IT Nation, a global community of peers, thought leaders, and experts dedicated to elevating the IT ecosystem to new heights, has announced the recipients of the first annual 2024 Torch awards program.

The IT Nation Torch Awards were established this year as part of IT Nation Connect, ConnectWise's flagship event focused on bringing together the MSP community for education, inspiration and networking. The awards recognize and honor individuals, organizations and media professionals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, groundbreaking innovation and unwavering commitment within the IT channel community.

The 2024 IT Nation Torch Award honorees are:

• Partner Excellence Award: Abraham Garver, MSP leader and managing director at FOCUS Investment Banking was recognized for going consistently above and beyond and for leaving an indelible mark on the IT Nation and its broader community. Garver has made significant contributions to the ConnectWise corporate advisory council, M&A peer group and IT Nation Grow. He actively encourages partners to join Evolve peer groups to enhance their business value and has successfully facilitated numerous transactions for members of the IT Nation community. Garver embraces the "Go Giver" philosophy and understands that by creating value for all, we can fulfill our mission of "Wise together, Rise together."
  
  
• Community of the Year Award: CompTIA, a nonprofit trade association that issues certifications for the information technology profession, was recognized as an exceptional community that has demonstrated outstanding collaboration, engagement and support for its members, as well as other communities through knowledge-sharing, networking and professional growth such as their exceptional efforts in fostering a strong partnership in the field of cybersecurity and the Trustmark boot camps.
  
  
• Evolve Partner of the Year Award: IT Nation recognizes exceptional members of its IT Nation Evolve Peer Groups across each region (North America, EMEA and APAC) based upon exceptional demonstrated growth, innovation and commitment to excellence through leadership.
  
  
• North America, First Column Enterprises: First Column Enterprises is a Washington, D.C.-based full-service solutions provider offering computer network consultation and services and was selected for consistently meeting or exceeding best-in-class metrics on a quarter-by-quarter basis all while consistently hitting aggressive growth goals. The First Column team exhibited the "Go Giver" mentality that is core to the IT Nation Evolve experience.
  
  
• EMEA, Fusion Technology Solutions: Fusion Technology Services, an Essex-based IT solution provider specializing in client-focused consultancy and managed support for small to medium-sized businesses, is a true advocate for the Evolve program and exhibits a genuine commitment. Additionally, the company boasts impressive performance, further solidifying their leadership in the industry.
  
  
• APAC, Xyber Solutions: Xyber Solutions is an Australian information technology services, management and cybersecurity solutions provider with a strong focus on the Australian mining industry and was selected for its growth and willingness to help others both in its peer group and the community. The company demonstrated success by significantly improving financial and operational maturity which was a direct result of the company's commitment to executing well.
  
  
• The PitchIT 2024 Champion Award: Senteon, a pioneer of advanced cybersecurity solutions that helps MSPs improve their compliance measures, was recognized for delivering offerings that can be seamlessly built or integrated into the ConnectWise ecosystem, enhancing the efficiency, profitability and security of the IT Nation community. The company was selected for the transformative impact that its innovation has on the channel, embracing guidance from industry experts and maximizing the resources and webinars available within the IT Nation community.
  
  
• Media Excellence Award: Rich Freeman, founder of Channelholic, was recognized for his commitment to delivering accurate, insightful and impactful journalism that has contributed to a deeper understanding of the IT ecosystem. He practices fair coverage and goes a step beyond to connect to a larger storyline that is thoughtful, easy to understand, and unique.

"We created the Torch Awards to spotlight those who are transforming the IT channel community and powering its continued growth," said Gregg Lalle, senior vice president and general manager, IT Nation. "This year's honorees exemplify the dedication and values that drive innovation throughout the channel. It is our honor to present these awards to these trailblazers in our industry."

At this year's IT Nation Connect conference, attendees also had the opportunity to vote on IT Nation Connect Exhibitor Awards in the following categories:

• Best Distributor: Pax8
• People's Choice: Arctic Wolf
• Best in Show: Thread
• Most Impactful Breakout: Moovilla
• Best Emerging Vendor: 1Password

In other news, ConnectWise has announced important innovations in its cybersecurity and data protection offerings. These enhancements equip MSPs with the necessary tools to defend against sophisticated cyberattacks while fostering business growth.

