Gone Phishing

Are you prepared for the ever-changing landscape of the MSP industry? Today Connor dives into the transformative power of education in the world of Managed Service Providers. He is joined by Alex Farling, co-founder at Empath, a cutting-edge platform dedicated to MSP education. Alex shares the challenges MSPs face in the talent shortage and how Empath is filling the gap by offering comprehensive e...

Have you ever wondered why public speaking is one of the most common fears, second only to the fear of death? In this episode of Gone Phishing, Connor and Kelsey Blankenship-Lackland discuss the art of public speaking, drawing on their own experiences and offering advice for overcoming this universal fear. They stress the importance of authenticity and share tips for calming pre-speech jitters. Fr...

In today's digital age, internet trends change at lightning speed. It's crucial to not just stay up-to-date but also ahead of the curve. Connor Swalm and Kelcye Blankenship-Lackland reveal the secrets to being your authentic self while navigating the constantly evolving digital landscape. They delve into the quirky world of "Girl Math" and "Girl Dinner," which are fascinating TikTok trends that re...

Are you interested in how your personal brand can help you make new connections and open doors to new opportunities in the MSP industry? Today, Connor and Kelcye Blankenship-Lackland, Channel Engagement Manager at CyberQP, discuss the power of personal branding. Kelcye explains how personal brands can impact a company's brand, and why building your personal brand is a game-changer in the professio...

Have you ever wondered how Shadow IT and compliance frameworks fit into the realm of cybersecurity? In this episode, Connor talks once again with John Harden - Senior Product Marketing Manager of SaaS at Auvik - to discuss the complexities of Shadow IT, compliance, and cybersecurity risk management. They address the important question of how organizations can effectively manage the risks posed by...

In this episode, we delve back into the world of shadow IT with John Harden, Senior Product Marketing Manager of SaaS at Auvik. Connor and John discuss the crucial role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in managing Shadow IT and explore how MSPs can take advantage of Shadow IT visibility to become trusted advisors. By moving away from routine technical reporting towards strategic consulting, MSP...

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the secret world of Shadow IT. Our guest, John Harden from Auvik, explains the definition and different forms of Shadow IT, highlighting the lurking data security risks. With the rise of remote work, the use of unapproved tools has accelerated, leaving digital data breadcrumbs that can compromise security. We explore how IT teams can tackle these challen...

Today, Connor is joined once again by Will Brooks from FifthWall Solutions to discuss Cyber Insurance and the essential role of security awareness training in insurance policies. Insurance carriers usually demand policyholders to implement specific security controls, including security awareness training. Meeting these requirements can lead to more favorable insurance policies and rates for your v...

In this episode, Connor interviews Matthew Fisch, the founder of Fort Mesa, to discuss the intricacies of securing a government contract and navigating the complex realm of cybersecurity compliance for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). They delve into the essential takeaways for MSPs, covering the requirements for government contracts and the introduction of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certif...

In this episode, Connor is joined by Will Brooks from Fifth Wall Solutions to explore the intricacies of cyber insurance. They delve into the important role played by Managed Service Providers and share tips for staying ahead of cyber threats. Tune in to discover how to streamline the insurance process and effectively protect your business in today's ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Connect...

Today we welcome cybersecurity expert Matthew Fisch, founder of Fort Mesa to help us unravel the intricate world of cybersecurity and cyber insurance, and how CIS (Center for Internet Security) controls serve as a compass for cybersecurity success. Learn how following a prescriptive order of implementation can align your security strategy with insurance requirements, and discover essential domain...

Today Connor sits down with cybersecurity thought leader and founder of Fort Mesa, Matthew Fisch, They dive deep into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity spending, dissecting how it's no longer about just budgeting but investing in visible returns. They debunk the myth that cybersecurity is a commodity and explore why it's an absolute necessity for businesses of all sizes. Connect with Matt o...

