Espria - Experts & Thought Leaders

Digital workplace solutions and managed services pioneer Espria returns in December with another Optimise IT exhibition, pioneering the discussion on how IT solutions can best work together to provide the ultimate support for businesses and end-user experience.  Post-COVID, Espria hosted a series of Optimise IT webinar discussions, covering themes such as business peace of mind, business readiness and AI integrations for workplace teams. These discussions have featured key spokespeople from some of their pioneering IT solutions partners and provided industry pioneers with a platform to network directly with key decision-makers who are looking for increasingly efficient ways to deliver their IT strategy. Event feature representatives This year’s in-person event will feature representatives from premier vendor partners Gamma, Microsoft (hardware and software), Sophos and Omada by TP-Link, with more vendors to be confirmed. Marketing and Business Strategist, Bryony Thomas, will be giving a keynote speech during the lunch, sharing lessons in preparation, prioritisation and attention to detail and how missing these can be catastrophic. The event will be held from 9 am to 2 pm on 3rd December at the Down Hall Hotel, Matching Lane, Hatfield Heath, Bishop’s Stortford. Attendance is free but subject to prior registration on the Espria website. Cybersecurity alliance partnerships Stephen Cook, Sales Director at Espria, commented, “Turning to 2026, cybersecurity has entered a transformative phase, with the cyberthreat landscape accelerating in complexity and scale. Businesses that adopt intelligent monitoring and integrated, adaptive defence strategies will be best positioned to navigate 2026 with confidence.” “Similarly, customer trust is entirely defined by uncompromising data security in today’s environment. Where AI has been rapidly adopted into operations, it has simultaneously amplified the quantity and quality of cyberattacks, creating this paradox for security." "Espria has always prioritised our cybersecurity alliance partnerships as a critical solution for today’s security landscape, especially with the proliferation of AI-boosted attacks, which is why bringing experts such as Micrsoft and Sophos to the table is a key part of building a lasting strategy for SMEs from our previous Optimise events.” Commitment to cyber hygiene and defence practices Cook added: “Peace of mind with data security has always been a part of this and requires a continuous commitment to cyber hygiene and defence practices from experts and clients alike. It’s not just about the most high-technology solutions, but the ones that work best within businesses and align with existing operations seamlessly." "Our mission is to lead the conversation for enterprises of all sizes to navigate their modern technology needs, and that ensures any technology introduced, particularly AI tools, provides a strategic boost without hindering operations or opening up wider attack surfaces."  Comprehensive security strategies Cook concludes, “Educating our customer businesses who may be neglecting their endpoint security is an essential way to show security support. We’ve seen that customers, particularly smaller businesses with limited cyber skills or expert access, need that guidance when it comes to network security." "Thankfully, we can provide those skills and in this instance the forum for expert minds to collaborate, providing those all-comprehensive security strategies needed to tackle the cyber threats of today and tomorrow.”

Espria, a major UK managed services provider, announced it will be hosting "SOC vs The Clock," a high-intensity, immersive simulation event in partnership with Sophos. This experience is designed to provide IT and finance/operational leaders with a first-hand experience of the speed, impact and financial ramifications of a cybersecurity breach. "SOC vs The Clock" is a first-of-its-kind event that brings together the IT and finance/data functions to tackle a simulated cyber-attack, providing a unique opportunity to see the impact and costs unfold in real-time. Technical and financial perspective Participants will be split into teams to collaborate and approach problems from both a technical and financial perspective, to put their skills and knowledge of cyber defenses to the test. The event will be held on 7th October at Churchill War Rooms. “The real cost of a cyberattack and its complexity are a whole business concern, rather than just the exclusive responsibility for the IT department. There is a real need to protect the business as a whole, rather than just the data held,” commented Stephen Cook, Head of Sales at Espria. "We wanted to share an experience that moves beyond passive theoretical presentations and puts leaders in the hot seat. In a cyberattack, every second counts, and delays and indecision can cost companies dearly. Unless you're in the room when it’s happening, it's impossible to understand the pressure of protecting your business during a live cyberattack." Need for unified security strategy “By having IT and operational teams work in tandem, against the clock, we are aiming to impart a much deeper appreciation for the critical need for a unified security strategy. This event is about empowering organisations to make faster, more informed decisions to save their businesses." Cook concludes, “It’s time for business leaders to ask themselves the tough questions. Are you tested and ready for phishing attacks? Do you have the right protocols in place, are you actively scanning for vulnerabilities, and what is your MDR strategy?” “We believe this event is unmissable for IT and finance leaders, who must lead the charge together to build a more resilient, collaborative security posture for their business.”

