Inside IGEL Now & Next 2025: The Future of Endpoint Security Starts Here
Innovation met urgency in Miami as IGEL hosted Now & Next 2025 at the Fontainebleau from March 24 to 27. The event united cybersecurity, healthcare, and tech leaders to reimagine secure digital workspaces in an era where zero trust and cloud-native infrastructure are no longer optional—they’re essential.
Throughout the four-day event, IGEL’s vision for endpoint security and preventative architecture took center stage. High-level keynotes and hands-on sessions explored zero trust, secure browsing, and endpoint resilience, with real-world case studies highlighting the rising stakes in enterprise security.
“This isn’t just a tech conference—it’s a global platform for the future of work,” said Carl Gersh, EVP of Global Marketing at IGEL, in an exclusive interview with South Florida Digest. “Now & Next is where strategy meets innovation, and we challenge the status quo.”
Gersh emphasized IGEL’s shift toward 100% software innovation, focused on building a secure, manageable, cloud-first endpoint OS that eliminates endpoints as attack vectors.
The Now
The opening keynote, “The Now,” tackled the present challenges in endpoint security, workplace architecture, and identity-first access. As hybrid work becomes the norm, experts urged organizations to move from legacy systems to cloud-first, AI-driven, zero-trust architectures.
Redefining the Edge – Jed Ayres, CEO, IGEL
IGEL CEO Jed Ayres set the tone by redefining the edge of digital workspaces. He stressed that data no longer resides in one place, and hybrid workforces demand flexibility without compromising security. He called for an industry shift from legacy OS models to lightweight, cloud-optimized platforms, highlighting IGEL’s partnerships with Microsoft, HP, Citrix, and LG as key to building a security-first ecosystem.
“Endpoints are no longer just devices—they’re the first line of defense, and securing them is where it all begins,” Ayres said.
A Framework for the Future of Work – Dion Hinchcliffe, VP & Principal Analyst, Constellation Research
Dion Hinchcliffe introduced a four-layer framework for digital work: Workplace Engineering, Operations, Governance, and Enablement. He emphasized decoupling endpoint computing from physical hardware to enable secure, flexible access at scale.
“It’s no longer about a single device or app—it’s about an entire platform working in harmony with policy, automation, and user experience,” he said.
Security That Anticipates Change – Jeff Pollard, VP & Principal Analyst, Forrester Research
Jeff Pollard warned that cybersecurity must move from reactive to proactive strategies. He outlined Forrester’s six critical security priorities, including software supply chain security and AI-driven threat detection.
“The future demands resilient, auditable security architectures. Reactive is over—proactive is the new imperative,” Pollard said, urging investment in self-healing endpoints, AI-driven SecOps, and Zero Trust architectures.
Building Zero Trust at the Endpoint – Simon Townsend, Field CTO, IGEL
Simon Townsend showcased IGEL OS 12 and COSMOS, a modular, cloud-native security platform. IGEL OS 12’s immutable, read-only design minimizes attack surfaces, while COSMOS orchestrates security policies and updates across all devices.
“We’re not just managing endpoints—we’re empowering them to enforce security policies in real-time,” Townsend said.
Identity-First Security – Joseph Davis, Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft
Joseph Davis highlighted Microsoft’s identity-first security approach, powered by Microsoft Entra ID, Defender for Endpoint, and Intune. He explained how unifying cloud-scale AI with endpoint telemetry enables faster threat detection and response.
“When identity and endpoint security work together, you get faster decisions and better outcomes,” Davis said, emphasizing Microsoft’s partnership with IGEL for coordinated threat intelligence.
Hardware as the Frontline – Citrix, HP, Lenovo, LG Panel
A panel featuring leaders from Citrix, HP, Lenovo, and LG explored hardware-agnostic platforms that extend device lifespan and reduce vendor lock-in. AI at the edge was a major theme, with discussions on performance optimization and anomaly detection.
“Security, efficiency, and sustainability aren’t separate goals—they’re interconnected,” said Robert Hallock, VP at Lenovo.
The Next
The second keynote session “The Next,” looked ahead at the future of endpoint security, cloud workspaces, and AI-driven security.
Vision for the Future – Klaus Oestermann, CEO, IGEL
Klaus Oestermann discussed IGEL’s transition from hardware-based solutions to a software-driven security leader. He emphasized moving away from reactive security models toward preventative architectures.
“The future of endpoint security lies in prevention-first strategies—not reactive defenses,” he said.
The Power of the IGEL Ecosystem – James Millington, VP of Product Marketing, IGEL
Millington highlighted IGEL’s growing partner ecosystem, now featuring 100+ technology partners, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Omnissa. IGEL’s cloud integrations ensure secure, flexible digital workspaces.
Industry Shifts & Secure Workspaces – Scott Manchester, VP of Windows 365 & AVD, Microsoft
Scott Manchester explored how Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) are reshaping enterprise IT. He emphasized that cloud-based virtual desktops enhance security, efficiency, and scalability, making them the future of enterprise IT.
Cybersecurity & Preventative Security – John Walsh, IGEL Field CTO for Critical Sectors
John Walsh stressed that cybersecurity must shift from reactive to preventative models. IGEL’s Linux-based OS, with its read-only, encrypted architecture, provides built-in defense against ransomware and malware.
Healthcare & Digital Transformation – Jason Mafera, Field CTO for Healthcare, IGEL
Jason Mafera addressed healthcare IT challenges, focusing on data protection, compliance, and secure digital workspaces. IGEL OS helps streamline security while reducing IT complexity.
The Future of Secure, Cloud-Driven Digital Workspaces
Now & Next 2025 reinforced IGEL’s shift to proactive security models, eliminating attack surfaces rather than reacting to threats. Cloud-based workspaces, Windows 365, and Azure Virtual Desktop are transforming enterprise IT, while IGEL’s expanding partnerships are driving secure cloud adoption.
Gersh summed it up: “You can’t patch your way to zero trust. Security must be built into the architecture, not added as an afterthought.”
The conference also emphasized sustainability and resilience. IGEL’s solutions help organizations extend device lifespans, reduce e-waste, and maintain business continuity—especially in high-risk industries like healthcare and finance.
“We’re seeing strong momentum in healthcare and financial services, where security and compliance are mission-critical,” Gersh said. “IGEL ensures operations continue—even in a ransomware scenario.”
As the sun set over Miami, the conversations sparked at Now & Next 2025 are just beginning. With high-impact discussions, cutting-edge tech, and strategic partnerships, IGEL is shaping the future of endpoint security—starting at the edge.