Joining me again for an insightful conversation is Mary Signorelli, Director of Partner Experience. Today we talk about why the MSP channel is renowned for its tight-knit, community-focused approach and learn why community events are like family reunions for tech-savvy professionals. Uncover the secrets to building authentic relationships and discover how helping others can create lasting connecti...

Welcome to today's episode where Mary Signorelli, the Director of Partner Experience at Phin, and I will be discussing the essential components required to form a successful team. Effective communication, trust, and mutual respect are all vital elements that must be present in order for a team to work collaboratively toward a shared objective. If you're seeking advice on how to create a strong tea...

Welcome to the 'Gone Phishing' boat, Mary Signorelli. Mary is a seasoned professional with eight years of experience in the MSP channel. Together Conner and Mary dive into the world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), emphasizing the critical role of integrity and honesty in building trust with customers. They discuss how MSPs foster a close-knit community, where collaboration often trumps compet...

In this episode, Connor and Nick Wolf from EVO Security discuss the intricate world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and their expanding tech stacks. The conversation delves into the challenges MSPs face as they balance multiple vendors and products, which can strain their teams. Nick shares invaluable insights on why it's crucial for vendors to consolidate and simplify their tech stack to opti...

Nick Wolf returns in this episode as we explore the important topic of Privileged Access Management (PAM) and its crucial role in cybersecurity. Nick emphasizes why PAM is now a necessity rather than just an option for organizations. He sheds light on how it is being adopted in the MSP industry and how cybersecurity insurance is evolving. Additionally, we share valuable resources for those who wan...

Today I dispel the misconception that small businesses are impervious to cyberattacks simply because they don't receive media attention. Cyberattacks involve more than just stealing data, they also entail unauthorized access to confidential information, funds, or permissions. Even if your business isn't specifically targeted, it still faces potential risks, especially through third-party security...

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an extremely important security measure that greatly decreases the chances of unauthorized access to online accounts. However, despite its significance, a lot of people, including MSPs and non-experts, still find it difficult to make it a regular practice.  In this episode, Nick Wolf joins us to share some practical steps to help MSPs implement MFA effectively...

Cybercrime is a prevalent issue in our society, unfortunately. It's disheartening that some people and companies choose to stealing over honest work. My goal and part of the reason I started Phin Security is to bridge the gap between the cost of stealing and the cost of earning through ethical means. I believe that the risks associated with stealing should be higher in order to discourage individu...

Our top priority for promoting cybersecurity awareness should be through education. As an MSP, we must focus on effective communication with our clients in order to ensure they are knowledgeable on the subject. This requires taking the time to sit down with them and teach them about common terms, as well as explaining how they apply in practical situations. By doing so, we can help them better und...

Today we raise the AI red flag again and talk with Adam Evans about how MSPs should be using this technology and more importantly the risks involved when using AI or large language models to do some of your tasks as an MSP. Connect with Adam Evans on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grcadame/ Want to find out more about Security Awareness Training check out Phin Securities: https://www.phinse...

There is a growing concern that Managed Service Providers (MSPs) may be neglecting security in order to cut costs. It's crucial to prioritize proper procedures and avoid shortcuts to prevent oversights and expensive mistakes. Adam Evans from Simplex-IT returns today with a friendly reminder that if you don't have time to do it right, you don't have time to do it at all. Connect with Adam Evans on...

Starting with compliance is a great first step for any company looking to improve its Security Awareness Training. However, it shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. Compliance only offers a basic level of protection, and it is essential to exceed the standards to adapt security needs to the specific risks and vulnerabilities of the company. Therefore, it is important to consider what an ideal Security A...

Although the MSP industry is experiencing exciting innovation and attracting outside investment, it's important to avoid being lured by big dollars and focusing solely on the build-to-sell model. To truly excel as an MSP, it's crucial to strive for greatness regardless of the future of your company. Jason Slagle is here to offer some tips on how you can become a standout player in this rapidly gro...