Author: Eric Coffie

In today’s episode of The Daily Wind Up, we have Former DoD Cyber Crime Director Jeff Stutzman who talks about the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses. He highlights the various risks that businesses face and the standard architecture used to combat these risks. Jeff emphasizes the need to have firewalls and endpoints, training, email protection, and incident response capabilities to safeguard businesses.

He goes on to discuss how small businesses can have affordable cybersecurity solutions. One of his suggestions is using next-generation firewalls with a lot of functionality built-in, such as cloud functionality, DNS filtering, and anti-malware. Jeff explains that these firewalls have a total cost of ownership that is really good and that small businesses can obtain them for roughly $2,000. Listen to this episode now to learn how you can keep your business safe and secured!

In this episode of The Daily Wind Up, we dive into the challenges and lessons learned by Austin Tsosie in the federal contracting industry. Auston shares his experience of starting a small business and the hurdles he faced along the way. From attending conferences to building past performance and landing contracts, he recounts the importance of confidence in navigating the intimidating federal space.

Join us in this insightful episode as we emphasizes the significance of confidence and resilience when starting a small business in the federal contracting arena. Austin’s story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, reminding them that mistakes are an inevitable part of the journey and can ultimately lead to growth and success.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we delve into the experiences of military spouses and the unique challenges they face while pursuing careers. Our guest speaker, Chrissy Farrington, a military spouse herself, shares her journey of joining a veteran-owned business and finding a work-life balance amidst frequent relocations and military life demands.

The episode highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of military life and how veteran-owned businesses and organizations with military-experienced staff can provide valuable support. We also touch on the advantages military families have, including comprehensive healthcare and access to resources like free LinkedIn Premium through programs like Military One Source.

Join us in this insightful episode as we celebrate the strength and determination of military spouses and explore ways to empower them in their professional pursuits.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, my guest Ronnette Myers shares a powerful personal story of her weight loss journey. She opens up about her struggles with weight since childhood and how it impacted her confidence and health. After a significant incident involving her knees, she decided to make a change. With the support of a personal trainer and a community of women, she set a goal to lose 50 pounds before turning 50. On her 50th birthday, she achieved her goal, but she didn’t stop there. She continued her journey, losing 25 more pounds and aiming to lose another 25.

Ronnette discusses the challenges she faced, including controlling her eating habits and reducing sugar intake. Additionally, she shares her experience with a 10-day green smoothie cleanse that helped her lose 16 pounds. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining her progress and incorporates regular walking and running into her routine.

Let’s shake things up a bit and join us in this inspiring conversation about overcoming obstacles, finding motivation, and prioritizing personal health.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, we delve into a gripping story of a high-stakes ransomware attack that unfolded four years ago. Jeff Stutzman, shares his firsthand experience of being called to Houston to handle a massive ransomware attack on a three and a half billion dollar company. The situation was dire, with only three days remaining before the attackers would cause irreversible damage. Jeff takes charge and guides the CEO and chief security officer through the complex negotiations and payments. 

Additionally, Jeff expresses his concern about the growing threat of ransomware attacks and the potential for a large-scale incident. He emphasizes the need for heightened cybersecurity measures and discusses the vulnerabilities exposed by the staggering number of open ports in Ukraine and the United States. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies in today’s interconnected world.

Don’t miss this episode of The Daily Windup as Jeff recounts his harrowing encounter with ransomware and offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

In this episode of The Daily Windup, host Eric Coffie dives into a captivating story of leadership and organizational transformation. Starting with an unexpected turn of events, Austin Tsosie recounts how he found himself taking on the role of CEO after the turbulent times experienced by DDC IT Services. As the holding company, Nova Corporation, underwent a transformative phase, Austin faced the challenge of aligning subsidiaries and implementing a competitive strategy to overcome revenue loss and ensure future growth.

We explore the critical importance of early strategic planning, highlighting the “cliff” phenomenon that companies face when exiting programs and the need to establish competitive strategies beforehand. Austin also emphasizes the significance of the Navajo heart, expressing the journey of infusing tribal identity into the organization and fostering connections with various stakeholders, including the Navajo Nation government, military personnel, contracting offices, and internal subsidiaries. The creation of a robust governance model, incorporating audits, processes, policies, authority matrices, and ethical guidelines, further exemplifies the commitment to excellence and economic development.

Tune in now as we unravel the remarkable story of Austin’s journey from unexpected leadership to building the Navajo heart, showcasing the power of vision, adaptability, and collaboration in organizational success.

In this episode we dive into the challenges and opportunities within the government procurement process with Chrissy Farrington, a military spouse and senior proposal specialist at H2L solutions. We begin by highlighting the slow and often disconnected solicitation process, where there is a lack of clarity on both sides: what the government agencies want and what the businesses can provide.

In today’s episode, we discuss the chronic issues observed, such as miscommunication, misconceptions, and the detrimental effects of delays and cancellations. We explore the importance of understanding the nuances within specialized fields like cybersecurity and engineering, emphasizing that assumptions about uniformity can hinder progress. Listen as we discuss the need for a more responsive and efficient procurement process, bridging the gap between government needs and innovative solutions.

In today’s episode we delve into the complexities of managing employee performance and the difficult decision of firing someone. Reflecting on personal experiences, Ronnette Meyers, President/CEO of JLAN Solutions, recounts a poignant moment when she had to let go of an employee due to their consistent lateness and failure to communicate sick leave. He discusses the emotional impact of such actions, recognizing the ripple effects on the individual’s livelihood and the company’s reputation. Drawing from recent experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive work environment and meeting customer needs to uphold the organization’s image.

Engaging in a conversation about the hiring process, Ronnette admits to occasionally misjudging a candidate’s suitability despite reference checks. She highlights the significance of character, passion, and relevant skills in assessing potential employees. Listen in this episode now to learn more!

In this episode we discuss the alarming potential of cyber warfare and its unintended consequences with the Former DoD Cyber Crime Director Jeff Stutzman. Jeff highlighted the vulnerability of surveillance systems and physical security protection due to outdated firmware and neglectful maintenance, emphasizing the critical need for constant vigilance in safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Jeff urges listeners, particularly small defense contractors and businesses, to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, two-factor authentication, and email protection, to mitigate risks in the face of a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. Listen now to learn more!