On October 23rd, we hosted a Westchester Local Social at Pour in Mt Kisco, bringing together HFTC members for a night of interactive discussions and relationship building. The event featured a diverse whiskey selection, delectable food offerings, and was a great opportunity to forge new connections. Conversations quickly turned into technical discussions on MSP pain points, guided by Martin Zahariev, highlighting that no single MSP excels universally. Attendees shared experiences and strategies for addressing MSP shortcomings, with varied views on managing multiple providers versus centralizing support. Thank you to all attendees, our sponsor Omega Systems, and Martin Zahariev for facilitating the discussion.

Our HFTC Live! on Zoom event "Is Zero Trust Possible?" brought together industry experts to discuss the intricacies of implementing a zero-trust security model. The panel explored critical topics, including the principles of Zero Trust such as least privilege, continuous monitoring, assume breach, and micro-segmentation. Discussions also covered the impact of Covid-19 on workforce expansion and geographic dispersion, as well as the Finra-mandated 4:1 inspection ratio. Insights were shared on the technological evolution, including the rise of BYOD and IoT devices, and the integration of traditional perimeter technologies with Zero Trust. Special thanks to our host, Louie Celiberti, and our sponsor, Atlas Technica, for their contributions to the event.

Security Simplified: The Great Platform Debate," hosted by Kevin Kennedy from Blackstone and Richard Mutzel from Omega Systems, addressed platform consolidation and cybersecurity strategies. Kevin discussed the challenges and benefits of consolidating security tools, while Rick emphasized the importance of regularly evaluating diverse cybersecurity solutions. The event highlighted the balance between AI and human decision-making in security operations, with AI filtering low-level issues and human expertise interpreting alerts. Participants shared strategies for optimizing security tools, making it an interactive and valuable discussion, with special thanks to Omega Systems for sponsoring the event.

What an incredible HFTC Live! In the Weeds: Smackdown – Intune vs. PDQ was one of our most successful sessions yet, with over 50 tech professionals exploring application and endpoint management. A huge thank you to our panelists—Sury Ramnarain, Rob Anglin, and Benjamin Saberin from Team Intune, and David Dinner, Jonathan Ku, and Yan Perepletchikov from Team PDQ—and to our moderator, Nate Prodromou, for guiding the engaging discussion. We covered topics like transitioning from scripts to PDQ for package deployment and the shift to Intune for app and cloud-based device management. With Team Intune winning the vote at 67%, the real victory was the valuable knowledge shared with our attendees. Special thanks to our sponsor, the Saberin Group, for making the event possible.

Hosted by Eric Vanek, the HFTC Live! Zoom event, "Navigating Unthinkable Risks: Preparing for Black Swan Events in Technology Leadership," featured powerful discussions with panelists Rey Pacheco, CTO at Samuel Ramirez and Company, and Roy Grego, Solutions Architect and Design Engineer at Marcum Technology. Key topics included the importance of learning from past Black Swan events and having comprehensive incident response plans, strategies for remote work and infrastructure management during disasters, building resilient teams through training and preparedness, and addressing AI's role in cybersecurity risks. Thank you to all participants for contributing to the conversation as we prepare to expect the unexpected in technology leadership.

On May 16th, our HFTC Live event explored data science within hedge funds, hosted by Carlos Capellán. Panelists Kyle Hu, Barry Moraller, and Benjamin Saberin from the Saberin Group shared insights on the roles and challenges of data scientists, tech stacks, ETL tools, data analysis, and data governance. Key discussions included the taxonomy of data scientists, tech stacks and flexibility, Snowflake vs. Data Bricks for ETL work, and the importance of data governance and security features. The event was a success, featuring thought-provoking dialogues and valuable insights.

Our recent HFTC Live! event, "Jet Set your Productivity: Exploring Microsoft Copilot," featured Germán Ospina and Veli Ogun discussing innovative technology and AI integration. Germán facilitated a better understanding of Co-Pilot adoption and its integration within various organizations, while Veli provided a comprehensive overview of Co-Pilot's capabilities and data security. Attendees explored Co-Pilot's impact on productivity and strategies for responsible data governance. This event highlighted Co-Pilot's potential for workplace efficiency and fostered community collaboration in technology innovation.

This HFTC Live event offered a comprehensive discussion on critical compliance issues within the financial sector. Topics included record-keeping violations and recent SEC enforcement initiatives targeting advisors, stressing the need for robust business communications and information security measures. Participants shared insights on BYOD policies and communication platforms, along with concerns regarding third-party app texting and managing personal-professional overlaps. Strategies for texting compliance and archiving were also explored, emphasizing adherence to SEC regulations and comprehensive policy measures. Overall, the event provided valuable insights into navigating compliance challenges in today's financial landscape.

During our HFTC Live! event on January 18th, Scott Ehrlich expertly led a comprehensive exploration into Shadow IT, unraveling the complexities of unauthorized tech usage. The engaging discussion delved into the benefits of agility and innovation while spotlighting risks such as security vulnerabilities, data inconsistencies, and compliance issues. Real-world examples, including challenges during DR tests and legacy database complications, illuminated the intricacies of the subject. Our panelists—Paul Poteat (Founder, Nebulas.co ), David Wachs, and Jonathan Levine offered insights, presenting a wealth of strategies and tools to navigate the intricate landscape of shadow IT. A special thank you to Nebulas.co for sponsoring this event.

Beers & Bytes at Beer Authority marked a stellar start to 2024 with new and seasoned members delving into professional backgrounds and exploring recent cyber events that were previously touched upon in our email distribution group. Laughter filled the room as discussions seamlessly balanced between tech matters and light-hearted banter. A warm welcome to our new members who witnessed firsthand the knowledge-sharing culture and camaraderie that defines HFTC.

