Decrypting IT

Supporting office employees and field crews across multiple states is a big job for a small IT team. Mike Adams, who leads IT at Chesapeake Containment Systems, knows that firsthand.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, Mike joins Ashley Wallace to share what it takes to manage a distributed workforce, how he recognized it was time to change IT providers, and what he looked for in a new partner. He explains why Chesapeake chose Katalyst and how clearer communication, stronger accountability, and better visibility into security and backups have changed his day-to-day experience.

From the realities of switching providers to uncovering previously unknown vulnerabilities, this conversation offers practical advice for IT leaders looking for a partner that can support their team and grow with their business.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, host Ashley Wallace speaks with Nancy Warren, IT Director at Haywood Vocational Opportunities (HVO), a nonprofit organization that employs and trains individuals with disabilities while also manufacturing medical devices. They discuss the critical role of technology in maintaining operations, the challenges faced in IT management, and the importance of partnerships with technology providers like Catalyst. Nancy shares insights on how HVO has evolved its technology infrastructure, the significance of user support, and advice for other organizations on managing IT effectively.

In this episode of Decripping IT, Ashley Wallace and James Smart discuss the growing anti-MSP movement, highlighting the frustrations IT leaders face with traditional managed service providers. They explore Katalyst's unique approach to IT services, emphasizing partnership over vendor relationships, the importance of change management, and how to identify a quality MSP. The conversation aims to redefine what managed services should mean in today's technology landscape.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, Ashley Wallace sits down with Brian Williams to unpack why Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) is so much more than an IT checkbox. They dig into how ransomware is changing the game, why immutable backups are nonnegotiable, and the costly mistakes organizations make when they do not test their recovery plans. Brian also shares practical advice for leaders who are starting fresh with BCDR and tips for making sure your whole team, not just IT, is ready when it counts.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, host Ashley Wallace speaks with Alec Fenton, VP of Security Operations at Foresite, about the critical importance of cybersecurity monitoring and the challenges organizations face in maintaining effective security operations. They discuss the value of managed detection and response (MDR) services, the integration of Google SecOps, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, including phishing and cloud vulnerabilities. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring, expert insights, and proactive risk management to safeguard businesses against cyber threats.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, Ashley Wallace and Rich Springer discuss the critical importance of network segmentation in operational technology (OT) environments. They explore the differences between IT and OT networks, common misconceptions about OT security, and the risks associated with flat networks. Rich emphasizes the need for effective segmentation to protect against cyber threats, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is increasingly targeted by ransomware and nation-state actors. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in OT, offering practical steps for organizations to improve their security posture and best practices for managing OT cybersecurity effectively.

In this episode, Ashley Wallace and Paul Ihme discuss the critical importance of incident response planning in today's cyber landscape. They explore how organizations can prepare for breaches, the essential components of an incident response plan, and the significance of testing and updating these plans regularly. The conversation also delves into the first steps to take when a breach occurs, the importance of postmortem analysis, and the growing threat of business email compromise. Paul emphasizes the need for proactive measures and continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices to enhance resilience against cyber threats.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, host Ashley Wallace and guest Steven McNutt discuss the critical importance of perimeter security in today’s cybersecurity landscape. They explore the evolution of firewalls, the necessity of multi-factor authentication (MFA), and the significance of proper configuration and segmentation. The conversation also delves into breach response strategies, the role of sandboxing in threat detection, and the importance of geo-blocking. The episode concludes with actionable takeaways for organizations to enhance their firewall deployment and security posture.

In this kickoff episode, Ashley Wallace sits down with Katalyst CEO Luke Johnson to unpack the vision behind the 2025 Cybersecurity Annual Report. They explore why mid-size organizations are facing growing cybersecurity gaps, highlight some of the most eye-opening data points from this year’s report, and discuss simple, actionable steps organizations can take to strengthen their security posture. This conversation sets the stage for the full mini-series, breaking the report into focused, practical conversations.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, host Ashley Wallace and guest John Arnott explore AI's evolving role in business and everyday life. They discuss generative AI, common misconceptions, and strategies for effective AI use. The conversation covers security, future trends, workforce impact, and the balance between innovation, regulation, and privacy compliance.