IBM Think 2020, An Informative Forum For Strategies and Tech for the Evolving Digital World

I was fortunate to attend IBM Think 2020. IBM Think 2020 was more than an informative event, it was a trend setting virtual experience. Think 2020 met the marks of what I desired in a remote event. The topics and speakers were compelling, especially for people with a passion for emerging tech and cybersecurity issues (like myself). Also, I found the interactive dashboard to be user friendly, and the content easily accessible and organized. Overall, a really great experience.

Think 2020 was also the debut of new CEO Dr. Arvind Krishna and I was particularly interested in his vision of the future and that the challenges we will face in the post Covid19 ecosystem. Dr. Krishna set the stage as the keynote for a great conference. I concured with his perspectives on cloud platforms, artificial intelligence and automation technologies shaping future digital business and ensuring resiliency. Dr. Krishna succinctly stated IBM’s four essential goals that he would steer from the IBM helm: 1) continuing to apply and deepen its understanding of business and industry needs, requirements and opportunities, 2) furthering its leadership in developing and delivering good, trustworthy technologies, 3) fostering a more entrepreneurial culture that is easier for customers to work with, and 4) remaining obsessed with listening to clients’ needs, preparing them for an uncertain future and supporting their journeys to hybrid cloud and AI. That is a worthwhile collection of goals for any business, large or small in our digital era.

There is too much to highlight about the conference in a short blog (a good problem), but one of the Think 2020 sessions really caught my special attention, The Quantum Era of Accelerated Discovery. It featured an illuminating lecture by Dario Gil, Director of IBM Research, IBM. As a founding member of the Quantum Security Alliance, I have a personal interest in the topic of quantum computing and I was very excited about what may be on the technology horizon. Dr. Gill elegantly surmised with clarity what may be on that horizon by way of his hands on research and expertise. He noted that computing capabilities will exponentially change in the near future and accelerate discovery in many realms. Quantum computers will be capable of calculating solutions to problems that are simply intractable on our current conventional computing architectures. Dr. Gill provided insights of the various applications of supercomputers of tomorrow and how their interaction with artificial intelligence may impact business (an our way of life)as we know it. As we seek to conquer Covid19, Dr. Gill explained how quantum computing will impact health by facilitating discovery of new vaccines and treatments. 

For those who want to view the session, the link is: https://ibm.biz/BdqKYA

There are also some great IBM Systems' sessions that highlight Quantum (related to Systems) that may fit with your interests. You can find them here: https://ibm.biz/BdqKYe

Covid19 has certainly changed the routines of many who frequent events and conferences for latest in innovations, technologies, and market strategies. This new reality of social distancing has impacted me too. I miss being on the tech event speaking circuit but thankfully, there is a silver lining in tuning in virtually to conferences and events like Think 2020. For example, you are able to pick out the sessions of most personal interest to watch (even if they are happening concurrently), replay those sessions for deeper reflections, and you and do all of it while at your leisure at home.

Dr. Krishna's and Dr. Gil’s presentations are just a couple of many I enjoyed. Looking forward to Think 2021. Hopefully it will be an event I can attend in person. If not, I will make a point of tuning in virtually! 

For those who did not attend and want to view the events, the link to the Systems Think 2020 top sessions can be found here":https://ibm.biz/BdqKY8

As many of you know I write frequently on the topics of data privacy and encryption. Make sure you see the excellent presentation by Jessica Doherty, IBM Z Security OM, IBM and Michael Jordan DE, IBM Z Security, IBM Systems, IBM:

Delivering Data Privacy and Protection with Encryption Everywhere. "Infrastructure and Quantum. Data is the engine of business and must always be protected, but your data is spread across multiple clouds, data centers, countries, and ecosystems. How do you ensure the protection and privacy of your data as it flows through your ecosystem? Join Michael Jordan, IBM Distinguished Engineer, and his guest to hear how IBM Z enables unique capabilities to deliver encryption everywhere for your business."

Here is the link: https://ibm.biz/BdqKYV

Also, if you have not had the opportunity to read my recent IBM Blogs on the topic of data- centric protection and privacy you can do so here:

Part 1: https://ibm.biz/BdqKYJ

Part 2: https://ibm.biz/BdqKYA

Thanks!

Chuck Brooks a globally recognized thought leader and evangelist for Cybersecurity. LinkedIn named Chuck as one of “The Top 5 Tech People to Follow on LinkedIn.” He was named by Thompson Reuters as a “Top 50 Global Influencer in Risk, Compliance,” and by IFSEC as the “#2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer.” He is also a Cybersecurity Expert for “The Network” at the Washington Post, Visiting Editor at Homeland Security Today, an Expert for GovCon, and a Contributor to FORBES. He has also been featured author in technology and cybersecurity blogs by IBM, AT&T, Cylance, Tripwire, and many others. Chuckis also faculty at Georgetown University where he teaches in the Applied Intelligence and Cybersecurity Graduate programs.