The IT Nightmare That Almost Brought Down a Global Company - Lessons from Cepheid’s Alexey Goncharov

Tech Deep Dive

#Tech #News #Tech News #Max Clark

23:28

My guest today has been keeping us up to date with the current state of hiring for marketers on a quarterly basis, which has taken us on quite a roller coaster ride. Today we’re going to look at how marketing and communication execs are responding to the latest developments in the world while still needing to get their work done. To take a look at the latest here, I’d like to welcome back to the show Sue Keith, Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. About Sue Keith Sue Keith is Corporate Vice President at Landrum Talent Solutions. With deep expertise in navigating complex labor markets, Sue has a front-row seat to the evolving dynamics of marketing roles, hiring trends, and the broader implications of AI and economic uncertainty. RESOURCES Landrum Talent Solutions: https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. https://www.landrumtalentsolutions.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands Online Scrum Master Summit is happening June 17-19. This 3-day virtual event is open for registration. Visit www.osms25.com and get a 25% discount off Premium All-Access Passes with the code osms25agilebrand Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company…

about a year ago 1:47:11

MP3•Episode home

Imagine running a company with 10,000 employees - only to discover your IT infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. What happens next?

On this episode of Tech Deep Dive, Max Clark sits down with Alexey Goncharov, IT Leader at Cepheid, to unpack the crisis that pushed a complete IT overhaul. From network segmentation and zero trust security (ZTA) to SD-WAN and SASE, discover how Cepheid built a resilient, cloud-first infrastructure to defend against ransomware, DDoS attacks, and evolving cyber threats. Learn why identity-based security and automated network management are no longer optional—but essential.

Don’t let your IT be a ticking time bomb - get the strategies you need now!

➡️ Follow Max on his socials
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/
https://x.com/maxclark

✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom
https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom

187 episodes

The IT Nightmare That Almost Brought Down a Global Company - Lessons from Cepheid’s Alexey Goncharov

Tech Deep Dive

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Imagine running a company with 10,000 employees - only to discover your IT infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. What happens next?

Don’t let your IT be a ticking time bomb - get the strategies you need now!

➡️ Follow Max on his socials
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/
https://x.com/maxclark

✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom
https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom

187 episodes

#Tech #News #Tech News #Max Clark

All episodes

Tech Deep Dive

1
Microsoft Wants You Off Calling Plans 1:11:34

12 days ago1:11:34

1:11:34

Microsoft doesn’t just allow you to leave Calling Plans—they’ve built tools to help you do it. That’s not a glitch in the strategy. It is the strategy. In this episode, Max Clark sits down with Steve Forcum, Director of Marketing at SIPPIO, to explore the future of voice inside Microsoft Teams—and why legacy models like Cisco UC and Microsoft Calling Plans no longer fit. From the Operator Connect evolution to one school’s decision to remove 700 phones, they cover the shifting landscape of UC in real-world environments. You don’t need a desk phone to have a voice strategy. But you do need to hear this.…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The Cyberattack That Killed a Patient 1:17:30

19 days ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Could one missed alert put lives at risk? Hospitals were once worried about downtime. Now they're facing something far worse: real-world consequences when cybersecurity fails. One ransomware attack shut down a hospital—and a patient died. It was a moment that changed how healthcare leaders view risk forever. In this episode, Max Clark sits down with Eric Fromm of Trustwave to unpack the silent vulnerabilities plaguing healthcare systems, and how Temple Health made the shift from “good enough” security to fully operationalizing Microsoft E5. They dive into tool sprawl, MSSP gaps, the power of co-managed SOCs, and how to turn underutilized licenses into real protection. If you work in healthcare IT or security, this is your wake-up call. Watch now—because the next breach won’t just cost data.…

Tech Deep Dive

1
They Got Breached Mid-Merger 1:07:36

25 days ago1:07:36

1:07:36

What if the company you just bought came with a hidden cyber landmine? M&A is risky enough. But when cybersecurity gaps go unchecked during a merger, the consequences aren't just technical — they’re financial, operational, and reputational. And most leaders don’t see the breach coming until it’s too late. In this episode, Max Clark sits down with Kevin Thomsen, CRO of Maxxsure to unpack what really happens when cybersecurity is treated like a checkbox during mergers and acquisitions. They dive into risk quantification, breach modeling, insurance failures, and the dangerous disconnect between CISOs, the board, and private equity firms. If you’ve ever asked, “Are we covered?” — this is the episode you need to watch. Because it’s not just a breach. It’s a $29M mistake.…

