From the Desk of Jason Conkling, Cybersecurity Manager & Technical Lead
When I visit a site for an evaluation, my ‘fresh eyes’ are one of my greatest strengths. As an outsider who has worked with dozens of similar operations, I am in an ideal position to spot issues that the operations team might have overlooked. Of course, I’m not just looking for what’s working well and what isn’t. I’m there to understand the full picture — how the systems fit together, how decisions are being made, and where gaps in visibility could turn into risks down the line.
It’s easy, especially when you’re close to the process every day, to get used to the way things are. The network map might live in someone’s head. The equipment might have been patched together over the years with whatever was on hand. People make it work — because they must. But that’s also how hidden issues build up quietly, unnoticed until they cause real problems.
The value of an outside evaluation isn’t just about finding the flaws. It’s about asking the right questions. What happens if this system goes down? How quickly could you recover? Are you relying on assumptions about your infrastructure that might not hold up under pressure?
When I walk through an environment, I’m thinking about all the layers: the technical setup, the operational demands, the business drivers behind it. I’m thinking about how the choices being made today could impact the team’s ability to scale, stay compliant, or recover from an unexpected event tomorrow.
That’s why the deliverables we provide aren’t just a punch list of issues. They’re a roadmap — a clear picture of what we saw, where the biggest risks are, and the practical steps that can help close the gaps. Sometimes that means updated network diagrams or results from security scans. Other times, it’s identifying replacement parts for aging equipment or helping shape a long-term plan for scaling the infrastructure. The specifics vary, but the purpose stays the same: to help you make informed decisions with a complete, objective view of your environment.
Because spotting the problems is only part of the job. The real value comes from understanding why those problems matter — and what to do about them. Whether you walk away with a list of next steps or simply the validation that things are on the right track, there’s peace of mind in knowing nothing’s hiding in plain sight. A second set of eyes can bring just enough distance to see the full picture — and that clarity makes all the difference when you’re planning what’s next.
