Uncle Marv's IT Business Podcast (Products, stories, and tips for the MSP and IT Professional)

Uncle Marv hosts the IT Business Podcast live from ASCII Edge in Boston, featuring guest Brianna Rubino, Director of Events for the ASCII Group. Brianna shares insights on ASCII's 40th anniversary celebration and the ongoing event series. 

The ASCII EDGE event series includes nine events across North America, with eight in the U.S. and one in Canada. Brianna hints at exciting plans for 2025, including new locations for events. The ASCII Cup, set to take place in Tampa Bay, will be a significant celebration featuring an 80s theme and a "Back to the Future" party. 

Brianna discusses her role in planning these events and the process of selecting speakers. She emphasizes the mutual benefits for speakers and attendees, as it allows business owners to showcase their knowledge and interact with peers. 

The interview touches on Brianna's three-year tenure with ASCII and how the events compare to her previous experiences. She describes the ASCII community as a "traveling circus," highlighting the recurring cast of vendors and members across different cities. 

The conversation concludes with a tease about the upcoming ASCII Cup celebration in Tampa, promising a big and amazing event to mark the 40th anniversary. 

Key Takeaways: 

• ASCII is celebrating its 40th anniversary
• ASCII EDGE series includes 9 events across North America
• ASCII Cup in Tampa Bay will feature an 80s theme
• New event locations planned for 2025
• ASCII events provide networking opportunities for members and vendors
• Brianna Rubino has been with ASCII for 3 years as Director of Events

Links:

• ASCII Edge: https://events.ascii.com/

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

In this episode of the IT Business Podcast, Uncle Marv interviews Ann Westerheim from Ekaru at the ASCII EDGE event in Boston. Ann discusses her book "Cybersecurity for Main Street, Cyber Fit in 21 Days," which aims to simplify cybersecurity concepts for small businesses. She emphasizes the importance of basic security measures like multi-factor authentication and explains how her book has led to speaking opportunities. 

The conversation examines recent cybersecurity incidents, including the CrowdStrike update issue, and how these events raise awareness among businesses. Ann and Uncle Marv stress the importance of incident response planning and testing, as well as the need for continuous cybersecurity education.

They also discuss the challenges of convincing clients to invest in cybersecurity measures, highlighting the need to frame the conversation in terms of business risk and potential financial impact. The interview concludes with Ann sharing her experiences as an ASCII member and the benefits of attending industry events. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Simple cybersecurity measures can significantly reduce risks for small businesses
• Recent incidents highlight the importance of cybersecurity awareness and planning
• Framing cybersecurity in terms of business risk helps convince clients to invest
• Continuous education and repetition are crucial for cybersecurity awareness
• Industry events and memberships provide valuable networking and learning opportunities

Links:

• Ann's Company: https://www.ekaru.com/
• Ann's Book "Cyberseurity for Main Street": https://amzn.to/3yhxgNq
• ASCII Edge: https://events.ascii.com/

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Uncle Marv interviews Dawn Sizer at the ASCII event in Boston, marking their first in-person meeting. Dawn shares her experience speaking at the event about automation and the positive response from attendees. They discuss the challenges of remote work verification, particularly in light of deepfake technology, and explore potential solutions such as enhanced background checks and identity verification methods. 

The conversation shifts to recent vendor issues in the industry, with both acknowledging that such problems could affect any company. They also touch on the problem of remote workers using automation to fake activity, highlighting the need for better monitoring solutions. 

Dawn elaborates on the benefits of ASCII membership, which she's been part of since around 2017. She emphasizes the value of community, networking opportunities, and financial benefits such as discounts on business insurance and vendor relationships. Dawn also mentions ASCII's women's network, which provides support and business-building opportunities for women at all levels in IT organizations. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Remote work verification is becoming increasingly challenging due to deepfake technology
• Enhanced background checks and identity verification may be necessary for remote hiring
• Recent vendor issues highlight the vulnerability of all companies in the industry
• ASCII membership provides valuable community, networking, and financial benefits for MSPs
• ASCII offers a women's network for support and business-building in the IT sector

Links: 

ASCII Edge - The MSP Conference: https://events.ascii.com/

3rd Element Consulting: https://www.3rdelementconsulting.com/

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Uncle Marv welcomes Kris Shoemaker from Cavelo to discuss their data risk management platform. Cavelo positions itself under the attack surface management umbrella, offering a comprehensive solution for MSPs that includes data discovery and classification, vulnerability management, identity access management, and asset discovery. Kris explains that Cavelo's approach is data-centric, focusing on protecting a company's data and intellectual property. The platform uses agents deployed on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices to discover and classify sensitive information according to various frameworks. This allows MSPs to identify and protect their clients' "crown jewels." 

