Last week, I embarked on an incredible journey to Nashville for the CyberArk Impact Conference, a trip that promised to be filled with professional growth, exciting announcements, and rich cultural experiences. The city, known for its vibrant music scene and warm hospitality, provided the perfect backdrop for this significant event in the cyber security calendar. What unfolded was a week that surpassed all expectations, leaving me inspired and eager to implement new strategies within our team at J Group.

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Partner Advisory Council (PAC)

One of the highlights was participating in the CyberArk Partner Advisory Council (PAC). I was honoured to be invited to sit on the PAC this year. The discussions covered various crucial topics related to CyberArk in an open conversation, providing invaluable insights and aligning our strategies with the broader cybersecurity community. The PAC meetings also offered a unique opportunity to connect and network with other professionals, sharing experiences and forging stronger relationships within the industry.

A special thank you to Chris Moore and Cindy Baptiste for organising the PAC and making us feel so welcome. Your efforts were truly appreciated.

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The Big Announcement: CyberArk Acquires Venafi

Day two of the conference brought thrilling news - the announcement of CyberArk's acquisition of Venafi. This significant move underscores CyberArk's commitment to enhancing identity security and bringing together the best technologies to protect our digital identities. The buzz and excitement around this announcement were palpable, and it was fantastic to witness such a milestone in person.

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Exploring Nashville

Beyond the conference, Nashville beckoned with its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere. I had the chance to explore the city, soaking in the historic sites and vibrant nightlife. Nashville offered plenty of opportunities to unwind and enjoy some downtime after the day's sessions.

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Impact Conference Highlights

The conference itself was packed with insightful sessions and keynote addresses. Listening to Matt Cohen discuss the major announcements and the evolution of identity security was particularly enlightening. His insights into how CyberArk continues to integrate solutions across the IAM silos, including the introduction of Cora AI and the newly acquired Venafi, were thought-provoking and inspiring.

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Advancements in CyberArk

A significant highlight of the conference was learning about the new roadmap for both Privileged Cloud and Self-Hosted CyberArk solutions. These advancements are poised to greatly enhance our capabilities at J Group, offering more robust and flexible solutions for our clients. Additionally, the introduction of new MSP capabilities is particularly exciting. We are eager to explore and integrate these new features, which will undoubtedly improve how we manage and deliver our services, ultimately allowing us to better serve our customers and clients.

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Keynote by Udi Mokady and Robert Herjavec

The keynote session featuring Udi Mokady and Robert Herjavec was a standout moment. Hearing them discuss their careers and perspectives on the future of cybersecurity was not only informative but also deeply motivating. Their experiences and insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats and defences were invaluable.

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The Adventures of Travelling

Of course, no trip is complete without a bit of travel adventure. The fun of travelling halfway across the world was amplified by a series of impacted flights, turning the journey back to Australia into a 51-hour odyssey. Andrew Clough and I experienced this extended trip, which allowed us to explore more parts of the US than initially planned, creating even more memories. It was an adventure in its own right, adding a light-hearted twist to the overall experience.

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Gratitude and Key Takeaways

A special thank you to everyone at CyberArk for being so accommodating and welcoming. Jason Choong, thank you for guiding us and introducing us to so many people at CyberArk, as well as the broader CyberArk ecosystem including other customers, partners, and CyberArk team members.

Accompanying me from J Group on this trip were Chris Pols and Andrew Clough. Their presence and contributions added great value to our experience, making the trip even more memorable and productive.

The many key takeaways from the conference, coupled with the connections made and the knowledge gained, will undoubtedly strengthen J Group's capabilities. This trip has reinforced our commitment to providing top-tier identity security solutions and has equipped us with new tools and strategies to better serve our customers.

In conclusion, the CyberArk Impact Conference in Nashville was a resounding success. The knowledge and connections gained will play a crucial role in driving our future initiatives and enhancing our service offerings. I am excited about the future and the continued collaboration with CyberArk and our industry partners.

Looking forward to next year's conference and the new advancements it will bring!

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Stay tuned for more news and updates as we integrate these new learnings and advancements into our operations. If you're interested in learning how J Group can enhance your organisation's cyber security posture, contact us today. Let's work together to build a safer digital future!

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