"ConnectWise is committed to delivering industry-leading cybersecurity and data protection solutions that empower MSPs to enhance their services, safeguard their clients, and increase profitability," said Ameer Karim, executive vice president and general manager of cybersecurity, ConnectWise. "The product innovations announced today reflect our ongoing dedication to equipping our partners with unique solutions that simplify daily operations, unify security and data protection technologies, and enhance team productivity."

ConnectWise announced several ground-breaking Innovations at this week's IT Nation Connect event:

General Availability of ConnectWise Security360

Initially introduced at IT Nation Secure in June 2024, ConnectWise took a bold step with the launch of ConnectWise Security360, a next-gen cybersecurity solution focused on attack surface management (ASM) that makes it easy to manage the complex security stack commonly used by MSPs. This tool offers a comprehensive 360-degree view of your security environment and is available to all partners today. ConnectWise Security360 enables MSPs to leverage data from leading security tools, including endpoint detection and response (EDR), networking, email security, vulnerability and patch management, and security awareness training. By normalizing this data, the solution generates an impactful MSP Security Score that highlights risk exposure across the MSP's client base. This score empowers MSPs to prioritize their remediation efforts and demonstrate the effectiveness of their security services.

ConnectWise Security360 is designed to integrate seamlessly with leading security tools, fostering an open ecosystem. It comes standard with integrations into ConnectWise RMM and ConnectWise PSA. It also supports Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Microsoft Defender for Business, Webroot Antivirus, Bitdefender GravityZone Endpoint Detection and Response, Acronis Security + EDR, SentinelOne Singularity Control, SentinelOne Singularity Complete, Infima Security and Proofpoint Email Security.  Additional integrations are expected in the coming months.

Additionally, ConnectWise Security360 incorporates ConnectWise Vulnerability Management to ensure continuous and automated scanning of client environments for threats and vulnerabilities. It also comes with ConnectWise Sidekick for Security. This AI-driven digital assistant helps MSPs easily get status on open tickets, assess security posture for their clients and respond to threats more efficiently.

ConnectWise Security360 is built on the ConnectWise Asio platform, the only modern, scalable and secure cloud-based solution purpose-built for MSPs.

Expanded Coverage for ConnectWise MDR for Microsoft 365

ConnectWise MDR for Microsoft 365, launched in June 2024, addresses a common blind spot for MSPs by monitoring, protecting and remediating threats within Microsoft Office 365 environments. The latest enhancements have expanded the service to include support beyond Microsoft Defender for Office 365, now covering Microsoft Defender for Identity and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. This solution is offered as a standalone service or can be bundled with the award-winning ConnectWise MDR for endpoint protection.

ConnectWise Co-Managed Backup Enhancements

ConnectWise Co-Managed Backup streamlines third-party data protection solutions through the ConnectWise Asio platform. Supported by the company's network operations center (NOC) team, it can reduce technician workload by up to 90%. The latest update enables any partner, including those using ConnectWise Automate and ConnectWise Security solutions, to co-manage backup solutions through the Asio platform. In addition, MSPs can now use DR (disaster recovery) Runbooks within the platform to automate disaster recovery testing, further enhancing client protection.

ConnectWise Backup360 Launch

ConnectWise is now evolving its Backup Monitoring and Management solution, which was initially launched in Fall 2023 as ConnectWise Backup360, enabling MSPs to consolidate and standardize data protection tools from different backup vendors, whether it be endpoint, cloud or SaaS backup, into a unified 360-degree view. This ensures partners can monitor, manage and take action if they detect backup failures. ConnectWise Backup360 supports vendors like Acronis, Axcient, Veeam and ConnectWise SaaS Backup, and with the latest update, Datto and SkyKick Cloud Backup — with many more integrations to come.

In other news, ConnectWise has announced that ConnectWise PSA is now in the Asio Platform. This brings a unified user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to ConnectWise PSA, reducing the time spent moving between solutions and making issue resolution faster and easier. By leveraging shared platform services, ConnectWise PSA now provides increased efficiencies, ultimately decreasing costs for MSPs.

Asio is the only platform purpose-built for MSPs. It has one unified UX, common services and centralized data for all ConnectWise applications with generative AI and robotic process automation (RPA), driving unparalleled productivity and scale. The platform provides a one-stop-shop solution for partners with innovative products like ConnectWise RMM, ConnectWise Security360, ConnectWise Backup360 and, now, ConnectWise PSA. Sidekick, the company's AI solution, provides visibility across all solutions, offers predictive insights, and proactively suggests solutions and autoremediations.

