PODCAST · business
The Perfect Storm
by Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster
In this monthly podcast for business executives and information security professionals, industry veterans Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster chat with guests about the latest cyber news, threats, and trends impacting small and medium businesses. Harbor’s proactive rather than reactive solutions help our clients develop the cybersecurity program necessary to take their organization to the next level. Harbor's innovative processes are based on industry-standard frameworks that are tailored to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
Episodes
-
From IT Support to Strategic Advantage: AI, Security & the Future of SMB Technology
In this episode of The Perfect Storm, Michael Markulec talks with Darek Hahn of AffinIT about how IT is evolving from a support function into a strategic business advantage. They explore the growing impact of AI, the need for stronger security and employee training, and why SMB leaders need to…
more -
Cybersecurity in Manufacturing: The View from IT
In this episode of The Perfect Storm, Michael Markulec sits down with Joan Stevens, IT Director at Phillips Distilling, to discuss the realities of managing cybersecurity in a manufacturing environment. They explore balancing AI adoption with emerging risks, protecting legacy and operational...
-
CMMC & Beyond: What the Phase 2 Pause Means
Michael Markulec talks with Adam Austin, Co-Founder and President of Totem Technologies, about the Department of Defense's suspension of CMMC Phase 2 and what it means for organizations across the Defense Industrial Base. They discuss why contractors should continue building toward NIST SP…
more -
CMMC: REALITY CHECK FOR DEFENSE CONTRACTORS
Michael sits down with Arthur Neumann, Director of IT and Cybersecurity Delivery at IMRI, to explore key trends in the cybersecurity landscape—particularly within the defense contracting space. The conversation dives into the evolving CMMC framework, the growing reality of audits, and why many...
-
Cybersecurity, Compliance, and the SMB Challenge
In this episode of The Perfect Storm, Michael speaks with Josh Zweig, CEO and co-founder of Zip Security, about the cybersecurity challenges facing today’s small and medium-sized businesses. Josh shares how Zip Security is helping organizations simplify security operations, reduce implementation...
-
Fractional Compliance
Matt sits down with Sara Mirsky-Terranova of AE Consulting LLC to explore the growing demand for Fractional Compliance Officers and how small to mid-sized businesses—especially fintechs and banks—can leverage the fractional model to build strong, scalable compliance programs. Sara shares insights...
-
Episode 52: Michael Markulec & Matthew Webster
In this episode, Michael and Matthew discuss the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the growing challenges organizations face as threats continue to increase. They highlight how many businesses remain unprepared for modern cyber risks, despite the rising frequency and impact of attacks. The...
-
Episode 51: with Craig Sekowski & Ralph Pasquariello
n this episode, Michael speaks with Care Report founders Craig Sekowski and Ralph Pasquariello to examine the evolving role of cybersecurity insurance in today’s business landscape. Care Report specializes in converting cyber risk data into actionable financial intelligence, enabling…
more -
Episode 50: with Steven Laino
In this episode of The Perfect Storm, Matthew sits down with cybersecurity veteran Steven Laino, founder of Expert Infosec and former AWS consultant to Fortune 500 companies. They dive into the evolving world of cloud security, with a focus on how startups and SMBs can protect their environments...
-
Episode 49: with Michael and Matthew
This episode dives into the latest shifts in their own business, exploring the power of compliance automation tools and the importance of continuous risk. They also offer advice to small business owners navigating the complex tech world.
-
Episode 47: with Jeremy M. Deck
Michael meets with VP of Hub International, Jeremy M. Deck, MBA, on this episode of The Perfect Storm. With Jeremy’s vast experience as a Veteran, Consultant, Advisor, and Subject Matter Expert, he discusses risk management and how his company, Hub International, helps clients manage risk across...