The vulnerability management module of Cavelo is highlighted as a robust solution, competing with major players in the field. Kris emphasizes that while Cavelo excels at finding and prioritizing vulnerabilities, it integrates with existing remediation tools rather than handling remediation itself. The identity access management feature is discussed, which helps identify users with access to sensitive data and tracks their activities. Cavelo integrates with both on-premises Active Directory and Office 365 tenants to provide a comprehensive view of permissions. Kris describes the onboarding process as streamlined and MSP-friendly, with easy deployment options and self-updating agents. He emphasizes that Cavelo is designed for ongoing monitoring rather than one-time assessments, though it can perform quick scans for potential new clients. 

The interview concludes with a discussion of Cavelo's position in the cybersecurity landscape. Kris positions Cavelo as a "left of boom" solution, focusing on proactive visibility and insights to help prevent or mitigate security incidents. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Cavelo offers a comprehensive data risk management platform for MSPs
• The platform focuses on data discovery, classification, vulnerability management, and identity access management
• Cavelo uses agents on various operating systems to discover and classify sensitive data
• The vulnerability management module competes with major players in the field
• Cavelo integrates with existing remediation tools rather than handling remediation itself
• The platform provides insights into user access and permissions across on-premises and cloud environments
• Cavelo positions itself as a proactive, "left of boom" solution in the cybersecurity landscape

Website: https://www.cavelo.com/

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Damon West, the keynote speaker at ASCII Edge in Boston, joins Uncle Marv to discuss his extraordinary life story. West begins by praising ASCII Edge for their exceptional client relationships and event organization. West recounts his past as a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, whose career was cut short by injury. This led to substance abuse issues, which escalated when he was introduced to methamphetamine while working as a stockbroker in Dallas. His addiction spiraled out of control, resulting in a life of crime and eventually a life sentence for organized crime. 

The turning point in West's life came in Dallas County Jail, where he met a seasoned convict named Muhammad. Muhammad shared the powerful analogy of the coffee bean, encouraging West to be like a coffee bean that changes its environment rather than being changed by it. This philosophy transformed West's outlook and behavior in prison. West describes how he became a positive influence in prison, helping others and maintaining a hopeful attitude. His transformation was so significant that after seven years, the parole board interviewed him and ultimately released him. West now lives on parole until 2073 but has become a sought-after motivational speaker and author. 

The interview touches on West's efforts to find Muhammad after his release, only to discover he had passed away. In honor of Muhammad's impact, West established a scholarship in his name for students from Muhammad's old neighborhood. West concludes by mentioning his books, including "The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change" and his autobiography "The Change Agent." 

Buy the Books!

• The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change: https://amzn.to/4djhdxr
• The Change Agent: https://amzn.to/3WfXk3s

Key Takeaways: 

• Adversity can be an opportunity for personal growth and transformation
• The power of positive thinking and hope in overcoming challenges
• The importance of being a "coffee bean" - changing your environment rather than letting it change you
• The impact of servant leadership and believing in others
• The value of education and giving back to the community

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Uncle Marv kicks off the episode by acknowledging the sponsor, SuperOps, and dives into the major news of the CrowdStrike incident. A faulty sensor configuration update from CrowdStrike led to widespread computer outages affecting about 8.5 million Windows machines globally. Marv explains how he managed client concerns and highlights the critical need for robust disaster recovery strategies and business continuity planning. 

He underscores the importance of having a comprehensive crisis response plan and testing it regularly to ensure effectiveness. Marv also praises the IT community for their rapid response and effective communication during the incident, noting the collaborative efforts across various platforms and peer groups. 

