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Help Us Welcome (Back) Dwight!

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Recorded April 2022. Regulations, deadlines, requirements and products discussed in this episode reflect that date and may have changed since. For where things stand today, see our current compliance guidance or ask us.

The episode in brief

What this episode covers

Erin hosts this episode of the Petronella Technology Group podcast without Craig, joined by Blake, BJ, and returning guest Dwight, a systems administrator of 30 years who first worked at the company back in 2010. Dwight recalls what the firm was like in its early break-fix days and why he came back.

The panel discusses a report that a cybersecurity analyst stole nearly $600,000 in cryptocurrency from a client, and BJ stresses getting a trusted cybersecurity partner vetted. Dwight works to demystify jargon, defining cyber in plain terms and arguing that most security is simply best practices and good hygiene. The group debates teaching cybersecurity in schools, the stereotype of grumpy IT staff, and the sudden shift to work from home, which Dwight says roughly doubled demands on internal corporate IT. Dwight also recounts a phishing attempt that cost a client a million dollars, and the episode closes with reflections on data ownership, with BJ arguing that your data is a digital copy of you.

Worth remembering

Key takeaways

  1. BJ says it is very important to get a trusted cybersecurity partner vetted and to start bridging the gap of understanding about cyber.
    “It's very important to not only get a trusted cybersecurity partner vetted, but also to start to try to bridge that gap of understanding”
  2. Dwight argues that most security is just best practices and good hygiene, like strong passwords instead of sticky notes on your monitor.
    “I call it good hygiene. That's what a lot security is it just, common sense approach to what you can do in your environment to prevent people from getting information.”
  3. Dwight says user training is very important, because educated people feel empowered and can recognize phishing instead of panicking or putting their heads in the sand.
    “People have to be educated, once they're educated it empowers them, and then they don't feel so daunted and panic whenever they see something because now everybody's ringing the bell, right?”
  4. Dwight recommends acceptable use policies, proper education, and simple checklists, arguing that employees must take personal responsibility and that everybody can follow a checklist.
    “You keep it simple and you use step on our checklist. Checklist one checklist two, checklist three. Everybody can follow a checklist.”
  5. Dwight describes a client losing a million dollars after a phishing attempt and says the bank felt a call-back verification process would have prevented it.
    “this wasn't even super complicated having an officer from the bank call verify a transaction over a specified amount of money”
  6. Dwight observes that the shift to work from home roughly doubled demands on internal corporate IT, contributing to burnout and people leaving the industry.
    “Moving to a virtual environment, the demands have increased I would say double internal corporate it, if not more. So that's a big factor.”
  7. BJ argues that no one else should own your data, because your data is a digital copy of you.
    “Well, people should own their own data. That's the thing. No one should own your data because your data is a digital copy of you.”

The summary and takeaways were drafted with AI from the transcript below. Each takeaway is shown with the passage it comes from.

From the show notes

About this episode

On today's podcast, the Petronella Technology Group talks with their newest tech, Dwight, about not only his past experiences but also what he has learned along away.

With over 30 years of IT/Cybersecurity/MSP experience (which includes working with Petronella Technology Group over a decade ago), we know he will add a lot of value to the team... We are thrilled to welcome him back!

Hosts : BJ, Blake & Erin Guest : Dwight

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