In this CXO Interview, Tony Uphoff speaks with Glen Vondrick, CEO of CoSo Cloud, which provides a cloud platform for secure audio and video content. Tony and Glen discuss what the company does and how it sees the remote and hybrid work trend going forward, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity in the context of a distributed workforce.
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Highlights
01:03 — Vondrick explains how CoSo Cloud built a platform that manages the intricate frequencies of audio, video, and multimedia, which can often destroy bandwidth, while also adding security to these systems. CoSo Cloud is aimed at businesses that need to conduct important audio and video conferencing meetings, mostly for training or sensitive content, in a secure environment. CoSo Cloud has all the necessary security authorizations to allow people to conduct that type of business safely and securely.
03:13 — There are two major trends that Vondrick sees right now that make CoSo’s solution particularly relevant. The first is the work-from-home phenomenon, which has led to the rise of distributed workforces. The second is the increase in bandwidth and the prevalence of devices in technology. Vondrick recalls the days when “you had to go into the office to make phone calls,” and it was almost impossible to take work home in many jobs. Now, everyone has access to make phone calls from anywhere and can work remotely with ease.
04:06 — Tony remarks that we are living through the first time in history where we’ve separated work from the physical location of work. Where does Vondrick see the trend of hybrid/remote work going over the next few years?
04:54 — Vondrick agrees that the pandemic has accelerated the remote work trend, and many people have grown accustomed to the flexibility and convenience it provides, but he points out that there are still certain industries and job functions that require physical presence and collaboration. He predicts that we will continue to see a hybrid model where some people work remotely and others work in a physical office.
06:18 — Tony asks for two or three cybersecurity concerns, in the context of remote work, that Vondrick is hearing from companies and clients.
06:50 — CoSo’s customers are typically large corporations with a distributed workforce or government agencies. They understand the trend towards remote work and have to figure out how to do it while dealing with security, but they are also tackling the human factor, like ensuring that workers are engaged without intrusive monitoring. CoSo’s customers realize that the remote work train has left the station, and now they have to protect information from accidental or willful disclosure. They need to understand how to deal with this phenomenon while making sure it doesn’t appear as if they are spying on their employees.
08:58 — Vondrick says that the cybersecurity challenges in remote work are not technological, but rather human. The technology required for security and access control is already available and continues to evolve. However, the challenge lies in managing people and making sure they are engaging in the right way. It is important to recognize that while technical solutions for collaboration and security are critical, they may not be enough to fully address the needs of the human element in remote work.
10:09 — Tony asks Vondrick what CoSo’s priorities are for 2023, and the core things that Vondrick is focused on, on behalf of his customers at CoSo Cloud.
10:22 — CoSo Cloud wants to provide specialized applications that can run on top of videoconferencing platforms to support different lines of business activities. CoSo’s vision is to create a world where it doesn’t matter what standard solutions the IT department has picked. There will always be specialized applications required to support different business needs. This is where the company excels.
11:36 — Vondrick likens the approach to the body shop model. You can buy a car from any dealer, but you can also add a lot of other customized features. CoSo wants to be a trusted partner that can help customers customize and rebrand their solutions to fit their specific business needs. Its goal is to broaden its offerings and become a go-to provider for specialized applications that integrate with different web conferencing systems.
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