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 preemptin…

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 im…

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…

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 insight…

Mastering Technology Evaluations: Insights for IT Executives In this episode of 'Off The Wire,' IT executives Tanner and Anthony delve into the intricacies of technology evaluations, covering both hardware and software. With 35 years of combined experience, they discuss the importance of starting with the 'why,' involving the right people, and the …

Mastering Strategic Tech Planning: Communicating with Leadership Effectively In this episode of 'Off the Wire,' we dive deep into the essential topic of strategic technology planning and the importance of effectively communicating these plans to CEOs, executive leaders, and board members. Hosts Anthony and Tanner discuss their personal experiences …

Mastering IT Project Management: Tips and Tools for Success Welcome to Off the Wire, the podcast dedicated to helping you manage cybersecurity risks and tackle technology challenges. In this episode, hosts Tanner and Anthony dive deep into the world of project management, specifically IT project management. They begin by recounting their experience…

Building a Lasting Security Culture in Your Organization In this episode, hosts Tanner and Anthony, sit down with special guest Fletus Poston, a senior manager of security operations at CrashPlan, to discuss the creation and sustainment of a strong security culture within an organization. Fletus shares his extensive cybersecurity experience and emp…

Protecting Operational Technology Systems: Tips, Tricks, and Insights In this episode of Off the Wire, Tanner and Anthony dive deep into the world of operational technology (OT) systems, discussing what they are, their importance in various industries, and how to protect them effectively. The duo covers the significance of reliable hardware and sof…

Off the Wire: Exploring Tech Hardware Refreshes and Efficient Setups Join Anthony and Tanner in this insightful episode of Off the Wire as they discuss their philosophies on tech hardware, life cycles, and share their experiences with new tech devices. Whether it's choosing between desktops, laptops, iPads, smartphones, or even drones, Anthony and …

VMware vs. Nutanix: Making the Right Virtualization Choice for Your Business In this episode of 'Off the Wire,' we dive into a major decision facing businesses of all sizes: should you continue using VMware or explore alternatives like Nutanix? With VMware's recent acquisition by Broadcom and subsequent pricing changes, enterprises are re-evaluatin…

Off The Wire: 2024 Tech and Cybersecurity Year in Review & 2025 Predictions In this episode of Off The Wire, hosts Anthony and Tanner cover a detailed review of 2024, focusing on significant advancements and incidents in technology and cybersecurity. They discuss notable headlines like the global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike, the Salt Typhoon in…

Critical Alerts in Cybersecurity: Best Practices to Avoid Alert Fatigue | Off The Wire Podcast Welcome to Off The Wire, the podcast that helps you curb cybersecurity risks and tackle technology challenges. In this episode, IT executives Tanner and Anthony share insights on effective alert systems in cybersecurity. Drawing from their combined 35 yea…

Mastering Microsoft 365: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices In Episode 28 of the 'Off the Wire' podcast, hosts Tanner and Anthony delve into Microsoft 365 (Office 365), offering a comprehensive guide on migrating, optimizing, and securing the suite. The episode covers essential aspects like hybrid architecture configurations, licensing tiers, and the…

Cloud Dreams vs. On-Prem Realities | Episode 27 In this episode of 'Off The Wire,' hosts Anthony and Tanner tackle the ongoing debate between cloud and on-premise solutions: 'Cloud Dreams vs. On-Prem Realities.' They discuss myths, pros, and cons of each, share their experiences, and delve into specific scenarios and examples, such as cost implicat…

Mastering Customer Service in IT: Strategies and Best Practices In this episode, we dive into the importance of customer service within IT departments, emphasizing its crucial role in driving innovation and improving user satisfaction. We discuss how IT professionals can develop and hone their customer service skills, the importance of effective hi…

In this comprehensive episode, we explore critical aspects of managing IT security, focusing on Active Directory audits, password hygiene, and privilege management. We share practical strategies for conducting thorough security audits, managing group policies, and ensuring effective password practices using tools like CrowdStrike and Microsoft Azur…

