Greetings Robert, Could you please share with us your professional journey and how you came to your current role as Chief Innovator of Monjur?

Thank you for having me. My professional journey has been a combination of law and technology. I started my career as an intellectual property attorney, primarily dealing with software licensing and IT transactions and disputes.  During this time, I noticed inefficiencies in the way we managed legal processes, particularly in customer contracting solutions. This sparked my interest in legal tech. I pursued further studies in AI and machine learning, and eventually transitioned into roles that allowed me to blend my legal expertise with technological innovation. We founded Monjur to redefine legal services.  I am responsible for overseeing our innovation strategy, and today, as Chief Innovator, I work on developing and implementing cutting-edge AI solutions that enhance our legal services.

How has Monjur adopted AI for streamlined case research and analysis, and what impact has it had on your operations?

Monjur has implemented AI in various facets of our legal operations. For case research and analysis, we’ve integrated natural language processing (NLP) models that rapidly sift through vast legal databases to identify relevant case law, statutes, and legal precedents. This has significantly reduced the time our legal professionals spend on research while ensuring that they receive comprehensive and accurate information. The impact has been tremendous, allowing us to provide quicker and more informed legal opinions to our clients. Moreover, AI has improved the accuracy of our legal analyses by flagging critical nuances and trends that might otherwise be overlooked.

Integrating technology for secure document management and transactions is crucial in today’s digital landscape. Can you elaborate on Monjur’s approach to this and any challenges you’ve encountered?

At Monjur, we prioritize secure document management and transactions by leveraging encrypted cloud platforms. Our document management system utilizes multi-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption to protect client data. However, implementing these technologies hasn’t been without challenges. Ensuring compliance with varying data privacy regulations across jurisdictions required us to customize our systems extensively. Additionally, onboarding clients to these new systems involved change management and extensive training to address their concerns regarding security and usability.

Leveraging cloud platforms for remote collaboration and accessibility is increasingly common. How has Monjur implemented these platforms, and what benefits have you observed in terms of team collaboration and accessibility to documents and resources?

Monjur has adopted a multi-cloud approach to ensure seamless remote collaboration and accessibility. We’ve integrated platforms like Microsoft, GuideCX and Filevine to provide our teams with secure access to documents, resources, and collaboration tools from anywhere in the world. These platforms facilitate real-time document sharing, and project management, significantly improving team collaboration. We’ve also implemented granular access controls to ensure data security while maintaining accessibility. The benefits include improved productivity, as our teams can now collaborate efficiently across time zones and locations, and a reduced need for physical office space, resulting in cost savings.

In what ways is Monjur preparing for the future and further technological advancements? Can you share any upcoming projects or initiatives in this regard?

At Monjur, we’re constantly exploring emerging technologies to stay ahead. We continue to training our Lawbie document analyzer and are moving toward our goal of being able to provide real-time updates to our clients legal documents.  

As the Chief Innovator, what personal strategies do you employ to stay abreast of the latest technological trends and advancements in your field?

To stay current, I dedicate time each week to reading industry reports, academic papers, and blogs focused on AI, machine learning, and legal tech. I also attend webinars, conferences, and roundtable discussions with fellow innovators and ch leaders. Being part of several professional networks, provides me with valuable insights into emerging trends. Additionally, I engage in continuous learning through online courses and certifications in emerging technologies. Lastly, I maintain an open dialogue with our  team and regularly brainstorm with them to uncover new ideas and innovations.

What advice would you give to our readers who are looking to integrate similar technological solutions into their organizations?

My advice would be to start by identifying your organization’s pain points and evaluating how technology can address them. Engage your teams early in the process to ensure their buy-in and gather their insights. When selecting technology solutions, prioritize scalability and interoperability to future-proof your investments. Start small with pilot projects, measure their impact, and scale up based on results. It’s also crucial to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within your organization. Finally, don’t overlook the importance of data security and compliance, and ensure that your solutions align with industry standards and regulations.

With your experience in innovation and technology, what are some key factors organizations should consider when embarking on digital transformation journeys?