Working in disparate, disconnected systems can significantly impact the efficiency of a business, potentially costing more than 25% of yearly revenue. With ConnectWise PSA in the Asio platform, MSPs can eliminate double data entry and utilize one system to streamline processes and improve overall efficiency. Manual tasks can be automated, reducing business costs and eliminating unnecessary overhead. The modern ConnectWise PSA empowers teams to accomplish more with less, ensuring service level agreements (SLAs) are met and billable time and products are accurately invoiced.

The company's vision is to have PSA, remote monitoring and management, business intelligence, managed detection and response, business continuity and disaster recovery, and more — all unified on a single platform. With RMM and PSA now in the Asio platform, ConnectWise is enabling partners to unlock cross-platform AI capabilities, hyperautomation and insights that are otherwise impossible when patching together disparate point solutions.

"We are excited to introduce PSA in Asio, a game-changing initiative that enhances the partner experience with our PSA solution," said Jake Varghese, executive vice president and general manager of business management, ConnectWise. "By offering a modern PSA experience along with RMM within the Asio platform, we are providing partners with a powerful tool to streamline their operations and drive efficiency. We encourage partners to take advantage of early access to familiarize themselves with the new interface and efficiencies, get their organization ready to make the transition and provide valuable feedback."

ConnectWise remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that empower technology solution providers to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. With ConnectWise RMM and PSA on the Asio platform, ConnectWise is providing partners with a modern, intuitive and efficient experience, revolutionizing the way they manage their businesses.

PSA in Asio is now in preview in North America, EMEA and APAC regions, providing partners with the opportunity to utilize their live PSA data within Asio, ensuring seamless integration and visibility of any changes made during the preview experience.

For ongoing engagement and support related to PSA in Asio, partners can utilize the dedicated PSA in Asio section in the ConnectWise Virtual Community. This platform serves as a hub for partners to connect, share insights, and collaborate on optimizing their experience with PSA in Asio.

In other news,  IT Nation has announced that Senteon was named the winner of the 2024 annual PitchIT Accelerator Program.

Industry experts Tom Lawrence, Joe Pannone and Lori Berry presided over the competition, awarding Senteon the $70,000 grand prize. The runner-up, PC Powersave, showcased their unique approach to computer energy consumption and received $30,000, which will further support the company's commitment to ingenuity and growth.

"I'm proud to share that this year, we welcomed 26 technology companies to the PitchIT class of 2024, and three finalists went through an extensive judging process, demonstrating their talent and innovation on stage at IT Nation Connect today," said Sean Lardo, IT Nation Evangelist. "Senteon showcased the transformative impact that their innovation can have on the channel, embracing guidance from industry experts and maximizing the resources and webinars available within the IT Nation community. We're excited to see what inventive solutions our partners come up with next, and we can't wait to meet the promising MSPs who'll join our PitchIT program in the coming year. Together, we're building a stronger, more secure and more profitable future for our entire MSP community."

Senteon, PC Powersave and Seedpod Cyber participated alongside other trailblazers in the MSP and IT service industry from around the world. Through an interactive 16-week business development and training program, the innovators had the unique opportunity to present their solutions on stage at IT Nation Connect in front of a market-leading audience, while also having access to free booths, co-marketing efforts through MSP-focused webinars, and mentorship from former finalists and ConnectWise's leadership team.

"Senteon revolutionizes the age-old challenge of achieving compliance without disrupting systems and teams," said Zach Kromkowski, founder, Senteon. "With Senteon's cutting-edge solution, bringing your systems up to major compliance standards is as simple as a click of a mouse. Senteon's victory signifies the increasing recognition of the essentiality and significance of endpoint hardening. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the field of hardening, ensuring optimal security for all."

The PitchIT program was first established in 2018 and is an immersive business transformation competition designed for visionaries to present an innovative solution that has the potential to be integrated into the ConnectWise platform, directly within their marketplace. Over the years, nearly 100 companies across countries have participated. This hands-on competition showcases IT Nation's commitment to fostering a forward-thinking ecosystem where startups are encouraged to reach their full business potential.

To learn more about entering the PitchIT Accelerator Program, visit https://www.connectwise.com/theitnation/pitchit