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SMSEagle at IT Academy with partner IT AWACS

As part of our partnership with IT AWACS, we had the opportunity to take part in the IT Academy event in the Czech Republic. The meeting provided space for discussions on practical cybersecurity challenges and the role of effective communication in incident response. This naturally raises the question of which communication channels truly work in critical situations. 

What do cybersecurity, critical incidents, and… SMS messages have in common?

In incident response, success is not determined solely by advanced tools or detection systems. Very often, it is the simplicity and reliability of communication that decides whether a response happens on time.

This perspective was shared by Andrzej Kubala from the SMSEagle team, who focused on out‑of‑band (OOB) communication in cybersecurity. Rather than treating OOB communication as a phase that begins after an incident is detected, the presentation highlighted it as a deliberate, independent communication layer — designed to remain available even when primary systems or networks fail.

Presenter in brown shirt explains slide to a seated audience in a training room; screen shows 'Why SMS still works' and IT AWACS banners are visible.

When alerts exist, but communication fails

One of the examples discussed during the presentation was the well‑known Equifax security breach. It clearly showed that in many situations the problem is not the lack of alerts or detection systems. The real issue is an ineffective communication chain, where incident information does not reach the right people in time. For readers who want to explore this case in more detail, a comprehensive external analysis is available here: Equifax data breach – what happened and why it mattered [security.org]

 

This is why communication independent of corporate networks, servers, and applications is critical. Andrzej described scenarios in which “in‑band” channels fail, while a simple and independent channel like SMS remains one of the most reliable ways to deliver alerts. Its independence makes it especially valuable in environments where other systems are disrupted, isolated, or deliberately shut down.

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Communication that supports real response

A key takeaway from the discussion was that effective incident response depends on more than detection. It requires communication channels that support real human action — quickly, clearly, and without relying on complex infrastructure. Simple, resilient communication can make the difference between delayed reaction and timely response.

Thank you to IT AWACS

We would like to thank the IT AWACS team for the invitation and excellent organization of the IT Academy event, as well as all participants for the engaging discussions and exchange of practical experience. We are glad we could share our perspective on the practical aspects of communication in cybersecurity – where technology meets real operational decisions.

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