Persistent cyber threats, rapidly changing technology, and the growing array of regulations have heightened the need for alignment between cybersecurity and compliance management. In its annual Digital Defence Report, Microsoft has sounded the alarm on the escalating number of cyberattacks with a 2.75-fold increase in ransomware attacks year-on-year and tech scams rising by 400% since 2022. Level of sophistication “In the world of business, you’ll inevitably hear about the many ways to beef up your cybersecurity to secure your boundaries and data." "The higher level of sophistication in today's cyber-attacks, means there is even more expectation on a governance framework to be able to counter them,” said Richard Puckey, Head of Compliance at Espria. Developing agile cybersecurity Puckey added: “Pioneers within these sectors are now at a crossroads; focusing on developing agile cybersecurity or strengthening their compliance framework. However, this perceived dilemma could actually be an opportunity to move away from compartmentalising the two strategies and merge both into a cohesive system where each supports the other." "Blanket compliance without shaping to meet the specific requirements of the organisation diminishes its value. Governance frameworks must be modular to accommodate for different proprietary technologies and rising threats. An approach to this effect will provide a well-rounded system whereby compliance becomes part and parcel of the overall security strategy.” Advanced technologies Puckey adds that “regularly reviewing and enhancing internal governance frameworks can provide an invaluable opportunity to identify unknown vulnerabilities and refine policies." “As organisations continue to embrace advanced technologies and integrate digital tools, they open a wider, dynamic regulatory landscape that expands the avenues threat actors are able use to compromise the corporate network. These gaps can be overlooked in traditional security setups, leaving holes within your framework." Immediate concerns Puckey added: “During compliance reviews, existing processes are evaluated to see whether they are valid or as effective as they could be. This can give businesses the opportunity to improve these areas, smoothing out inefficiencies and resolving minor issues that had gone unnoticed or were being managed with workarounds." “Would these issues be identified without going through the certification process? Possibly, but it’s likely that they would have remained low priority in the face of more immediate concerns and potentially unravel into larger issues down the line.” Regulatory compliance and cybersecurity A dual focus on compliance and cybersecurity shows a clear duty to the safety of client data These benefits aren’t just internal - a dual focus on regulatory compliance and cybersecurity can demonstrate a clear commitment to the safety of customer data and help to attract new business leads. “One question that often arises is whether the time and money spent on obtaining certifications is worthwhile or just an ‘investment in paper.’ But all good relationships are built on trust and customers are increasingly looking for proof of strong security and compliance to ensure their data is safe,” said Puckey. Cyber security strategy Puckey added: “An effective cyber security strategy can act as the frontline defence against data breaches, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential legal consequences. Coupled with regular risk assessments and maintaining consistent audit trails, organisations can signal their commitment to protect customer data and demonstrate their trustworthiness to the clients and stakeholders.” While mastering this process is essential, it can be complex, but Managed Service Providers (MSPs) such as Espria, emerge as an indispensable partner in the modern business landscape. Long-term strategic goals Puckey added: “Navigating diverse regulations and complex cyber environments demands specialised knowledge and if misinterpreted, can lead to hefty penalties." "MSP’s offer invaluable expertise to help businesses implement offerings tailored to the specific industry you function in, and create a secure, compliant work environment. This cost-effective solution provides expertise and dedicated tools that support long-term strategic goals without the need for major capital investment.” Broader security strategy Puckey concluded, “New cyber security threats are introduced every day and a single breach can damage your company’s reputation. When they are planned and executed correctly, compliance standards can be an invaluable tool when paired with a broader security strategy."  "This alignment allows companies to stay agile in the face of evolving threats while demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding customer data.”