Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem Summit (CDES) AT TopGolf

Arrive by 8:30 AM to enjoy some breakfast and coffee while networking with local cyber peers!

Your network is your net worth!

Welcome with a brief update on the latest CDE community benefits, now serving over 8,000 cyber-first members.

The Cybersecurity Defense Ecosystem is a dedicated community and resource for Cybersecurity-First MSPs, MSSPs, SOCs, and CISOs, focused on building resilient cybersecurity practice.

These small regional summits serve as local meet-ups for our cybersecurity-first community (max 100 attendees) as well as potentially new members to network, learn, and explore resources to strengthen cyber posture and managed services.

Join a local chapter for year-round networking and learning opportunities.

Leverage a powerful resource of the CISO-approved cybersecurity solutions, tools, and related services - all year long.

CISOs and related cybersecurity professionals are welcomed to come learn and network with the channel community to help fulfill their cybersecurity mandates.

1. Meet, network and partner with local cyber peers and experts.
2. Learn the latest in cybersecurity
3. Find solutions to every cybersecurity challenge.
4. Leverage special tools and on-demand services like cybersecurity insurance, fractional vCISO services, security posture review and more.

The rapid rise of Autonomous AI Agentic hacking is fundamentally altering the security landscape as most experts know, and it is a fast-rising trend you cannot afford to underestimate.

In this panel discussion of AI and Cyber experts, you will get the latest insights on how to best prepare and defend against AI with AI and humans in the loop.

In this new AI environment, the speed at which we detect, mitigate, and recover from threats is absolutely mission-critical.

It is time to move beyond conventional cyber defenses. Embracing an AI-centric strategy that keeps humans in the loop is the only way to stay protected.

The industry is at a major turning point. Research firm Omdia notes that cybersecurity is currently facing shifts more significant than any seen in the last ten years, driven by the simultaneous convergence of platform consolidation, geopolitical shifts, AI transformation, and workforce disruption.

We see this reality reflected on the frontlines of the cybersecurity channel. Although the top 20 vendors capture 66% of global spending, they remain vulnerable to breaches, leaving thousands of other vendors to address the remaining security gaps. While everyone plays a part, the primary obstacles remain cost and expertise, alongside evolving regulations like data sovereignty and compliance that are forcing a total rethink of strategy.

Managing the risks inherent in AI usage is also vital. The lack of a "delete" function in AI means that accidental data exposure is a persistent threat, with "Shadow AI" now joining Shadow IT as a major concern. As applications increasingly integrate AI, non-human entities like APIs are accessing and sharing data at an unprecedented scale. Furthermore, the deployment of Autonomous AI Agents—which can act and share information without direct user awareness—makes the control of these agents a mission-critical priority.

As businesses continue to adopt AI-powered solutions, it is paramount to establish strict governance and monitoring to counter risks such as AI poisoning, shadow AI, and improper employee usage.

AI has become a ubiquitous weapon for both attackers and defenders in the cyber war. Our objective is to construct a superior defense for the AI era by shifting from reactive tactics to predictive security and high-speed response. This means not just refining prioritization and reducing false positives, but fundamentally remaining ahead of the curve.

There are several components to the best Cybersecurity practice and it's evolving. Compliance, regulations, privacy, insurance, supply chain, and other legal issues play a critical role in your cybersecurity posture.

In many cases defendable compliance is required to do business with an increasing number of organizations.

Today, it's vital to keep ahead of the latest government and insurance regulations (both in-country and international). How do you get into compliance and stay compliant moving forward, and be able to prove it in case you have to in court or facilitate a claim with your insurance provider.

Our panel of experts will discuss the solutions to these challenges.

Are you ready for this?

What will you do when the breach happens? You may be surprised to know what happens even by those who are well prepared.

Protecting yourself and your clients from cyber attacks has its limits, and a breach is highly probable despite best efforts. Even with frequent "cyber fire drills," most organizations remain unprepared for the reality of an intrusion.

The process is daunting: detecting the break, halting the breach, and investigating the timeline and methods used. You must then expel the attacker, verify the blast radius, and identify exactly which data was compromised, all while recovering systems, patching vulnerabilities, and addressing legal and PR consequences.

To help navigate these challenges, our "A-Team" of cybersecurity incident specialists DFIRs, CISOs, MSSPs and SOCs will offer essential insights into cutting-edge trends in breach detection, mediation, and recovery management. You will also hear unique perspectives from veteran Incident Response professionals.