Embarking on a digital transformation journey requires a clear strategy and strong leadership. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Vision and Objectives: Clearly define your vision and set measurable objectives that align with your overall business goals.
2. Change Management: Prepare for organizational change by fostering a culture that embraces innovation and training teams to adapt to new technologies.
3. Stakeholder Engagement: Involve all stakeholders, including clients, to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.
4. Technology Selection: Choose technologies that offer scalability, interoperability, and align with your specific business requirements.
5. Security and Compliance: Implement robust security measures and ensure compliance with relevant data protection laws.
6. Continuous Improvement: Treat digital transformation as an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. Regularly assess the impact of implemented solutions and refine your strategy accordingly.

By considering these factors, organizations can navigate the complexities of digital transformation more effectively and reap the full benefits of their technological investments.

Robert Scott

Chief Innovator at Monjur

Robert Scott is Chief Innovator at Monjur.  He provides a cloud-enabled, AI-powered legal services platform allowing law firms to offer long-term recurring revenue services and unlock the potential of their legal templates and other firm IP. redefines legal services in managed services and cloud law. Recognized as Technology Lawyer of the Year, he has led strategic IT matters for major corporations,  in cloud transactions, data privacy, and cybersecurity. He has an AV Rating from Martindale Hubbell, is licensed in Texas, and actively contributes through the MSP Zone podcast and industry conferences. The Monjur platform was recently voted Best New Solution by ChannelPro SMB Forum. As a trusted advisor, Robert navigates the evolving technology law landscape, delivering insights and expertise.

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The acceleration in the adoption of cloud technology has revolutionised the business landscape, and in doing so, significantly altered the cybersecurity ecosystem. The vast potential of cloud technology, such as its scalability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, has not gone unnoticed by nefarious entities seeking opportunities for exploitation. As businesses across ASEAN continue their transition to the cloud, they are increasingly confronted with escalating incidents of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider threats.

Therefore, it’s vital for organisations to devise and implement a robust cloud-specific incident response plan. Such a plan can help minimise the impact of security incidents, accelerate recovery time, and ensure optimal data protection in this rapidly evolving digital space.

Cloud Incident Response (IR) today needs to grapple with a radically different set of challenges, including data volume, accessibility, and the speed at which threats can multiply within cloud architectures. The interplay of various components, such as virtualization, storage, workloads, and cloud management software, intensifies the complexity of securing cloud environments.

That being said, Cloud IR cannot be done in isolation of the company’s overall incident response activities and business continuity plans. When possible, cloud security tools should use the same SOC, SOAR, and communication tools currently being used to secure other company elements. Using the same infrastructure ensures that suspicious and threatening cloud activities receive an immediate and appropriate response.

Creating an effective response plan involves understanding and managing the unique cloud platforms, being fully aware of data storage and access, and adeptly handling the dynamic nature of the cloud. Specifically:

Managing the Cloud Platform: The administrative console, the control centre of each cloud platform, facilitates the creation of new identities, service deployment, updates, and configurations impacting all cloud-hosted assets. This becomes an attractive target for threat actors, considering it offers direct access to the cloud infrastructure and user identities.

Understanding Data in the Cloud: The cloud hosts data, apps, and components on external servers, making it crucial to maintain correct configurations and timely updates. This is vital not just to prevent external threats, but also to manage internal vulnerabilities, such as misconfigurations, given the inherent complexity and size of cloud networks.

Handling a Dynamic Cloud: The cloud is a dynamic space requiring security teams to remain agile and maintain visibility across all services and apps. A lack of familiarity with the environment can lead to an overwhelming volume of data, potentially slowing down threat-hunting, triage, and incident investigation processes.

Cloud computing presents new security challenges requiring a more robust and nuanced incident response plan, focused on cloud-specific risks. This includes identifying, analysing, and responding to security incidents within a cloud environment to maintain data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Such a plan can shield businesses from financial loss, protect their reputation, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Establishing a well-defined, routinely tested, and updated plan can effectively reduce the impact of security incidents and foster swift recovery after an attack. It should comprise procedures for responding to various incidents, like data breaches, DDoS attacks, and malware infections, including steps for incident containment, investigation, and recovery using tools that are already being deployed by the company.

