Attending VeeamON 2024 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale was an exhilarating experience. As a Veeam Vanguard, I had the privilege of being part of the premier annual event for data protection, cyber resilience, and IT security. Here’s a personal recap of the highlights from the event.
Key Highlights and Announcements
Keynote Speakers and Sessions
The speaker lineup this year was impressive, and I was particularly excited to hear from:
Anthony Spiteri, Regional CTO for APJ at Veeam. Anthony focuses on Veeam’s Cloud and Service Provider technologies and partners, along with automation, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and modern application platforms. He delivered an insightful session on the integration of Co-Pilot and Veeam, highlighting advancements in automated data management and AI-driven security enhancements. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn
Rick Vanover, Vice President of Product Strategy at Veeam. Rick is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of Veeam’s products and solutions. He presented on the new Veeam 13 running on Linux, emphasizing the increased flexibility and performance improvements that come with using Linux-based systems for data protection. Connect with Rick on LinkedIn
Tim Smith, Technologist at Veeam. Tim specializes in Microsoft 365 protection and has been instrumental in advancing Veeam’s solutions in this area. His session covered the latest features in M365 protection on Veeam version 8, offering practical strategies for enhancing security and streamlining recovery processes. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn
Emily Tellez, Senior Technologist at Veeam. Emily is known for her expertise in orchestrated disaster recovery. She led multiple in-depth sessions on Veeam Recovery Orchestrator, demonstrating the tool’s capabilities in minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity. Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
Jorge de la Cruz, Senior Systems Engineer at Veeam. Jorge specializes in Veeam One, focusing on monitoring and reporting for data protection environments. His sessions showcased the importance of visibility and proactive management in maintaining data integrity. Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn
Major Announcements
The event was packed with exciting announcements:
- Veeam Vault: A fully managed cloud storage solution on Azure that promises secure and predictable data protection.
- Lenovo TruScale Backup with Veeam: A scalable backup-as-a-service offering with robust data protection and ransomware recovery features.
- Veeam Data Cloud: This new platform aims to provide resilient data protection and recovery for multi-cloud environments.
- Overhaul of the Linux Hardened Repository: With significant contributions from Hannes Kasparick, this feature enhances the security and efficiency of Linux-based data protection repositories, making them more resilient against cyber threats.
Interactive and Competitive Events
One of the most thrilling parts of VeeamON 2024 was the LabWarz event. Watching experts from around the world test their skills in a Veeam-driven obstacle course was electrifying. The competition offered a total of $10,000 in prizes, and the custom Veeam Kicks sneakers for the top performers were a huge hit.
Educational Opportunities
The 40+ breakout sessions were a treasure trove of knowledge. I delved into topics ranging from ransomware threats to data freedom and cyber resilience. Each session provided valuable insights and practical strategies that I can implement in my own work.
Certification Programs
A highlight for many attendees, including myself, was the opportunity to earn Veeam Certified Engineer (VMCE) credentials on-site. I participated in the exam prep session and successfully obtained my VMCE certification during the event. Additionally, Veeam announced that a new Veeam Certified Architect (VMCA) class would be released in July of this year, providing further opportunities for advanced certification and learning.
Networking, Vendor Events, and Expo
The solutions expo was a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers, industry leaders, and technology partners. I particularly enjoyed networking with representatives from top sponsors like ExaGrid, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Lenovo, and Microsoft. There were also plenty of vendor events before and after hours, providing ample networking opportunities in a more relaxed setting. These events were a great way to forge connections and discuss industry trends in a casual atmosphere.
Unforgettable Closing Celebration
The closing celebration was an unforgettable experience. The night was filled with an array of great food, offering a variety of cuisines that catered to all tastes. There was a live band dressed in LED outfits, providing an energetic and visually stunning performance. Two DJs, perched on stilts, kept the energy high with live mixing that had everyone dancing. The party was themed around the concept of left brain, right brain, blending creative and analytical elements beautifully.
Artists were on-site creating caricatures of participants, adding a fun and personalized touch to the event. People danced and partied the night away, enjoying the perfect end to an intensive and informative event.
Looking Ahead
Veeam continues to innovate and lead in the field of data protection and cyber resilience. The convergence of data protection, cyber resilience, and artificial intelligence showcased at this year’s event highlighted the critical importance of staying ahead in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
For more details on VeeamON 2024 and to access on-demand content from the event, visit the official VeeamON website.