-
Episode 46: with Mary-Beth Macaluso
Matthew talks with Mary, the CEO of Paynela, a company determined to stop the cost of medication from being a barrier of access for patients. Being a company founded just under a year ago, they discuss challenges and tips for starting a company in the cybersecurity sector, including the…
more -
Episode 45: with Chris Hale
Michael meets with Chris Hale, an IT expert and co-founder of Technology Response Team in Colorado. They discuss the importance of SMBs taking the steps to transition from managed services to managed security services. They also talk about staying ahead of emerging technologies being implemented…
more -
Episode 44: with Michael and Matthew
Michael and Matthew meet to talk about the 20th year of Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming in October. They mention four simple steps both individuals and businesses can take to stay cyber-safe. They discuss recommendations including using multi-factor authentication, implementing a password...
-
Episode 43: with David Abodunrin
Michael talks with David Abodunrin, who is the Cybersecurity Project Manager/Enterprise Agile Coach at Cybarik in Manchester, UK. They discuss all things information security, such as the cost of security, but also how essential it is to a business and how important awareness training is for…
more -
Episode 42: with Laura Bell Main
Michael talks with Laura Bell Main, an Application Security Specialist and the CEO of Safestack Academy. Safestack Academy works to educate software developers on how to incorporate security into their systems. In this episode, Michael and Laura discuss how often software teams should be testing...
-
Episode 41: with Kingsley Hill
In this episode, Michael talks with Kingsley Hill, the Regional Director at Freeman Clarke. They delve into the role of fractional CIOs and CTOs in mid-market companies. They discuss how these technology experts provide valuable insights into understanding technological challenges and the…
more -
Episode 40: with Nishat Azam
In this episode, Matthew is joined by Nishat Azam, Director of Compliance at Cypher LLC. They discuss a small business' journey to achieving CMMC compliance and becoming a C3PAO. Nishat provides valuable insights into the steps businesses must take to prepare for a CMMC audit and achieve...
-
Episode 39: with Nathan Hamiel
In this podcast, Matthew interviews Nathan Hamiel, the Senior Director of Research at Kudelski Security, where they discuss various topics surrounding AI. They cover the areas of security, LLMs, and the social language of ChatGPT. Their discussion also includes privacy concerns such as…
more -
Episode 38: with Mark Phander
Michael meets with Mark Phander, the Risk Adviser at CBIZ Borden Perlman. They talk about the rise in cyber insurance coverage for businesses, how cyber insurance and cybersecurity practices have evolved at CBIZ, and how clients and businesses have reacted in recent years to cyber policy changes....
-
Episode 37: with Nicholas Blank and Chris Goosen
Matthew talks to Nicholas Blank, the CEO of NBConsult, and Chris Goosen, Technology Consultant and Microsoft MVP about Zero Trust. They discuss its guiding principles, including what to do if a vendor contacts your business regarding Zero Trust. They also talk about the importance of using…
more -
Episode 36: with Michael and Matthew
Michael and Matthew are back after a holiday break to continue The Perfect Storm Podcast in 2023. They discuss possible upcoming trends in cybersecurity this year and current news circulating in the cyber field. They give advice about how to best protect your business’s data by choosing the right...
-
Episode 35: with Lisa Lorenzin
Matthew meets with security expert Lisa Lorenzin, a former Field CTO-AMS at Zscaler. They discuss the evolution of the modern workplace over the last few years, especially with the increase in remote workers. They focus on a variety of topics in the history and current state of remote work,...
-
Episode 34: with Richard Shapiro
Matthew talks with Richard Shapiro, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Sierra Canyon School in California. They discuss why it is vital to educate students and teachers on security practices and describe a class offered at Sierra Canyon that teaches students how to be cyber-safe. They...
-
Episode 33: with David Lennon
Matthew meets with David Lennon, the Director of Enterprise Solutions at FireMon. They talk about managing firewall rules, cyber threat maps, and the importance of having good cyber hygiene. They also discuss Firemon’s move to cloud security operations, specifically focusing on access control for...
