One of Executech's most popular blog articles is on improving your PC performance, written back in 2017. In this episode, James and Derik talk through each of the 10 tips to see how they hold up in 2024 and offer some additional tips to get your PC running smoother this year.
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Join James and Derik with guest Matt Winters, Product Manager and Senior Technical Trainer at Utah Education Network, in a deep dive into AI's impact on education.
Explore how AI enhances learning experiences, its potential to reshape the professional landscape for future generations, and the possible pitfalls and misinformation that AI can create.
The trio discusses learning resources and essential tools for navigating this exciting field. Whether you're a parent or educator, gain valuable insights into the evolving intersection of AI and education in this eye-opening episode.
To hear more about what Matt is training Utah educators on, to ask questions, or for a valuable resource, check out his website:
For all of us last-minute shoppers, James and Derik put together a gift guide for the tech lover in your life.
They've compiled a broad list of around 20 gift ideas for kids and adults with a wide range of prices from $30 and up. The list varies from the ultra-niche to smart home, audio, time/space savers, and things just for fun.
None of the products listed are sponsors or affiliated with Between the Bytes or Executech in any way. The products can be found at several stores (Target, Best Buy, Amazon, etc.) or by searching by name online.
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In this eye-opening episode, James and Derik dive into Okta's most recent breach. The fallout was not just about the $2 billion hit to their stock but also the critical errors made in communicating the incident to the public - again.
They discuss the prevalence of stolen credentials in today's digital landscape and the importance of safeguarding personal information.
James and Derik also explain why investors should pay close attention to a company's cyber defenses. In an era where data is more valuable than ever, understanding the risks and rewards of investing in a digitally connected world is crucial.
Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion beyond the headlines, providing insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, communication strategies in the face of a breach, and its pivotal role in shaping the future of investments.
In this episode of Between the Bytes, James and Derik dive deep into the world of API security with a special guest, Jeremy Snyder, co-founder of FireTail.io. Jeremy helps unravel the complexities surrounding the importance of securing your APIs in today's digital landscape.
As businesses increasingly rely on APIs to connect and share data, the vulnerability of these gateways becomes a critical concern. Jeremy brings his expertise to the table, shedding light on the potential risks, real-world examples of security breaches, and the far-reaching consequences of inadequate API protection.
James and Derik then delve into Jeremy's leadership approach and the positive impact FireTail has seen from hiring people from a wide range of countries and backgrounds.
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Join hosts James and Derik in a dynamic episode featuring Steve Orrin, Federal CTO at Intel. They discuss cybersecurity trends, Intel's role in government, and critical insights into technology and leadership.
Learn about Intel's impactful partnership with government agencies, especially in the realm of supercomputers, and its role in driving innovation for significant topics like climate change.
Explore the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the challenges it presents to both public and private sectors.
Gain valuable advice on thriving in the technology industry from Steve Orrin, a seasoned expert, and explore the concept of leadership at scale and the critical attributes for effective leadership in tech organizations.
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In this episode of Between the Bytes, James and Derik invite Chet Wisniewski, Principal Research Scientist at Sophos, to explore the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
They discuss current and future cyber risks, the impact of AI on cybersecurity, selecting the best endpoint protection for your organization, and the crucial factor in preventing ransomware. Tune in to stay ahead in the fight against evolving cyber threats!
Join James and Derik in an inspiring conversation with Wendy Novak, Chairwoman and CEO of ABC - Western Washington.
Listen in as Wendy shares strategies to generate interest in trade careers and discusses the challenges and opportunities in this field. She also highlights the progress in promoting gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated industries like IT and construction.
Discover the invaluable support associations like ABC International provide to companies and individuals, including resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for policy changes. Wendy explains how associations play a crucial role in employee development, offering training, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities.
Finally, hear about Wendy's journey from starting at the front desk at ABC to becoming Chairwoman and CEO. Her story proves that women can positively impact traditionally male-dominated industries!
Join James and Derik in this episode as they shed more light on the darker side of the digital age.
First, they explore the fines imposed on Amazon and Ring for mishandling video recordings and giving access to the NSA (and just about anyone else who asked). They also talk about the mishandling of Amazon Kids accounts, compromising child account safety.
They also delve into recent cyberattacks, focusing on the DDoS attacks that targeted Microsoft tools and what it will take to stop them.
Lastly, James and Derik unpack the basics of the issues with Reddit. Companies face extinction due to exorbitant fees for API access, vigilante cyber counterattacks, and what it could mean in the long run.
Join us as we navigate the complexities of privacy, security, and ethics in the digital era.
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Join Derik and Gary in this insightful episode as they delve into the dynamic world of cybersecurity with Samuel Hill, Product Marketing Manager at Cyolo.
Unravel the concept of true Zero-Trust as Sam provides a fresh perspective on implementing this crucial practice. Explore the implications of slow government compliance standards and the need for agile strategies to stay secure in a rapidly changing landscape.
