Embracing AI in the Cooperative Sector: Insights and Strategies

Join Tanner Greer, Chief Technology Officer at Blue Ridge Energy, and Anthony Kent from Four County EMC as they share their perspectives on integrating artificial intelligence in the cooperative industry. With a combined 35 years of IT experience, they discuss practical approaches, use cases, and challenges of AI adoption.

Discover the benefits of intelligent search, simple language query, and customized AI solutions, as well as important considerations for data privacy and addressing AI-related job impacts. Tune in to learn how cooperatives can leverage AI to enhance efficiency, productivity, and strategic thinking. Don't miss out on these valuable insights from North Carolina's IT leaders!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:13 Meet the Presenters

01:21 AI in the Cooperative Sector

02:55 Understanding AI and Its Impact

06:16 AI Use Cases in Cooperatives

08:30 Building and Implementing AI Solutions

10:58 Challenges and Considerations

12:57 AI Hardware and Cost Management

16:34 Leveraging AI for Efficiency

19:26 Integrating AI with Documentation

20:04 Future Goals for AI Implementation

20:14 Empowering Knowledge Base with AI

22:13 Challenges and Concerns with AI

25:28 Misconceptions About AI

30:35 Data Privacy Issues

31:57 Impact of AI on Jobs

37:25 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Top 5 Cybersecurity Policies Vital for IT Departments | Off The Wire Podcast Join Tanner and Anthony, seasoned IT executives with over 35 years of experience, as they debate the top five critical cybersecurity policies that every IT department should implement. From incident response plans to password policies, they break down the most vital measures needed to protect your organization against cyber threats. This episode is packed with insights on how best to secure your tech environment while keeping your company safe. Tune in and share the valuable lessons with your network! 00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast 00:19 Debate on Top Five IT Policies 02:13 Incident Response Policy 03:17 Patch Management Policy 12:18 Security Awareness and Training Policy 14:37 AI Policy Discussion 18:18 Password Policy 23:44 Identity and Access Management Policy 28:06 Backup and Recovery Policy 30:58 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Unlocking the Power of Low-Code Development with Adam W.

In this episode of Off the Wire, hosts Tanner and Anthony are joined by Adam W., a Senior Workflow Engineer at Shift Four, to dive deep into the world of low-code and no-code development. Adam shares his journey from help desk technician to low-code expert, discusses the various levels of coding, and explains how low-code platforms can revolutionize businesses, especially for small to medium-sized companies.

The discussion also touches on AI integration, security concerns, and the overall impact of low-code solutions in today's tech landscape. Tune in for an insightful conversation about modern coding and its potential to transform business processes.

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:19 Meet Our Guest: Adam W, Senior Workflow Engineer

00:36 Adam's Journey into Low-Code Development

03:32 Understanding Low-Code, No-Code, and Traditional Coding

05:55 Impact of Low-Code on Small and Medium Businesses

07:13 Cool Low-Code Projects and Their Impact

09:52 Balancing Technical and Soft Skills in Low-Code Development

21:05 Choosing the Right Low-Code Platform

26:01 Security Considerations in Low-Code Platforms

29:18 The Role of AI in Low-Code Development

32:48 Encouragement for Aspiring Low-Code Developers

34:21 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Deep Dive into Microsegmentation for Cybersecurity

Welcome to Off The Wire, the podcast that helps you curb your cybersecurity risk and tackle technology challenges. In this episode, hosts Tanner and Anthony discuss the concept of microsegmentation, its implementation, and its importance in improving network security. With decades of IT experience, they provide insights into the basics of microsegmentation, tools and methods for implementation, and the benefits of integrating this approach in business environments. Learn how to ensure network security, reduce vulnerabilities, and implement effective microsegmentation strategies. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more cybersecurity insights!

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:22 Discussing Microsegmentation

02:07 Understanding Microsegmentation Tools and Techniques

05:05 Challenges and Solutions in Microsegmentation

16:40 Implementing Zero Trust and Microsegmentation

30:30 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

AI's Impact on Jobs & Cybersecurity: Off The Wire Podcast Special Edition

In this special edition of Off The Wire, IT executives Tanner and Anthony dive deep into a discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market and cybersecurity. With 35 years of combined experience, they share personal insights, debate differing viewpoints, and explore the potential future of AI in various industries. They also discuss advice for the younger generation, the role of regulation, and practical use cases of AI in current workflows. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with expert opinions and thought-provoking questions about the evolving tech landscape.

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire

00:20 Today's Unique Format

01:18 Diving into AI's Impact on Jobs

01:56 Advice for the Next Generation

04:16 AI in Cybersecurity

06:01 The Double-Edged Sword of AI

08:40 Challenges and Limitations of AI

18:46 Real-World AI Applications

23:16 AI's Current Limitations and Future Potential

23:50 The Challenge of Knowledge Transfer

24:53 AI in the Workplace: Opportunities and Hurdles

27:04 The Future of AI and Human Adaptation

30:01 Speculations on AI's Long-Term Impact

34:44 Embracing AI: Strategies for Success

43:04 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Mastering IT Training: Best Practices and Pitfalls | Off The Wire Podcast

Welcome to Off The Wire, the podcast that helps you curb your cybersecurity risk and tackle technology challenges. In this episode, hosts Tanner and Anthony dive deep into the intricacies of technology training. They discuss how current training methods can be improved, the importance of training throughout the lifecycle of technology, and share real-world success stories and challenges. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in future training methods, the impact of organizational size, and the importance of having dedicated training personnel. Tune in to learn how to make training more engaging and effective in your organization!