-
Episode 32: with Matt Hagovsky
Matthew meets with Matt Hagovsky, the North American Sales Engineering VP for Cybereason. They discuss how Cybereason approaches endpoint attacks by distilling all alerts into one to help users map out their cyber vulnerabilities in a quicker and more useful way. They also talk about how…
more -
Episode 31: with Mike DeKock
Mike Dekock returns, in his third episode with The Perfect Storm Podcast, to discuss with Matthew what to look for in a SOC 2 report. They talk about requirements for SOC 2 that customers should be sure they include and go into further detail about each step of creating a SOC 2 report. Mike also...
-
Episode 30: with Scott Schober
Michael meets with Scott Schober, the President, and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems. Scott is an expert in wireless security technology and is a best-selling author of numerous books on cybersecurity. They discuss Scott's role at the company in educating businesses on the importance of...
-
Episode 29: with Erick Burd
Michael talks with Erick Burd, who is a Network Engineer at a large NJ University and Chairperson of the Hopewell Twp. Board of Fire Commissioners. Erick discusses the challenges faced within the IT department, such as the pandemic and budget limitations. They also talk about how security is part...
-
Episode 28: with Jean-guy Lauture
Michael meets with Jean-guy R. Lauture MPP, CG-CIO, the Assistant Township Administrator in the Technology Department for Bloomfield Township, NJ. Jean-guy talks about many of the projects within the township that the IT Department takes on. They discuss how different projects in the municipality...
-
Episode 27: with Luke Wegryn
Matthew speaks with Luke Wegryn, the Co-founder of Pensive Security, about the company and how he started it. They discuss the main services provided, including cybersecurity penetration testing on web, mobile, and cloud devices. They also talk about when it is important to perform a pen test and...
-
Episode 26: Mike DeKock
Matthew and Mike DeKock, the CEO of MJD Advisors, meet a second time to discuss preparation for SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) and audit certification. In this episode, they discuss cost, the differences between SOC type 1 and SOC type 2, and more about the certification process.
-
Episode 25: with Matt Burch
Michael meets with Matt Burch, the VP of ComportSecure. They talk about some of the services ComportSecure provides, including IT Solutions, Managed Services, and Cloud Services. They also discuss other cybersecurity topics such as BaaS (Backup as a Service), ransomware, and EDR solutions…
more -
Episode 24: with Tim Erlin
Matthew talks with Tim Erlin, the former VP of Tripwire and long-time security expert, about compliance with PCI (Payment Card Industry). They describe the importance of PCI compliance and how it can help protect against attacks such as credential theft. They also discuss the concept of…
more -
Episode 23: with Mike DeKock
Matthew meets with Mike DeKock, the Founder and CEO of MJD Advisors to talk all about SOC 2 (Service Organization Control). As his company specializes in SOC 2, Mike talks about how MJD Advisors helps explain the service to clients and how he guides them through the process. They also discuss how...
-
Episode 22: with Deb Rose
Matthew meets with Deborah Rose, the COO at Goalsetter. She explains how Goalsetter was founded, and how it helps teach children and families how to be financially healthy. They also talk about how that connects to cybersecurity and how banks and fintech differ.
-
Episode 21: with Alex Clark
Matthew talks with Alex, the VP Cyber Solutions Leader at Hylant, about cyber insurance. They discuss risk transfer programs and the importance of an incident response plan. They also mention the human risk factor and how employees can impact businesses, specifically through ransomware.
-
Episode 20: with Elaine Evans
Michael meets with Elaine, the Manager at Springboard IT, part of Springboard Media. They talk about how Springboard IT outsources help for businesses with Mac and iOS IT support. They also discuss other services Springboard IT provides as an MSP (Managed Service Provider), especially during the...
-
Episode 19: with Lynn Burns
Matthew meets with Lynn Burns, the President of the nonprofit organization NCMS. They discuss how NCMS volunteers support and educate its 7,000 members on CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) to protect CUI (controlled unclassified information). They talk about contractor security…
more -
Episode 18: with Matt Cerny
Matthew talks with Matt Cerny, the Director of Information Security at Integra Life Sciences and long-time cyber expert. They discuss cyber encryption and the importance of educating employees in cyber safety. They also talk about being approachable cyber professionals so that employees feel...