Mastering cloud IR begins with a thorough risk assessment, identifying potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risks to the cloud environment. Security teams must thoroughly understand their cloud infrastructure to effectively defend it, considering factors like data sensitivity, legal requirements, access controls, encryption, network security, and third-party risks.

Data and tool availability is a key factor in accelerating a security team’s progress during an active security event. Deploying real-time monitoring of cloud resources, network traffic analysis, user activity tracking, intrusion detection systems, and automated alerts can ensure swift incident identification and response.

Cloud IR demands efficiency and effective communication. Having pre-set processes and playbooks, defining roles and responsibilities, and maintaining clear communication between team members are essential elements of a Cloud IR strategy. Regular drills and simulations to test the IR plan and improve upon it are vital for optimal incident response.

In conclusion, as businesses in the ASEAN region increasingly embrace cloud technologies, the need for a well-defined cloud IR plan has never been more crucial. By efficiently identifying signs of cloud-based threats, mitigating breaches, and limiting or eliminating damage, organisations can secure their cloud infrastructures, enhance their response processes, and reduce time to resolution.

Visit AITechPark for cutting-edge Tech Trends around AI, ML, Cybersecurity, along with AITech News, and timely updates from industry professionals!

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Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your role as the manager of Intelligent CloudCare.

Ozzie – As far back as I can remember I’ve been surrounded by computers and technology. It all started with my aunt’s Commodore 64 PC when I was in my youth. I found it fascinating. There’s a quote from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, “I asked for a car, I got a computer.” My situation is relatable. When I became old enough to drive all I wanted was a car. Instead, I received a new IBM PC.

I started my professional career in 2001, as a bench tech for a local IT solutions company. Since then, I’ve played varying roles, across a multitude of teams, ranging from higher education and medical billing to manufacturing and industrial design. Needless to say, it’s been quite a journey! These experiences showed me just how much technology is interwoven with so many aspects of our daily lives.

My current role, as the Sr. IT Manager of Intelligent CloudCare, is by far my favorite. I’ve been given the opportunity to develop a team and oversee the day-to-day operations, as well as grow the Intelligent CloudCare brand. My goal is to empower and encourage. My role is to foster individual progress and align team evolution with our overall organizational strategy- not an easy thing to pull off. However, I like to think I’ve won a bit of lottery. My team is truly second to none. Each member has so much passion, and brings an exceeding amount of knowledge, as well as personal style, to every task they undertake. They almost make it too easy for me.

Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”, and I am fortunate enough to see that in action every day.

What inspired you to pursue a career in AI and cloud technology, and how did you first get started in the industry?

Dave – I’ve been working with technology since I was a little kid, and after college I started blogging for a collection of websites focused on the IT channel. As a blogger, I traveled to trade shows that focused on cloud technology, interviewing key channel players while also reviewing products and hosted platforms unique for managed service providers. In 2010 cloud was still nascent and the hype was everywhere, with various cloud-based suites and tools popping in and out of existence. 13 years later, things have matured, and now artificial intelligence seems like a natural extension of the last decade’s worth of advancements. 

Can you tell us more about Intelligent CloudCare and its mission and vision?

Dave – Intelligent CloudCare was spun off from Intelligent Production Solutions as we sought to bring the same level of care and detail from our internal work at IPS to the IT space as a Managed Service Provider. Our mission is to provide exceptional IT support, protection, and education for small to mid-sized companies worldwide.

In your opinion, what are the most exciting recent developments in AI and cloud technology, and how do you see these innovations impacting businesses and consumers in the near future?

Dave – In the cloud space, the tools for managed service providers are getting increasingly more sophisticated and robust. Remote monitoring and management tools continue to expand their feature list, enabling us to do more for an end-user with less interaction or intervention. Essentially, each year, the cloud becomes more central to the environment we work in, and a web browser becomes a portal to all things. When AI becomes incorporate into these environments, I expect natural-language alerts and recommendations when issues crop up, instead of reviewing a list of logs or alerts that still leave us researching a fix. In a word: streamlining. 

The overall impact on business will be the same thing – an increased efficiency that will become in-demand by MSPs so they can compete to provide a higher quality of service. 