Marv shares his personal weekend ordeal with a new HP system that repeatedly blue-screened at a client's site but worked fine in his office. After troubleshooting, he discovered a faulty NVIDIA T1000 add-in card was the culprit. He also recounts the sudden resignation of a staff member, CJ, and the ensuing challenges due to the lack of communication from the client. 

The episode wraps up with Marv discussing his upcoming trip to ASCII Edge and encouraging listeners to use his Amazon affiliate link to support the podcast.

Key Takeaways

• CrowdStrike Incident: A faulty sensor configuration update caused widespread outages, emphasizing the need for robust disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Rapid Response and Communication: Effective communication and collaboration within the IT community were crucial in managing the incident.
• Personal Troubleshooting: Marv's experience with a faulty NVIDIA T1000 card highlights the challenges of diagnosing hardware issues.
• Staff Resignation: The importance of clear communication between clients and service providers was underscored by a sudden staff resignation.

Links

ASCII Edge 2024: https://events.ascii.com/

CrowdStrike Lessons: https://tinyurl.com/9esmm7ys

CrowdStrike Community Support: https://tinyurl.com/mhypna7t

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Boost MSP Efficiency with Strategy Overview

Website: https://www.strategyoverview.com/

In this episode, Uncle Marv sits down with Alex Markov to delve into Strategy Overview, a software platform tailored for MSPs to optimize their strategic planning and client management. Alex explains how the platform's powerful and flexible template engine allows MSPs to standardize their processes and save significant time. The user-friendly interface and comprehensive client portal are highlighted as key features that set Strategy Overview apart from other tools. 

The discussion also covers the platform's development history. Initially created as a spreadsheet to manage Alex's own MSP operations, it evolved into a multi-tenant product over seven years. This journey involved overcoming various challenges and continuously refining the tool based on user feedback. 

Alex and Marv explore the platform's extensive features, including QBRs, asset management, Office 365 licensing, and a ticketing system integrated with ConnectWise. They also discuss the future of Strategy Overview, particularly the integration of AI to automate tasks and further reduce the workload for MSPs. 

The episode concludes with insights into the MSP industry, the advantages of different business models, and the importance of maintaining a balance between growth and personalized customer service.

Key Takeaways

1. Unique Template Engine: Strategy Overview's template engine allows MSPs to create customized reports and standardize processes efficiently.
2. User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed with a clean and intuitive UI, enhancing user experience.
3. Comprehensive Client Portal: Clients can access their strategy, health scores, budgets, and tickets through a white-labeled portal.
4. Development Journey: The platform evolved from a spreadsheet to a sophisticated tool over seven years, driven by real-world MSP needs.
5. Future AI Integration: Plans to integrate AI aim to automate QBR prep and ticket handling, saving significant time for MSPs.
6. Industry Insights: Discussion on the benefits of different MSP business models and the trend towards boutique service providers.

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Revolutionizing SaaS Security with Overe

Website: https://www.overe.io/

In this episode, Uncle Marv welcomes Paul Barnes, co-founder and CEO of Overe, to discuss their SaaS security platform and its role in the IT Nation Pitch It Accelerator program. Overe focuses on providing automated security analysis and continuous monitoring for SaaS applications, addressing the increasing number of cloud security incidents. 

Key Highlights: 

• Introduction to Overe: Paul explains that Overe was created to address the growing need for SaaS and cloud application security. The company offers two main products: Novia Assess, a free tool for visibility and risk assessment, and Overe Protect, a comprehensive service for policy enforcement and adversarial activity response.
• Focus on Microsoft 365: Overe initially targets Microsoft 365 due to its widespread use among MSPs and their clients. The company plans to expand to other popular SaaS applications like Google Workspace.
• M365 Benchmark Audit: Overe's free assessment tool goes beyond Microsoft's security score by providing a customized score based on the client's licenses, company attributes, and security policies. It also includes dark web monitoring and MFA status checks.
• Licensing and Security: Paul discusses the challenges MSPs face in upgrading clients from basic to premium security licenses. Overe's tools help MSPs demonstrate the need for higher security levels without necessarily pushing for the expensive E5 license.
• Automated Responses: Overe's platform includes automated policy enforcement and response to adversarial activities. The system continuously monitors for policy drifts and automatically re-enforces security settings if they are altered.
• Framework Alignment: Overe's policies align with frameworks like NIST and CMMC, providing MSPs with benchmarking against industry standards.
• Unique Selling Points: Overe differentiates itself with a user-friendly setup, comprehensive threat intelligence, and integration with endpoint data to reduce false positives and provide high-confidence alerts.
• Market Strategy: While Overe is focused on MSPs, the platform is also accessible to mid-market and enterprise clients. The company is expanding its presence in the U.S., recognizing the significant market potential.
• Future Plans: Overe aims to enhance its product offerings, expand its monitoring capabilities, and strengthen its U.S. sales and distribution channels. The company is committed to supporting MSPs and attending industry events like IT Nation.