-
Episode 17: with Julian Sylvestro
Matthew meets with Julian Sylvestro, the Director of Insurance and Legal Verticals at Secureworks. They discuss the need for cybersecurity insurance and different types of coverage. They also talk about the assistance that Secureworks provides for its customers.
-
Episode 16: with Jim Cavanagh
Matthew meets with Jim Cavanagh, the Owner and Principal Consultant of Executive Healthcare Consulting. Jim talks about his extensive career in IT and healthcare consulting and the challenges that healthcare workers have been facing during the pandemic. They also bring up the rise in ransomware…
more -
Episode 15: with Lee Sult
Matthew meets with Lee Sult, the General Manager at Corvid Cyberdefense to discuss cloud computing and cloud security. They also talk about the shared security model that cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), around the world implement in their security.
-
Episode 14: with Matthew and Michael
Matthew and Michael chat about cybersecurity trends over the last year and discuss upcoming trends to look out for in 2022. They talk about the future of CMMC, risk management, and security awareness training. They also mention Apache Log4j and its vulnerabilities in 2021 that could continue to...
-
Episode 13: with Loredana Niculae
Michael meets with Loredana Niculae, the CEO of NNC Services, which is a marketing company that provides strategies for IT companies and professional service companies. They discuss a few marketing strategies, such as marketing businesses to a specific persona and understanding your buyer.…
more -
Episode 12: with David Trapani
Michael talks with David Trapani, the owner of sales and training organization, Sandler Training. They discuss how changes in technology and cybersecurity regulations have affected sales processes. David also brings up the benefits of reinforcement training through security awareness.
-
Episode 11: with John Britton
Matthew talks with John Britton about CMMC updates in John’s second episode of the Perfect Storm. John is the Technical Director for Corvid Cyberdefense, a partner of Harbor TG. They detail the changes in CMMC, from version 1.3 to the new 2.0 version, and discuss each level within the new version...
-
Episode 10: with Evan Kennedy
Michael talks with Evan Kennedy, a security consultant here at Harbor Technology Group, about his nearly two years working at Harbor. They discuss Harbor’s approach to awareness training, including the two-prong curriculum for simulated phishing. Evan also details the difference between...
-
Episode 9: with Johnny Lieberman and Zack Miller
Matthew has a discussion with Johnny Liberman and Zack Miller of Worklyn Partners, an investing and operating company they co-founded. They discuss how they created the company and their plan for creating a one-stop-shop provider of cybersecurity services for mid-market and SMB customers. With...
-
Episode 8: with Anton Major
Matthew has a discussion with Anton Major, the Director of Technology at VelocIT, about what his job is like managing an organization’s IT as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). They talk about changes in the company and its clients during the pandemic, specifically how a hybrid work environment...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
In this monthly podcast for business executives and information security professionals, industry veterans Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster chat with guests about the latest cyber news, threats, and trends impacting small and medium businesses. Harbor’s proactive rather than reactive solutions help our clients develop the cybersecurity program necessary to take their organization to the next level. Harbor's innovative processes are based on industry-standard frameworks that are tailored to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
HOSTED BY
Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Perfect Storm have?
The Perfect Storm currently has 57 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Perfect Storm about?
In this monthly podcast for business executives and information security professionals, industry veterans Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster chat with guests about the latest cyber news, threats, and trends impacting small and medium businesses. Harbor’s proactive rather than reactive solutions...
How often does The Perfect Storm release new episodes?
The Perfect Storm has 57 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Perfect Storm?
You can listen to The Perfect Storm on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Perfect Storm?
The Perfect Storm is created and hosted by Michael Markulec and Matthew Webster.
URL copied to clipboard!