Crisis Management: Lessons from Hurricane Helene In this episode of Off the Wire, hosts Anthony and Tanner discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene on regions like Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, focusing on technological challenges and solutions. Tanner, from Blue Ridge Energy, shares insights into infrastructure resilience and the imp…

In Episode 23 of Off The Wire, Tanner and Anthony, two seasoned IT executives, delve into IT budgeting. They discuss their experiences, tips, and strategies for creating effective technology budgets, emphasizing the importance of aligning budgets with strategic plans. The episode covers auditing existing technology stacks, communicating with stakeh…

Integrating ChatGPT: Your Newest Cyber Team Member In this episode of 'Off the Wire,' Anthony and Tanner explore the impact of ChatGPT on the cybersecurity field. With a combined 35 years of experience, they discuss harnessing ChatGPT to enhance cybersecurity measures and tackle modern technology challenges. They delve into ways ChatGPT can assist,…

- Hosts: Anthony and Tanner, IT executives with 35 years of combined experience.- Episode Title: One Password to Rule Them All: The Case for Password Managers in the Enterprise.- Overview: Discussing the importance and benefits of password managers in the enterprise, sparked by personal experiences. Segment 1: The Need for Password Managers Problem…

**Introduction**- **Welcome Back:** Recap of the podcast’s focus on cybersecurity risk and technology challenges.- **Hosts’ Background:** Brief intro of Anthony and Tanner.- **Guest Introduction:** Anthony introduces Patrick Kelley from Leargas Security and Critical Path Security, who spoke about mental health at a recent cybersecurity conference. …

Tools Referenced: Free SPF/DKIM/DMARC analyzer tools for DMARC setup - DMARCLY Learn and Test DMARC (learndmarc.com) DMARC Check Tool - Domain Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance Lookup - MxToolBox **Introduction:** **Welcome & Hosts Introduction:** - “Welcome back to Off The Wire, the podcast that helps you curb cybersecurity risks and …

Podcast Outline: "Off the Wire" Episode Intro: Welcome back to "Off the Wire," the podcast helping you curb cybersecurity risks and tackle technology challenges. Hosts: Tanner and Anthony, IT executives with a combined 35 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. Teaser for Episode 20: Upcoming giveaway in two weeks—details to come. Main Topic: …

Introduction: - Welcome back to a bonus episode of Off the Wire.- Highlight of the week: a bad patch pushed out by CrowdStrike caused worldwide outages. Initial Impact: - Anthony's experience: dealing with server and workstation blue screens.- Timeline of the incident: starting at 12:09 AM with alerts coming in around 12:40 AM.- Initial thoughts an…

Introduction: Host Introduction: Tanner Greer and Anthony Kent, two IT executives with 35 years of combined experience in the IT field, specializing in cybersecurity. Episode Overview: Discussion on Zero Trust security. Segment 1: Conference Recap Anthony's recent attendance at the IT conference for South Carolina co-ops. Key takeaway: Importance o…

Introduction Welcome to the Show: Greet listeners and introduce the podcast name. Briefly describe the purpose of the podcast and what listeners can expect. Hosts Introduction: Anthony and Tanner, two IT executives with a combined 35 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. Background on their roles and the companies they lead. Brief mention of…

Podcast Episode Show Notes: Importance of Incident Response Plans (IRPs) Episode Highlights: Rising Cybersecurity Threats:Discussing the increasing threat levels and the growing importance of cybersecurity. Incident Response Plans (IRPs): Why IRPs are essential and how they serve as a playbook during cyber incidents. Key Topics Covered: Need for IR…

## Off The Wire Podcast Show Notes ### Episode: Backups and Data Recovery with Brian Williams from Rubrik **Guest:** Brian Williams, Rubrik **Location:** NCLGISA Conference 2024, Downtown Wilmington ### Key Topics Discussed #### Importance of Backups - **Personal Anecdote:** Anthony shares advice from his mentor on the importance of backups. - **Mo…

**Podcast Episode Summary: Off the Wire - Cybersecurity Insights from the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report** **Hosts:** Anthony Kent and Tanner Greer **Episode Overview:** In this episode of Off the Wire, hosts Anthony Kent and Tanner Greer dive deep into the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). With their combined 3…

