Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Bad Guys are Getting Badder, Faster then the Good Guys are Getting Gooder!

“Nothing has happened to my network, computer, or email yet, so most likely nothing will happen!”  That phrase is one I hear people make all the time.  Is that something you might say?


If you said “Yes,” then I guess you might also live by “The Odds.”  Are you a gambler?  Would you gamble your business or livelihood away?


At DCS Netlink, we don’t live by “The Odds.”  We don’t gamble when it comes to computer, network or Internet security.  The reason:  the odds are not in any person’s favor when it comes to computer, network or Internet security.  There are lots of explanations on why that is true.  


Think about these it:
  1. You are most likely a smartphone or computer user.  You are not an IT expert or even less likely to know about IT security.  Do you agree?
  2. Like most people, we are HUMAN and we don’t like change.  So, you might ask, “Why do I need to add extra security when I haven’t needed it so far?  Fair question.  Do you agree?
  3. There are lots of explanations, but there is one more…...that is security stuff is TOO expensive!  So, what most people think is that adding security also adds costs, and you want to be responsible with your money, right?  WRONG!  Your reputation in business has more value than a dollar amount.  Once you become a victim, your reputation will suffer and most likely your business will suffer, and that may translate to dollars in the end.


So, what should you do about your computer, network and Internet Security?
  1. Change your  beliefs about the BAD guys!  You need to believe that they are working hard to take you down and many of those users around you.  If you don’t believe that, then you have already most likely lost the battle.  In this day and age of the Internet of Things, the risks, vulnerabilities, and threats are increasing at an ever alarming rate and with greater consequences!  Do you agree?
  2. Find a company that will look out for your best interests, and not give you answer or propose a solution with the least cost.  Getting the right solution is more important!
  3. Partner with a computer, network and Internet Security company that has done background investigations on each and all of their employees.  After all, these engineers and technicians will most likely see some of your most confidential information in the scope of carrying out their duties.
  4. Hire a company that has gone through at least some semblance of security training on firewalls, and Internet Security.  Most IT companies do not have any formal training and/or certifications as a testimonial to their legitimacy in carrying out their duties.

So, that is the nitty gritty of IT!  If you want to know more and would like a network assessment and/or a security assessment, give us a call.  We would be happy to help coach you to a stronger and more secure future….after all, your business and reputation depend on IT!  Visit us at www.dcsnetlink.com or call 877-327-6385.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Accountability - What's that? And, why should I care?


Accountability....What is that?

Uh Oh!!  Another thing to add to my ToDo List.  I can't keep up now, so how can I manage accountability?  Every hear yourself say or ask something similar in your own life?

This is the reaction to interesting questions almost every leader has made in this day and age.  In reality, the real questions need to be, "How do I lead and manage with accountability?"  Why is it important and why is it important to me and the health of the organization, company and/or family that I lead?

When I am teaching, training, and coaching WatchGuard firewalls, VPNs, and Internet Security, the subject of trust and accountability comes up every time.  So many organizations, companies, and people have come to me in the last 6 months and without directly using the word "accountability," they were very concerned about things going on in their organization.  Think about it...trust can't develop to healthy levels if no one can be trusted to perform and execute on time when promised.  That is why we need accountability.

Leaders at all levels at one time believed that their people and teams were doing the right thing, but they may not have addressed accountability, nor did they "front load" accountability with the job description and expectation.  So now they are finding out that without the accountability, stuff never got done, or managed or executed on time.  That is generally what leads to disappointment and miscommunication in the end, which then keeps a "culture of ownership" from developing.

All of those things that concerned these leaders really referred back to what we call accountability.  That is a big word, and has HUGE implications for the health and vitality of every organization, company, family and person.  Every leader needs to be very good at inserting accountability into their personal lives to grow and develop healthy trusting relationships with themselves, their family, and their companies...and no, it does not mean discipline...it is so much more than that.  Furthermore, they need to "front load" the accountability and expectations up front before the journey or task even starts.  Don't wait until the task is done or the event is over to think about accountability.  Building accountability and building it in pre-loaded beforehand is the tough stuff that great organizations and strong leaders know best and act on.

In this link to Lee Ellis' part 1 of his 6 part blog series on Accountability, he talks about:  Leaders and Accountability.

Lee says, "Even thought there are 14 lessons in my book, Leading with Honor, three foundational attributes rise to the top - character, courage, and competency.  To put it another way, the best leaders push through their selfishness and fear to skillfully do the right thing even when it's painful.  And part of doing the right thing is being accountable for one's actions."

To read more on the tough subject of accountability and why it is critical to healthy relationships in every person's life, visit Lee's blog at:

On Leaders and Accountability:  Notes from the Cliff - Lee Ellis on Leading with Honor

Until next time, "Keep leading with Character First." - Dane