In a special two-part episode of Channel Insider: Partner POV, host Katie Bavoso spoke with TJ Houske, CEO of OTAVA, about the introduction of the company’s new S.E.C.U.R.E. framework and his views on AI security.
Houske’s diverse background in engineering, architecture, and strategic business development has been instrumental in driving OTAVA’s ingenious approach to multi-cloud solutions and security. His expertise offers a unique perspective at the intersection of business and security.
OTAVA: From ‘bare metal to secure and compliant multi-cloud solution’
In the first part of the interview, Houske explained OTAVA’s evolution over its three decades of existence, noting that the company started as a “bare metal,” evolved into cloud with roots in “data protection and compliance,” and has transitioned into a “secure and compliant multi-cloud solution” provider.
Houske highlighted OTAVA’s focus on providing secure multi-cloud solutions, emphasizing the importance of continuous security posture advancement and the introduction of the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework.
Listen to Part 1 of the podcast:
Watch the Part 1 video:
The S.E.C.U.R.E. framework
Houske provided insights into OTAVA’s new S.E.C.U.R.E. framework. “OTAVA introduced the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework to support organizations’ continuous security posture advancement,” said Houske.
The components of the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework are as follows:
- Shrink: Managed firewall, WAF (web application firewall), and MFA (multi-factor authentication).
- Examine: Monitoring and reporting.
- Contain: Endpoint AM, server AM, and email security.
- Undo: BaaS (backup as a service) and DPaaS (data protection as a service).
- Recover: DRaaS (disaster recovery as a service).
- Evaluate: Patching vulnerability and scanning.
Houske further explained that the framework was designed to provide a clear and practical approach to security, combating the trends of confusion and complexity in the tech industry.
“I think that genuinely, there are a lot of companies that make a lot of profit on confusion, and to make this simple, it’s still complex; it just doesn’t have to be complicated. I really like that; that’s what the framework allows us to do: have more thorough conversations that really help customers get the business outcomes that they’re trying to achieve.”
Use case scenario and application of the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework
“When you talk about S.E.C.U.R.E. from a use case scenario from a consumer standpoint, how do they apply the framework in real time?” asked Bavoso.
In response, Houske broke down a use-case scenario using the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework. He emphasized the importance of reducing threat vectors, examining the effectiveness of security measures, containing security incidents, undoing any damage, recovering from incidents, and continuously evaluating security measures. By following this framework, organizations can better protect themselves from security threats and recover quickly in case of an incident.
Focus on AI and security
OTAVA CEO Houske touched on the growing importance of AI security in the current market landscape. Referencing his speech at the Channel Partners Expo, “At the Expo, you know the topic that they asked me to spend time on was securing generative AI,” said Houske.
He discussed concepts such as data anonymization, the ethical use of AI, and the importance of governance in AI implementation. Houske explained how the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework can be applied to AI security, providing a structured approach to protect against potential risks and ensure responsible AI usage.
For more on how MSPs can properly use AI, read MSPs’ Guide to Building an AI Strategy.
Vendors supporting the S.E.C.U.R.E. framework
“What vendors or solutions are supporting the secure framework?” asked Bavoso.
Houske highlighted Fortinet and Broadcom as vendors that OTAVA is particularly “bullish” on. He commended Fortinet for its platform-based ecosystem, which offers comprehensive security solutions aligned with OTAVA’s multi-cloud approach. Additionally, he spoke highly of Broadcom’s workload optimization and security capabilities, emphasizing the significance of choosing established and reputable vendors to safeguard critical data and assets.
Becoming a Premier Partner in the Broadcom Partner Program
In part two of the interview, Bavaso and Houske discussed the impact of changes in VMware licensing following Broadcom’s acquisition. Houske also delved into OTAVA’s experience joining the Broadcom Advantage Partner Program.
“We have an ecosystem. We’ve done well with it over the years. Now, it’s maturing and evolving to include new elements that relate specifically to the Broadcom program. But that’s not new to OTAVA. We’ve been doing that for a very long time, and we have hundreds of partners that already participate, both agent, reseller, and white label, you know, into that system,” said Houske.
Listen to Part 2 of the podcast:
Watch the Part 2 video:
Impact of millennial buyers
Regarding the changing landscape of buyers, Houske pointed out that millennials are more educated and more decisive in their purchasing decisions. He emphasized the importance of understanding buyer behavior and providing quick, relevant responses to meet their expectations.
“If you can be quicker to get to the facts and answer those questions for them to show relevancy, you have a great opportunity, and you can move a lot quicker,” said Houske. “That’s the biggest change that I see and I respect it.”
Getting in touch with OTAVA
You can contact OTAVA by visiting their website, watching their content on YouTube, listening to their podcast episodes on platforms like Apple and Spotify, or contacting their sales team to schedule a consultation.
Plug in to the video or podcast above to gain more insights from Katie Bavoso and TJ Houske. Remember to like and subscribe for future interviews, special episodes, and opportunities!
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