If you are not ready for breach day, then you better know who to call to help save the day.

These experts will be available to answer your questions during our Mastermind Peer-Group sessions.

Security service providers don't need more vendor options—they need better-fitting ones. Chasing every compelling pitch spreads capacity thin across too many relationships, mastering none. The alternative is a disciplined framework for evaluating vendors on fit, quality, room to add value, marketability, ecosystem strength, and how crowded the field really is. Larry Walsh, Chief Analyst at Channelnomics, will provide guidance on how MSSPs should assess their security vendors.

Catch 2-minute pitches on cyber innovative solutions.
You'll get a high-level overview of select solutions and business tools, then vote for your favourite pitch.

Identify the vendors and tools that best fit your needs, and meet them later in the afternoon at their golf bay to dive deeper.

Vendors will be at their private golf bays, so you can meet, explore opportunities and potentially become a partner.

What's on YOUR mind? The session will feature an open mic discussion where the entire audience can engage and ask questions about the business of cybersecurity.

Join the exhibitors who will be hosting their exclusive golf-bay area to meet and play fun golf games. Everyone welcome. Drinks and food will be available.

Every MSP owner eventually asks the same question: what is my business actually worth, and who would buy it?

This session puts you in front of the financial investors who acquire cyber-first MSPs and MSSPs. They will tell you what drives valuation, what earns a higher multiple, and what makes a deal fall apart in diligence. Bring your questions. These are active acquirers with capital, and every one of them has been vetted.

After the panel, meet them one-on-one or in smaller groups. Whether you are thinking about selling next year or in ten years, the relationship starts with a conversation.

Come prepared. Complete your free MSP profile, and run the 15-Seconds valuation to find out what your MSP is worth ($79 for attendees, normally $295). Bring both printouts. The MSPs who stand out are the ones who arrive with their numbers organized.

Hosted by Paul Daigle, creator of the MSP Business Evaluator and the MSP Business Growth Marketplace. Paul built, scaled, and sold his own MSP, has advised on more than 700 M and A transactions, and manages over $1 billion in assets.

Understand what investors are looking for when they acquirer an MSP or MSSP. These financial investors will discuss all aspects and answer your questions. After you can meet with them one-on-one or in smaller groups.

MSPs and MSSPs: come prepared for the afternoon MandA session.

The investors in the room evaluate dozens of MSPs. The ones who stand out arrive with their numbers organized. Complete the free MSP profile before the event and bring the printout. It puts your business on paper in the terms investors use, so you are a serious conversation rather than a first introduction.

Want to get the most value from the session? Bring two documents to the investor conversations:

1. Your MSP profile (free): https://bizadvisoryboard.com/mspwellmatched_seller_questionnaire/

2. Recommended - Your valuation report ($79, normally $295, code CDESVAL73): https://bizadvisoryboard.com/msp-business-valuation/ How Much Is Your MSP Worth?

Investors will ask what your business is worth. Have the answer, and the numbers behind it.

Going further: the MSP Business Evaluator; Accelerator is the full diagnostic across all 8 Operational Focus Areas. It shows you where you stand against your peers and what to fix to raise your value. 10% off with code CDESACC10 (up to $995 off depending on version): https://bizadvisoryboard.com/msp-business-valuation/

Free: the $100M MSP Scaling Roadmap, three versions (Performance, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources). 100% off with code CDESROAD100: https://bizadvisoryboard.com/shop/

ABOUT THE INVESTORS

The investors in the room have been vetted.

Investors who register for the MandA session complete a detailed questionnaire covering their acquisition criteria, capital position, target profile, deal structures, and track record. Paul Daigle reviews every one and selects the afternoon panel from that pool. These are active acquirers with capital, not tire-kickers.

You will know who you are talking to, and they will be prepared to talk about your business.

For those who do NOT want to play Golf Games or simply want more, you have an option to participate in a Mastermind Peer-Group whereby you collaborate with your peers to solve your pain points.

1. Building Valuation to Exit Your MSP at The Maximum Multiple. Michael Contento will host a special session to help you maximize your sell price.

2. Cybersecurity. Several experts will answer ANY question you have on cybersecurity.

If you do not know what a Mastermind Peer-Group is about check out https://www.channelpartneralliance.com/#home

Even after the event officially concludes, the conversations usually continue. We often head out for dinner or gather at the bar to keep the discussions going in a more relaxed setting.