Tech Track 2025: Cybersecurity, Leadership and AI

Yesterday, we hosted Tech Track: Race to the Future at the MK-7 Red Bull Technology Campus. Designed for small and medium-sized business leaders, the sessions covered crucial topics spanning cyber security, user training, AI innovations and leadership principles.

Our industry expert speakers shared fascinating insights and practical solutions. At a time when the landscape’s evolving fast, their knowledge can help drive your business forward and compete successfully.

If you missed the thought-provoking live event, you don’t have to miss out totally. Here are some of the key learnings that your business can take away from Tech Track 2025.

Cybersecurity lessons from historic events and early hackers

Mostyn Thomas, Senior Director of Security at Pax8 EMEA, reflected on past events that can inform the way we move forward with cybersecurity. The notion of learning from history is nothing new. Winston Churchill wisely said, “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” But how can history teach us about such new, cutting-edge technologies?

Take the Mann Gulch Forest fire of 1949 in which 13 firefighters perished. Whilst they’d had structured training in firefighting, they were overcome by this fire. What was needed was resilience, improvisation, teamwork, and communication.

Mostyn Thomas also reflected on Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy. The company culture played a key role in the bank’s demise. Firstly, excessive risk-taking was encouraged and rewarded. Secondly, there was a blind trust in systems and an assumption that the large organisation was bulletproof. Sticking your head in the sand and believing that it won’t happen to you can be fatal for your business.

What can we learn from early hackers? Scammers aren’t a new phenomenon, but the technology is. Curiosity and deep system knowledge were at the core of early hackers. As the technology advanced, so did their methods. They were happy to share their learnings with the wider community of hackers. Their ingenuity and adaptability should be admired and commended. We can use that example to enhance cybersecurity strategies and defences against evolving threats.

Key takeaway: Security isn’t just about tech and tools. It’s about people, culture and being prepared. Everyone, not just IT, should understand their role in protecting the business. And your strategy needs to adapt and evolve as technology does.

The importance of Human Risk Management

Not to throw shade on your employees, they may be your greatest asset but they are your weakest link. Johanna Forsen from usecure shared how a whopping 90% of security breaches are down to human error. That doesn’t mean you should do without them. Instead, adopt Human Risk Management (HRM) to turn your people into your first line of defence.

Did you know that cybercrime’s the world’s third largest economy and growing at around 15% per year? It’s a mind-blowing statistic. And last year, 86% of all security breaches involved stolen credentials.

What can be done? Implement Human Risk Management. With personalised security training, your teams can be equipped with the knowledge to resist phishing attacks. Impress upon them the importance of basic security protocols like identity protection and not sharing login details.

Key takeaway: Your people are your biggest vulnerability. With the right support, they can become your greatest asset. HRM is proactive, ongoing and tailored to your business. By investing in both technology and your people, you’ll create the next generation of cybersecurity warriors.

Identity threats and how to stop them

Jack Duff, Sales Engineer at Huntress, opened our eyes to the latest trends in cyberattacks. He gave a live demo of how someone can hijack your account (session token theft) and assume your identity without you realising. It’s a scary, but very real, prospect.

Step forward Huntress Managed ITDR which stops identity-based threats in Microsoft 365. Attackers know that identity is their best entry point to your system. It’s their way to compromise your business emails, assume your credentials and undertake malicious app authorisations. Huntress managed ITDR spends every minute of every day monitoring environments, seeing the threats faced by their clients and responding to them.

Key takeaway: Be prepared. Take strategic action to put you ahead of cyber criminals. Update security policies. Implement ITDR. Don’t set and forget but reassess and evolve processes and procedures regularly.

The rise of Copilot and smarter workflows

Microsoft’s Copilot (powered by generative AI) is changing the way businesses operate. Nathan Stokes, Microsoft Programs and TSI manager for Pax8 explained why and how.

The uptake of AI technology’s happening at such a rapid pace. It’s extraordinary. That’s a game-changer for SMBs.

Microsoft’s adding Copilot to every single experience. It’s becoming a core way to use Microsoft services. And it’s not about taking over from humans but assisting them. Copilot works inside the tools you already use – Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook – and helps you write, analyse, summarise and more.

4 main benefits for SMBs:

Save time – Early data shows up to 10 hours saved per month per employee

Improve culture – Up to 20% lower attrition rate

Develop skills – Easier access to new workflows

Increase quality and impact – 40% improvement in the quality of work

Key takeaway: AI isn’t just for the big players. Used right, it gives small businesses a competitive edge. It can boost efficiency, productivity and employee engagement. It’s a win-win.

Building resilience in leaders

Putting the focus firmly on people, Sophie Dowsett-Smith from Pax8 highlighted what it takes to build better leaders in today’s high-pressure environment.

Even though the business world’s changing fast, leadership challenges remain the same. Sophie’s three top tips for leaders are:

Create the right environment – Clear values and shared vision. Values guide behaviour, culture and decisions

Embrace radical responsibility – Replace blame with learning to build trust, ownership and accountability

Encourage curiosity – Lead with a growth mindset. Ask questions, encourage innovation and stay open. Be willing to be wrong.

When it comes to day-to-day management, Sophie advocates adaptability. Tailor your style to the person and adapt to their needs. One size doesn’t fit all. Feedback regularly and in a timely manner. Don’t store it up for appraisal time. Coach don’t command. Be prepared to listen, ask questions and support. Let them find solutions rather than simply following your instructions.

Key takeaway: Strong leadership creates resilient teams. That’s something every business needs in a changing tech landscape.

Priority actions to take now

Thanks to the expert insights shared by our partners, there are actionable steps that you can take right now to protect and develop your business.

Assess your cyber risk – Think like a hacker, adapt and evolve.

Adapt and evolve – Technology moves fast, and you need to keep up.

Train your team – Don’t just buy security tools. Invest in your people.

Explore AI tools – Start with Microsoft Copilot to boost productivity.

Create strong leaders – Build resilience in your teams through strategic leadership.

Overwhelmed by cybersecurity and the risks to your business? We at Mirus are here to help. Chat to one of our expert advisors to find out what you can do to protect your business.