Our "HFTC Live! Retrospective and Readiness Roundtable" on December 21st, hosted by Nick Mancini, brought together industry leaders Dudu Mimran, Israel Bryski, Michael Cafaro and Benjamin Saberin for a deep dive into the world of AI. Despite the fact that the event wasn't originally slated to focus on AI, it proved challenging not to delve into this transformative field when reflecting on technology in 2023. Discussions included the evolving cybersecurity landscape, AI's role in hedge funds, and technological innovations sought by business leaders in 2024. The event ended on a positive note, highlighting the growth of SaaS software and exciting prospects in cybersecurity and technology for the upcoming year.

Participants engaged in the HFTC Live! Zoom event on Service Provider Management with Nebulas's founder, Paul Poteat, and newest partner, Tony Cristiano. The session explored the intricacies of vendor due diligence, delving into the significance of managing vendors and learning about effective execution, efficiency in the process, and real-world examples where due diligence played a pivotal role. Additionally, Nebulas shared insights into their tools and practices for streamlined due diligence, the long-term benefits of routine diligence, and how technological advancements impact the process.

Q4’23 Dinner Conference - November 2, 2023

Hosted by Germán Ospina in a zoom event, his in-depth exploration of incident detection and response offered insightful strategies, providing practical tools to strengthen our security frameworks. His focus on documentation, standardization, and clarity within these frameworks equips us with valuable resources during Security Month.

In the HFTC Live! Event on Security Tools that took place on October 12, 2023, nearly 40 members registered. Led by Eric Madeson, the discussion delved into the vital concept of layered cybersecurity, emphasizing the integration of technology, purpose-built tools, and strategic recovery layers for effective threat prevention and swift response

Beers & Bytes 10/12/23

"Identity Management and Access Controls" event, hosted by Alexander Zhivov, was a highly informative session where participants delved into the essentials of IAAA (Identity, Authentication, Authorization, and Auditing) and explored topics like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On (SSO). Attendees also had the chance to engage in an interactive trivia game with exciting prizes.

On Thursday, September 21st, the HFTC Live! event "Employee Involvement, User Security Awareness" took place on Zoom at 2 PM. The session, hosted by Michael Cingolani, a security analyst at Deerfield Management, offered attendees valuable insights into fostering a security-aware culture and empowering colleagues to become their company's greatest defenders in today's evolving threat landscape.

On August 22nd, we came together for an AI Policy Follow-Up Event, recapping the substantial advancements made at and since our in-person gathering. Our collective efforts during this virtual meeting successfully led to the finalization of the comprehensive AI Policy Template. This template, designed to be adaptable to the specific requirements of each member firm, is now prepared for distribution among HFTC members. This collaborative endeavor marks a significant step toward fostering responsible and impactful AI implementation within our community.

What does it take to be a Great CXO, inspired by HFTC founder Benjamin Saberin, offered an educational platform for emerging and current technology leaders. Moderated by Naresh H. Singh and featuring A. J. Fried, Nicholas Mancini, and Angelo Stornello as panelists, discussions covered personal journeys, lessons from mistakes, and the blend of goal orientation and opportunistic strategies in tech leadership. The event highlighted the evolving leadership landscape, driven by community collaboration and strategic networking, guiding participants toward greatness.

During our recent HFTC Live! webinar roundtable, titled "Cybersecurity War Stories," technology and cybersecurity leaders seized a unique opportunity to openly share their specific experiences and valuable insights, delving into relevant topics such as employee data and IP theft, wire and invoice fraud, SIP compromise, and holding third-party technicians accountable for vulnerabilities in their configurations. By applying the Chatham House Rule, participants were encouraged to engage in open and candid discussions, creating a trusted environment for knowledge exchange while ensuring their anonymity.

Beers & Bytes 7/19/2023

On June 15th, technology enthusiasts and industry experts gathered for a captivating virtual session, featuring esteemed panelists discussing topics such as training Azure Cognitive Service for Vision, Open AI privacy, upcoming competition for OpenAI, and onboarding Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Fabric, as part of the HFTC Live! event series.

Beers & Bytes 6/14/2023

On May 5th, HFTC members gathered for an AVD Reliability Roundtable to discuss the impact of technology outages and strategies for ensuring business continuity. Led by industry experts Veli Ogun, David M. Dinner, and Benjamin Saberin, the conversation explored alternative solutions to minimize the impact on users, including topics like Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, cold spares, warm spares, hot spares, and Amazon Workspaces.

The follow-up Zoom event for the HFTC exclusive "How this CIO Survived a Cybersecurity Disaster" on 4/11 was a great success, with panelists Larry Gagnon, John McDonough, Paul Poteat, and Germán Ospina. Larry emphasized the importance of pre-breach readiness, John highlighted Fortinet's comprehensive cybersecurity capabilities, Paul discussed company policy for defending IT budgets, and Germán's openness in sharing his experiences showcased his leadership and character.

The recent HFTC LIVE virtual event, EIHKAL: EDR I Have Known and Loved, held on March 31st, was a resounding success, bringing together over 35 active participants to share valuable insights and expertise on pressing issues in the alternative investment space. We extend our gratitude to the organizer and host, Eldon Sprickerhoff, eSentire, and the esteemed speakers, Stephen Norman, Germán Ospina, Eric Madeson, Kevin Kennedy, and David Wachs for their contributions and commitment to driving innovation in our HFTC community.