanced software or strategic counterattacks. It’s about people. The financial impact is undeniable with cybercrime costs projected to reach an astonishing $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Yet, beneath these figures lies a more pressing issue: the exploitation of human psychology.

We should all be concerned with our health and well-being. For the most part, we all aspire for good health. Now that doesn’t always mean we are perfect, but we understand the changes and course corrections necessary to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. This may include actions like getting more sleep, exercising regularly, routine doctor’s visits and making better food choices along the way.