Over the four days, we engaged in seminars, networking, and other exciting activities, leaving us informed and inspired about our industry’s direction. As well as helpful ideas to improve our current service offerings. Here’s a few of our best bits ⬇️
Networking, Insights and Freebies
Our experience at Cloudfest started by catching up with our current suppliers and getting informed about recent technological upgrades. Bytestock, one of our hardware suppliers, delivered an interesting talk shedding light on upcoming technologies and how they can help meet our goals.
Next stop, the Cloud Fair.
We took the chance to connect with potential new suppliers, seeing what they could offer and how their products could improve our current service offerings. And of course, we also enjoyed picking up some free merchandise (does anyone want a new pair of socks?!).
The Implications of Social Engineering
One of the most eye-opening sessions we attended (in Nicole’s opinion!) was the seminar on social engineering. This interactive talk was done by Abhishek Majithia, where he explored both human behaviour and psychology. We observed how seemingly harmless information can be used for harmful purposes.
The ease of how social engineering can manipulate individuals highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity awareness and the need for a robust defence system. It served as a clear reminder that in our digital world, staying vigilant is crucial for protecting sensitive information and your digital infrastructure.
With its deceptive tactics and manipulation of human psychology, social engineering shows its cleverness in infiltrating businesses, which could lead to devastating consequences through breaches of trust, data theft, and potential financial loss.
Exploring the Intricacies of Malware
Another session which stood out to us was on the inner workings of malware. It provided a fascinating perspective on one of the most pervasive threats facing the hosting industry.
Understanding the mechanics of malware is essential for strengthening our defences and staying one step ahead in the ongoing battle against cyber threats. This fascinating talk, delivered by one of our security vendors, talked through some of the techniques used to compromise websites, how we can enhance our security posture, and some of the motivations behind malware.
Embracing Refurbed Hardware in Hosting
An interesting food for thought, with much relevance today is the question of reusing hardware in web hosting. This shift in perspective prompts us to reconsider the traditional notion that new equates to shiny and better, but instead, invites us to explore the inherent value of reused hardware.
Embracing reused hardware contributes significantly to sustainability efforts by diverting electronic waste from landfills and minimising the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing new equipment. Also, by extending the lifespan of existing hardware through refurbishment and repurposing, we not only reduce the demand for raw materials but also mitigate the energy-intensive production processes required for manufacturing new devices.
As technology evolves, the performance gap between new and refurbished hardware continues to narrow, making reused equipment a viable and cost-effective alternative for hosting providers seeking to optimise their infrastructure without compromising on performance.
From the Server-throwing Championship to Rollercoaster Pitches, Cloudfest 2024 had it all. We found it hugely beneficial, forging new connections with suppliers to gaining invaluable insights into cybersecurity and emerging AI technologies. Keep an eye out for any new services and or feature improvements…