## Off the Wire Podcast Show Notes ### Episode Summary Welcome to the Off the Wire podcast, your go-to source for insights into the fast-paced world of cybersecurity and technology. This episode features a new co-host, Tanner Greer, who joins Anthony Kent to discuss a critical topic: what happens when users work from home. ### Key Topics Covered 1.…

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of cybersecurity with the Center for Internet Security (CIS). As a community-driven nonprofit, CIS is responsible for establishing the CIS Controls® and CIS Benchmarks™, globally recognized best practices for securing IT systems and data. Discover how CIS supports the cyber threat prevention, prote…

In Episode 12 of our podcast series, we delve into the world of cybersecurity, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks of implementing vendor access solutions. We kick off by exploring the pros of enhancing cybersecurity measures. From fortified security protocols to streamlined centralized management and strict compliance adherence, we uncover how …

In this episode, we dive deep into the fundamental practices necessary for safeguarding your organization's digital infrastructure. Join us as we explore crucial topics such as patch management, application control, vulnerability scanning, and the principle of least privilege. With insights gleaned from years of experience in protecting sensitive n…

Summary of Podcast Notes: Introduction: - The podcast welcomes listeners with a brief introduction to the episode. - The episode overview discusses the future of the IT Manager role. Main Content: - The role of IT Managers is explored, detailing responsibilities such as overseeing IT systems, managing personnel, training, budget management, and day…

Broadcom's acquisition of VMware has created uncertainty among many, leading some to explore alternatives. Broadcom has shifted from perpetual licensing to a subscription model, with significant price increases. Layoffs have occurred, and the company plans to divest some assets. VMware partner agreements are being canceled, requiring reapplication …

In the latest episode of our insightful podcast series, we tackled a hot-button issue in the realm of Operational Technology (OT) security: the role of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. This episode, "To EDR or Not to EDR: A Clash of Views in OT Security," features our own Jon and Anthony diving deep into the contentious debate, offeri…

Discover the inspiring journey of KIKrr's co-founders, Mariana Padilla and Craig Ellrod, in Episode 7 of the Off the Wire podcast, "Introducing KIKrr and the HACKERverse." Dive into Mariana's transition from non-profit work to leading KIKrr, as she demystifies cybersecurity for businesses. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in tech…

In November 2021, Delta-Montrose Electric Association faced a cyber-attack that tested their limits. Now, hear the gripping behind-the-scenes story in our latest interview with CIO, Bob Farmer. ️ Exclusive Insights: ️ Inside the Attack: The critical moments and decisions Turning Point: Strategies that turned the tide Team Effort: How collaboration …

In this enlightening episode of “Off the Wire,” Anthony and Jon sit down with Eric Braxton, a award-winning leader in the cybersecurity field, specializing in the energy sector. Eric brings his extensive experience and a unique perspective to the discussion, sharing insights from his journey in cybersecurity. Key Points Discussed: Eric’s Path in Cy…

In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the intricacies of ChatGPT and its impact on the cooperative workplace. We weigh the pros and cons of integrating this advanced AI technology, exploring its potential as both a tool and a challenge in electric cooperative environments. Highlights: Pros of ChatGPT: Described as a virtual personal assi…

Episode Highlights: Defining Geoblocking: Learn about the mechanisms that allow for regional blocking and how it can be applied in real-world settings. The Good, The Bad, and The VPN: While geoblocking can fortify your network security, it’s not without its downsides—such as easily being bypassed by VPNs and potentially alienating customers. Real-L…

In this riveting episode of Off the Wire, hosts Jon Watkins and Anthony Kent delve into the controversial world of password rotation—should you change your passwords regularly or stick with what you know? We kick things off by exploring why the traditional advice has been to change passwords frequently and what experts like NIST and Microsoft have …

️ Exciting News: Off the Wire Podcast is LIVE! ️ We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast, Off the Wire, hosted by Jon Watkins and Anthony Kent! Season 1, Episode 1: Phish or Foe? In this inaugural episode, we dive deep into the world of phishing simulations. We explore the pros and cons, and discuss whether they are a necess…