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Vancord CyberSound Podcast

Protect your business with tips & tactics from our IT security experts

CyberSound podcast
CyberSoundTM is a podcast built by and for business owners and professionals. Tune in as our cybersecurity experts cover the latest news regarding IT security, the most recent and relevant threats organizations are facing today, and provide tips to keep your business safe.

Where to Listen to CyberSoundTM

Enter Giveaway to Celebrate our 100th CyberSound Episode!

Learn how we work together with our clients to manage, defend, and respond to their infrastructure needs.

Most Recent Episode

120

2025 E-Rate Insights: Policy Updates & School Funding Opportunities with Joe Pillo

In this episode of CyberSound, Jason Pufahl, Michael Grande, and E-Rate expert Joe Pillo from E-Rate First dive into the evolving landscape of E-Rate funding as the 2025 application season kicks off. This $7.2 billion federal program continues to play a crucial role in helping schools and libraries nationwide enhance technology and expand internet access.
Discover how E-Rate empowers eligible organizations to unlock funding opportunities, improve digital infrastructure, and provide equitable access for students and communities. Whether you’re new to the program or looking for expert advice on navigating its complex rules, this episode delivers actionable insights to help schools and libraries maximize their benefits in 2025 and beyond.

Meet the Hosts of CyberSoundTM

CyberSoundTM is hosted by cybersecurity professionals who work in the industry on a daily basis. Meet Vancord’s Jason Pufahl, Steven Maresca, and Matt Fusaro.
Jason Pufahl
VP Security Services
Steven Maresca

Principal Architect, vISO

Matt Fusaro

Security Services Director

Most Recent Episodes

PODCAST EPISODE 80
Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements are shaping the digital world at a revolutionary pace. From ChatGPT and image generators to solving ransomware attacks and providing curated learning, AI has demonstrated many positive usages. However, there are motivators to slow this process down, with concerns surrounding the potential threats artificial intelligence may pose.
In this episode, the CyberSound team addresses incoming AI tools, reviews how the population will likely navigate them, and have an open dialogue on their feelings towards this actively developing software.
PODCAST EPISODE 79
Just this year, North Dakota passed House Bill No.1398, becoming the first state in the country to require cybersecurity education in K-12 schools.
Today, Jason, Matt, and Steve discuss the specific curricula put in place, explain how programs can be tailored to younger audiences, and stress that this kind of education is just as important as other core subjects. Tune in to explore this new law that is leading change in cybersecurity.
PODCAST EPISODE 78
Numerous states have placed a formal ban on the use of the popular social media platform TikTok, leaving users to question its safety surrounding data and asset privacy.
Today, Jason, Steve, and Matt discuss the restrictions, current threat model, and perceived threats in hopes of easing some concerns. The team encourages being proactive and protecting your data before worrying about platforms accessing it.
PODCAST EPISODE 77
Last month, the Vancord team attended the NorthEast Regional Computing Program (NERCOMP) Conference, which annually brings together individuals in IT and higher education. From ransomware concerns to heightening security awareness and meeting compliance deadlines, many productive conversations took place.
Tune in as Jason and Steve sit down with Krystal Racine, Account Executive at Vancord, to playback a few interview clips from NERCOMP of attendees' cybersecurity experiences.
PODCAST EPISODE 76
A data breach has occurred in your organization– what now? Who do I legally have to notify? What types of data require notification? There are many influencing factors in state data breach laws that organizations must consider regarding discloser requirements.
Today on Cybersound, Jason, Steve, and Matt are joined by Vancord’s Data Privacy Consultant, Rob McWilliams, to discuss the overall message: If you are equipped to respond properly to incidents, you should seek guidance to meet your regulatory obligations.
PODCAST EPISODE 75
As cyber threats increase, so does the importance of keeping your critical infrastructure systems secure. Inventorying your operational technology (OT), being aware of the risk, and implementing cybersecurity best practices are ways to maintain and assess these devices.
Today, Jason, Matt, and Steve address these fundamental issues and guide you on where your organization needs to be when protecting your infrastructure.
PODCAST EPISODE 74
The Connecticut Data Privacy Act (or “CTDPA”) is going into effect on July 1, 2023, making Connecticut the fifth state to pass a comprehensive data privacy law that protects consumers. How will this new law impact your organization, and are there any obligations you should know?
On today’s episode of CyberSound, Jason, and Steve talk with Rob McWilliams, Data Privacy Consultant at Vancord, to educate listeners on what this law means. Read more on the CTDPA here.
PODCAST EPISODE 73
Over the past few years, supply chain issues have significantly impacted the IT industry. From extensive lead times to unfulfillable hardware needs, it is more important than ever to understand the risk, ensure you have a supply chain strategy in place and plan early and often.
Tune in as Jason Pufahl, and Matt Fusaro sit down with Daniel Kaupp, Vice President of Professional Services, to discuss how Vancord has overcome some of these issues and provide recommendations for organizations to get around these kinks. Read more in Dan’s article here.
PODCAST EPISODE 72
Microsoft is continuously developing its stack of security capabilities and staying innovative in the cloud space.
Today, the team at Vancord is proud to announce a proactive approach they have adopted, utilizing Microsoft Azure Cloud to better manage clients' data. Vantage Protect is a suite of services provided by Vancord's expert engineers that maximizes the performance and reliability of security systems in an automated fashion. Learn more about Vantage Protect today.
PODCAST EPISODE 71
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is an emerging phenomenon in the cybersecurity space. However, as Artificial Intelligence technology advances, so does the potential for misuse. From generating phishing emails to disrupting the academic environment for youth, ChatGPT can have different impacts, and it is critical to practice appropriate usage.
Today, the team at CyberSound share their thoughts with listeners on the emergence of this AI software, as well as read a script generated by ChatGPT itself.

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