CDW’s involvement in the 2020 census paved the way for their DaaS deployment at the Olympics. Over 700,000 devices were provided by CDW for the census, with the company overseeing device management, recovery, and sanitization throughout the entire lifecycle.
As the primary technology partner for the 2028 Games, CDW faces a significant technological challenge beyond the DaaS deployment. In addition to providing 5G connectivity, the company will deliver various essential technology services for the event. CDW’s Chief Technology Officer, Harris, described the scale of the Games as equivalent to hosting seven Super Bowls daily for 28 days, making it the most technologically advanced Games ever held.
Reimagining AI Implementation
CDW has integrated artificial intelligence across its enterprise, including deploying 10,000 Microsoft Copilot licenses and numerous AI agents. Ben Weiss, CDW’s Vice President of Digital Product, advised IT leaders to move beyond replicating human tasks with AI. He emphasized the importance of rethinking processes to leverage AI’s unique capabilities and operational methods.
Organizations that can effectively harness AI’s distinct strengths will gain a competitive edge in the market.
Preparing for Quantum Computing
Erik Van Woerden, a senior manager at Palo Alto Networks, stressed the importance of organizations preparing for the widespread adoption of quantum computing. While quantum computing is not expected to be widely available in the near future, it is anticipated to become more prevalent in the next five to ten years.
This shift poses a significant risk as quantum computers can potentially bypass common encryption methods. Van Woerden warned that threat actors could leverage quantum decryption to access stolen encrypted data, emphasizing the urgency for IT teams to start adapting to quantum computing capabilities. Implementing firewalls with quantum-resistant cryptography is one proactive solution to mitigate this emerging security threat.