Sam also gives tips for building strong connections within organizations, fostering trust, and enabling effective communication.
Take advantage of this informative episode to stay informed and ahead of the curve!
In this episode, James and Derik cover a range of topics.
They discuss the KSL report revealing the $6 million costs of cyberattacks on Utah agencies. They also explore the importance of communication between IT professionals and other staff.
Additionally, they highlight Apple's decision to block employee use of Chat GPT and the Hundai-Kia $200 million settlement in "The Kia Challenge." Lastly, they touch upon the Supreme Court's dismissal of claims against Google and Twitter regarding terrorism support.
Tune in for insights on cyberattacks, employee communication, legal verdicts, and their implications.
Enjoy the show!
One of our co-hosts, James Fair, joined Data Leadership Lessons as a special guest appearance. Here's a repost of the episode in full. Enjoy! "This week, our guest is James Fair. James is a Senior Vice President for Executech. With over 35 years of experience in IT, 30 years in Leadership, and a dozen years in the interpersonal workspace, James combines his love for IT and cybersecurity along with his passion for Leadership development. Our conversation is sure to have something (likely many things) new you can do to make your digital life safer."
One of our co-hosts, James Fair, joined That Tech Show as a special guest appearance. Here's a repost of the episode in full. Enjoy!
"This week, we’re talking with James Fair. A man with 35 years of experience under his belt, working his way up from IT support to Senior Vice President at Executech, but what’s probably most interesting is his work in Utah-based Feature Films for Families, a Mormon production company based in Salt Lake City, and his voice-over work."
Gary and Derik welcome Lee Weech, Director of Sales @ Executech, back to share insights on how businesses can determine whether to use in-house IT or outsource their IT needs. Lee provides examples of when each solution makes sense and emphasizes the importance of communication, collaboration, and a deep understanding of business needs.
The episode also covers new cybersecurity requirements for business insurance and the importance of proactively assessing and mitigating cyber risks. Lee explains what an IT assessment is and provides tips on how companies can avoid falling behind in their organization's technology by investing in training and development and having a clear IT roadmap.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights for businesses seeking to optimize their IT solutions and ensure they have the right resources and strategies in place to stay competitive and secure in today's digital age.
Enjoy the show!
In this episode, Derik covers a recent phishing scam targeting SharePoint users. He explains how the scam works, and how it is able to bypass email filtering, web filtering, and MFA to steal login credentials.
Additionally, Derik provides tips and strategies from our cybersecurity team for preventing this type of attack and safeguarding your SharePoint account. By the end of this episode, you will have a clear understanding of the threat and the measures you can take to protect your organization.
In this week's episode, Gary & Derik interview Howard Headlee, President of the Utah Banker's Association, to discuss various banking-related topics.
The conversation delves into the unique landscape of banking in Utah, how Utah stacks up to the rest of the country, and the role banks play in the American dream. Howard also gives terrific insight into what it takes for people (specifically, your staff & coworkers) to be truly happy by explaining the difference between motivators and hygienes.
The episode also addresses the issues and misinformation that lead to the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the potential impact on the banking industry. With Howard's profound insights and expertise, come gain valuable insights into the world of banking, the pursuit of happiness, and the challenges banks face in today's rapidly evolving technical & financial landscape.
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James, Gary, and Derik talk about the recent discovery of a dangerous Microsoft exploit. This exploit not only gave unauthorized access to thousands of Outlook accounts, but it also gave access to personal information via Teams as well as the ability to manipulate Bing search results.
This news broke right around the time Microsoft announced the launch of Security Copilot, a partnership with Chat GPT that will assist cybersecurity professionals in both locating and preventing cyberattacks more effectively. Is this the start of the AI vs Cybersecurity war?
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James, Gary, and Derik get back to the very basics of cloud computing and backup in this episode. Because it can be such a vague and ambiguous term, we want to lay out exactly
This episode should help get anyone started on their research into cloud, no matter how new you are to the subject. For more information, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Cloud as well!
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Gary and Derik talk with Jim Christensen, CEO @ Lochbox, about how his company handles communications security for the DoD, their push to make comms security a compliance requirement for 3rd party government contractors, and why it should be a much larger concern for companies across the US as a whole.
Lochbox is the result of over 30 years of experience in the secure communications space with their parent company Callware. Callware’s experience developing solutions for the dynamic compliance needs of the Department of Defense taught them the necessity of communication security for standard operations as well as pre/post-cyber attack
Gary, Derik, and Jim also talk about the continued cybersecurity concerns involving China, banning TikTok, and other cybersecurity concerns facing US companies in 2023.
Enjoy the show!
FEI Utah and Executech got together live for this informative meeting where James navigates through the cyber risks facing businesses in 2023. Get a breakdown of a real risk register for your business.
Understand the essential layers of cyber protection that will help prevent an attack and the key planning steps and tools you should put in place to react and recover from a cyber incident.
If you'd like to see the visuals that accompanied the presentation, check out the recording on LinkedIn or YouTube!
