Navigating the threat landscape with Pulseway

How to get the right skills and technology to stay competitive and secure

Voices

Edgar Zacharjev, Pulseway

In association with Pulseway

Edgar Zacharjev is general manager and SVP with remote monitoring and management platform Pulseway. He talks to TechCentral.ie about the current cyber security landscape.

What are the main challenges SMEs and MMEs are facing today, particularly as technology is moving so fast and new skills are required to effectively manage it?

Today, nearly every business – whether it’s a dental clinic, a fitness centre, or a logistics firm – is deeply dependent on technology for core operations. From managing appointments and processing payments to securing sensitive data and maintaining compliance with industry regulations, tech is now an essential pillar, not just a support function.

This shift brings immense opportunity but also significant challenges. One of the most pressing is the skills gap. Many SMEs and MMEs struggle to find and retain talent with the technical expertise needed to keep up with evolving cyber security threats, cloud infrastructure, automation platforms, and compliance frameworks.

Cyber security, in particular, is no longer a concern just for large enterprises. According to Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report, over 50% of breaches now target small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses often lack dedicated IT security staff, making them easier targets for attackers.

Compounding this is the growing complexity of compliance regulations across sectors – GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and others – which add another layer of risk and responsibility.

That’s where platforms like Pulseway come in. We simplify the management of IT infrastructure by automating monitoring, compliance protocols, and security alerts – enabling businesses to stay secure and compliant without needing to be domain experts. Still, the fundamental challenge remains: staying ahead of the curve and choosing the right partners and technologies that evolve with the market.

We’re seeing AI infiltrating different areas of a business, from automation to data analysis. What’s your advice to SMEs who are beginning their AI journey?

While it’s tempting to jump on the AI bandwagon, SMEs and MMEs need to approach it strategically. AI is not a silver bullet; it only delivers value when it’s aligned with real business needs and integrated into existing workflows.

My advice is two-fold: First, focus on use cases that deliver measurable outcomes – whether that’s automating repetitive tasks, predicting customer needs, or improving incident resolution time. Second, prioritise data governance. Understand how your data is being used, where it’s stored, and whether it’s being shared or retained in a compliant way.

At Pulseway, we faced these same considerations when launching our AI Automation Generator and PSA Assistant. We ensured that the tools deliver real operational value – helping IT teams resolve issues faster, reduce manual input, and make smarter decisions – while also maintaining strict controls around data access, storage, and compliance.

I would say treat AI as a strategic enabler, not just a buzzword. Be intentional with implementation, and stay mindful of privacy and security risks – especially with regulations tightening globally.

At this stage, where do you see AI making the most impact in an organisation?

Two key areas: operational efficiency and data-driven decision making.

AI can dramatically improve how fast and effectively tasks are completed – from automated ticketing and system monitoring to intelligent alerting and response. In our experience, businesses that embrace AI in these areas see faster turnaround times, fewer manual errors, and better use of internal resources.
The second area is insight generation. AI can analyse vast amounts of operational data to uncover patterns, predict failures, and recommend optimisations. For IT teams, this translates to proactive maintenance, reduced downtime, and more informed strategic planning.

Together, these impact areas don’t just improve how a business operates – they can become competitive differentiators in fast-moving markets.

The cyber security threat landscape is changing daily. How can SMEs and MMEs approach this area with confidence?

Attacks are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and more targeted. In fact, Accenture’s Cybercrime Study for 2025 said 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, and only 14% are prepared to defend themselves.

SMEs must adopt a multi-layered security approach, such as partnering with vendors who provide world-class, integrated solutions that are updated in real-time based on evolving threat intelligence; implementing employee training and awareness programs, since human error remains a top cause of breaches; and having robust backup and disaster recovery strategies in place, ensuring business continuity even in worst-case scenarios.

At Pulseway, our mission is to make enterprise-grade security and monitoring accessible to businesses of all sizes. By leveraging platforms that offer automation, real-time alerts, and compliance support out of the box, SMEs can shift from a reactive to a proactive security posture – without needing a full in-house security team.

Ultimately, confidence in cyber security starts with the right mindset: assume you’re a target and plan accordingly. Preparedness is power.

We know there’s a skills shortage in the IT sector. How can SMEs and MMEs still thrive and innovate in this landscape?

Finding and retaining skilled IT professionals is a challenge, but that doesn’t mean businesses have to fall behind. The best way to bridge the gap is through smarter technology and automation – allowing small teams, including one-person IT departments, to operate at enterprise-level efficiency without needing a massive workforce.

For example, IT teams waste a lot of time on routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and ticket management. When it comes to remote monitoring and management solutions, even the smallest IT team can automate IT maintenance, and proactively fix problems before they disrupt operations.

Another way SMEs can stay competitive is by prioritising an IT strategy based on native and powerful integrations. What I mean is that if a small company purchases IT solutions for different problems but they don’t integrate, it will create a massive waste of money and time. A good IT stack needs to be integrated and span every need, from endpoint management to documentation, antivirus and endpoint detection and response, backup, and so on. Without integrations, your IT can be massively inefficient.

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