As a manager, what are some of the biggest challenges you face when it comes to developing and implementing new AI and cloud-based solutions for your clients?

Ozzie – AI and cloud-based solutions is the future. One of the biggest challenges I face is determining when it is necessary to implement one as a solution. I need to believe it is the best solution because I need my client to believe in it as well. Cloud solutions have been around long enough where businesses are starting to feel more comfortable scaling out their infrastructure to the cloud. AI solutions are far more situational. While AI can be useful, it’s still unreliable in the fact that, well, it can’t distinguish fact entirely. 

Dave – I think managing expectations around AI is the biggest thing right now. Depending on what you use it for, it can produce bad results or simply non-factual information, especially when we’re looking at products like ChatGPT. When it comes to AI generated art, there becomes a question of copyright based on what images it was trained on. I think the ‘killer app’ for AI is natural language search or interaction. 

We’ve yet to see AI implemented in the MSP space as a tool we can use for our clients but it won’t be long until there are integrations for many existing products. Whether or not the AI component is a useful or just a neat gimmick really remains to be seen. 

How do you ensure that your AI and cloud technology is secure and protects sensitive data from cyber threats and other security risks?

Dave – For our IT services clients, we use a variety of encryption-based tools and secure backup technologies that keep data safe in the cloud. Likewise, Microsoft’s Office 365 suite has also proved to be robust and secure. Our largest concern is less about data in the cloud and more about local data on-site that is *not* backed up to the cloud. Data lurking locally that is not controlled or properly protected is the real target for things like ransomware and data exfiltrating malware.

What advice would you give to businesses looking to adopt AI and cloud technology in their operations, but are unsure about where to start or how to ensure a successful implementation?

Dave – Go cloud first, understanding your objectives and needs, then you can start to look at where AI might fit into that puzzle. There’s nothing I’ve seen that is ‘off-the-shelf’ that has AI baked in and is professionally ready to go. Sure, some products may boast AI integration, but it’s still very much an open beta for the world. 

As AI and cloud technology continue to evolve and become more advanced, how do you see these developments impacting the job market and the skills required for success in the industry?

Dave – Perhaps in the far-off future we’ll be looking for folks with machine learning skills who can build out custom AI platforms or develop AI models that match the needs of our clients. I don’t see AI supplanting the traditional needs for a break-fix IT technician or human interaction, I still see it as augmentation for existing IT support. 

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in AI and cloud technology, and what resources do you rely on for ongoing learning and development?

Dave – I’m always reading the latest blogs that cover innovations or new discoveries. Hack-a-Day is as big favorite, and I have a collection of other geek-news RSS feeds. Collecting the information on what’s happening on the bleeding edge helps us anticipate what will be coming down to the end-user (or MSP) in the near future and helps us serve our IT clients better.

Looking ahead to the next 5-10 years, what are your predictions for the future of AI and cloud technology, and how do you see these technologies shaping our world and our daily lives?

Dave – I think interacting with computers using natural language will become a default user interface before long, quickly approaching something like the ship’s computer in Star Trek. As the cloud becomes more advanced and interwoven, AI technologies will help navigate those systems for the standard end user.

Osmond Lane,

Senior Technology Manager at Intelligent CloudCare

Osmond Lane, Senior Technology Manager at Intelligent CloudCare, has a more than 20-year career in technology. Prior to joining Intelligent CloudCare, he worked in a wide array of industries, including at Harvard Business School and Wayfair. Intelligent CloudCare is a Managed Service Provider that helps companies improve their cybersecurity hygiene, protect against ransomware attacks, and manage their networks and infrastructure.

Dave Courbanou

Manager at Intelligent CloudCare

Dave Courbanou is one of the senior members of Intelligent CloudCare, and leads the CloudCare University educational portal as a content creator, producing security awareness training for corporations or individuals. Intelligent CloudCare is a Managed Service Provider, helping companies improve their cybersecurity hygiene, protect against ransomware attacks, and manage their networks and infrastructure.

The post AITech Park Interview with Osmond & Dave at Intelligent CloudCare first appeared on AI-Tech Park.