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:20 Technology Training Overview

01:08 Challenges in Technology Training

05:52 Effective Training Methods

07:34 Training Tools and Techniques

21:25 The Role of AI in Training

26:34 Real-World Training Successes

33:18 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Mastering System Monitoring: Essential Techniques and Tools | Off The Wire Podcast

Welcome back to Off The Wire Podcast!

Join Tanner and Anthony, IT executives with 35 years of experience, as they delve into the crucial topic of system monitoring. Discover why this less-than-flashy software is indispensable for maintaining reliability and preempting issues before they impact end users. Learn about the key tools available, both open-source and paid, and explore how to effectively set up your environment. Also, hear unique use cases and war stories that underscore the value of robust system monitoring. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights on tackling cybersecurity risks and technology challenges. Share with friends to help our community grow!

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:50 The Importance of System Monitoring

04:00 Key Components to Monitor

06:05 Open Source and Paid Monitoring Tools

12:36 Agent-Based vs. Agentless Monitoring

14:23 Managing Alerts and False Positives

17:49 Benchmarking and Performance Metrics

20:52 Unique Monitoring Alerts

21:29 API and Service Monitoring

22:18 VMware Snapshots and Password Expirations

23:51 User Account Monitoring

24:32 Application-Specific Monitoring

26:43 War Stories: Monitoring in Action

32:59 The Importance of System Monitoring

38:05 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

41:34 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

Unpacking the 2025 Verizon DBIR Report: Key Cybersecurity Insights for SMBs

Welcome back to Off The Wire! In this episode, hosts Tanner and Anthony dive deep into the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). With 35 years of combined IT experience, they discuss the evolving threat landscape, notable trends in cybersecurity, and the importance of proactively researching and analyzing risks. From third party breaches and rising ransomware attacks to the increasing impact of AI and the critical role of patch management, we break down the actionable insights every small to medium-sized business needs to know. Tune in to understand the current cybersecurity dynamics and how they can affect your organization. Don’t forget to subscribe and share the podcast to help us grow and aid others in their cybersecurity journey!

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:20 Diving into the Evolving Threat Landscape

01:14 Unpacking Verizon's DBIR Report

04:11 Notable Trends and Rising Threats

04:25 Third Party Breaches and Risks

09:09 Ransomware: Trends and Insights

14:03 Espionage and Nation-State Threats

18:11 Understanding Attack Vectors

23:03 Mitigating Zero-Day Exploits

23:34 Importance of Regular Scanning and Patching

24:19 Internal vs External Vulnerability Management

25:21 Credentialed Vulnerability Scans

28:14 BYOD and Credential Security

30:43 AI's Role in Cybersecurity

34:23 Phishing and Training Effectiveness

35:43 Ransomware Threats to SMBs

37:17 Backup Strategies and Recovery

43:43 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Is the Phone Call Dead? Office Communications in Modern Workspaces

In this episode of 'Off the Wire,' IT executives Tanner and Anthony dive into the evolution of office communications, discussing whether phone calls are becoming obsolete. They explore the use of chat applications like Microsoft Teams, the rise of email, and the role of face-to-face interactions.

The discussion also covers the generational differences in communication preferences, the potential impact of AI on office communication, and the integration of third-party vendors through chat systems. Tune in to gain insights into how technology is reshaping workplace interactions and managing cybersecurity risks.

00:00 Introduction to Off The Wire Podcast

00:21 Is the Phone Call Dead?

01:03 Current Communication Methods in Modern Offices

01:27 Internal vs External Communication Preferences

06:27 Evolution of Phone Systems

14:14 The Rise of Chat Systems

18:35 Generational Differences in Communication

21:02 Generational Differences in Communication Styles

21:51 The Role of Punctuation and Informality in Chats

23:12 Departmental Variations in Communication

24:31 Choosing the Right Communication Medium

28:07 AI's Impact on Office Communication

35:25 Third-Party Collaboration and Security Concerns

42:11 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Shadow IT: Identifying and Managing Unauthorized Technology Use

In this episode of 'Off the Wire,' Tanner and Anthony discuss 'Shadow IT' and its implications on organizational security and efficiency. They delve into concrete examples, such as unauthorized software subscriptions and unapproved hardware purchases. Tanner and Anthony provide insights on why users engage in Shadow IT and the risks associated with it. They emphasize the importance of communication and understanding user needs to manage and potentially reduce Shadow IT. They also share practical tips and tools for identifying and mitigating the risks related to unauthorized technology use within an organization.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:49 Understanding Shadow IT

01:36 Real-Life Examples of Shadow IT

03:20 Addressing Shadow IT Concerns

08:48 Risks and Security Implications

11:48 Tools and Strategies to Detect Shadow IT

15:59 Effective Communication and User Engagement

24:33 Final Thoughts and Conclusion