Key Takeaways

1. Overe offers innovative SaaS security solutions with automated analysis and continuous monitoring.
2. The platform initially focuses on Microsoft 365 but plans to expand to other SaaS applications.
3. Overe's tools help MSPs assess and improve client security without pushing for unnecessary high-cost licenses.
4. Automated policy enforcement and response features ensure continuous protection against security threats.
5. Overe's policies align with industry frameworks like NIST and CMMC, providing valuable benchmarking.
6. The company is expanding its presence in the U.S. and aims to support MSPs through easy-to-use tools and strategic partnerships.

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

Uncle Marv welcomes Tim Coach to discuss strategic spending in IT businesses. Tim emphasizes the importance of aligning spending with business goals and market demands. He advises against arbitrary budget cuts, instead recommending a focus on ROI and strategic investments. 

Tim highlights the significance of investing in both technology and talent. He suggests prioritizing spending on areas that directly impact customer satisfaction and business growth. Tim also discusses the need for flexibility in budgeting, allowing for adjustments as market conditions change. 

The conversation covers the challenges of balancing short-term needs with long-term investments. Tim recommends a mix of both, ensuring immediate operational needs are met while also planning for future growth. He stresses the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced IT industry. 

Tim shares strategies for maximizing ROI, including careful vendor selection, negotiation tactics, and leveraging partnerships. He also discusses the value of investing in employee training and development to enhance productivity and retention. 

The episode concludes with Tim's advice on creating a culture of strategic spending within organizations. He emphasizes the need for clear communication, alignment across departments, and regular review of spending strategies to ensure they remain effective and relevant. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Align spending with business goals and market demands
• Focus on ROI rather than arbitrary budget cuts
• Invest in both technology and talent
• Prioritize spending that impacts customer satisfaction and growth
• Maintain flexibility in budgeting to adapt to market changes
• Balance short-term needs with long-term investments
• Maximize ROI through careful vendor selection and partnerships
• Invest in employee training and development
• Create a culture of strategic spending within the organization
• Regularly review and adjust spending strategies

Links: 

• Florida Man Wrestles Alligator in Fire Station: https://youtu.be/OW9OhDvdMjA

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.

In this episode of the IT Business Podcast, host Uncle Marv interviews William Hibbard, owner of TorqueNet LLC. The two discuss Bill's journey from Air Force cyber operations officer to running his own Managed Service Provider (MSP) business. Hibbard shares insights on transitioning from a hobby to a full-fledged business, his approach to cybersecurity, and the challenges of being a solo tech. 

Bill explains how his Air Force background in information assurance prepared him for his current role, though he notes that the business aspects required separate learning. He discusses his company's evolution, including the move from Colorado to Florida, and how he maintained 80% of his customer base during the relocation. 

The conversation covers Bill's security stack, which includes tools like ThreatLocker and Huntress, and his perspective on balancing security with usability for clients. He also shares valuable advice for solo MSPs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with other local IT professionals. 

Throughout the interview, Uncle Marv and Bill reminisce about their shared past in Satellite Beach, Florida, including their time on the track team and working at McDonald's. They discuss how their hometown has produced several IT professionals and touch on upcoming reunions. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Air Force experience in cyber operations can provide a strong foundation for running an MSP
• Transitioning from hobby to business requires adapting pricing and service models
• Collaboration with other local MSPs can be beneficial for solo operators
• A robust security stack is crucial, but must be balanced with client usability
• Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies is essential in the IT industry

Website: https://torquenet.net/

=== Connect with Uncle Marv

🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
🎙 Host: Marvin Bee
🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcast

If you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.