Tech Deep Dive

1
Why Your IT Puts Your Patients at Risk 1:26:01

5 weeks ago1:26:01

1:26:01

A 20-year-old server. A forgotten backup plan. A single system crash. In healthcare, these aren’t just IT oversights — they’re threats to patient lives. From delayed treatments to data breaches, outdated tech can trigger a cascade of consequences no provider can afford. In this episode, Max Clark is joined by Dustin Young, EVP of Enzu and an expert in healthcare IT infrastructure, to explore the hidden dangers of relying on outdated technology. They discuss the rising IT costs, the burden of managing outdated systems, and how these challenges threaten patient care. You’ll learn key steps to modernize your IT, navigate cloud migration, and ensure your systems are ready for the future of healthcare. Tune in now to uncover the IT risks you may be overlooking and discover how to take control before it’s too late!…

Tech Deep Dive

1
How a Forgotten Laptop Became a Security Time Bomb 1:46:24

5 weeks ago1:46:24

1:46:24

What happens when a three-year-old laptop, long forgotten, quietly reconnects to your network? It sounds like a harmless scenario—until it isn't. In today’s digital landscape, what we forget can hurt us. Join Max Clark and guest Alexey Goncharov of Cepheid as they dive into the overlooked blind spots in enterprise security: legacy access points, directory misalignments, and the burnout cycle of patching outdated infrastructure. You’ll hear true stories from the trenches and learn why leading IT teams are adopting identity-first approaches and VPN-less architectures—even if no one’s calling it Zero Trust out loud. Tune in now before your “forgotten devices” become your biggest threat! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Let’s connect: Website: https://www.itbroker.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/maxclark Instagram: Instagram.com/maxclark X: https://x.com/maxclark…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The Cyber Gap That Paralyzed a $2B Enterprise 1:12:08

9 weeks ago1:12:08

1:12:08

3,000 apps. One entry point. Total compromise. In just hours, a $2B IT enterprise was paralyzed by ransomware, and what followed over the next 72 hours became a wake-up call for the entire industry. In this episode, Max Clark is joined by Brian Majowicz and Mac McClenathan of 11:11 Systems as they unpack a real-world ransomware attack that exposed the often-overlooked gap between disaster recovery and cyber recovery. From clean room rebuilds and digital forensics to SaaS vulnerabilities and resilience budgeting, this episode explores what it really takes to bounce back when the stakes are high and the standard playbook isn’t enough. Discover the lessons they learned the hard way and what your team can do now to avoid the same fate! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Let’s connect: Website: https://www.itbroker.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/maxclark Instagram: Instagram.com/maxclark X: https://x.com/maxclark…

Tech Deep Dive

1
How 1,500 Franchises Dodged a $10M Tech Meltdown 51:56

10 weeks ago51:56

51:56

What’s the true cost of IT chaos across a national franchise chain? Try lost transactions, reputation damage, and weeks of operational disruption. Now multiply that by 1500. In this deep-dive conversation, Max Clark is joined by Craig Collister, Sales Solutions Engineer at Spectrotel, to explore how one fractured quick service restaurant (QSR) brand turned their network disaster into a modern, scalable success. They cover the critical shift from inconsistent infrastructure to a standardized SD-WAN stack, the security blind spots that nearly cost millions, and the rollout tactics that made zero downtime a reality. It’s a masterclass in turning reactive IT into a proactive business asset. Tune in to learn what worked, what broke—and how you can avoid the same fate! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Let’s connect: Website: https://www.itbroker.com LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/maxclark Instagram: Instagram.com/maxclark X: https://x.com/maxclark…

Tech Deep Dive

1
SASE’s Hidden Loophole – Michael Ortega of CATO Networks Reveals the Biggest Threat to Businesses 1:36:37

26 weeks ago1:36:37

1:36:37

Imagine logging in tomorrow and finding your entire network compromised. That’s exactly what happened to a company that relied on outdated security. In this episode of Tech Deep Dive , Max Clark sits down with Michael Ortega, VP of Sales Engineering at CATO Networks, to expose why legacy security is failing against modern cyber threats. They break down how AI-driven attacks, ransomware, and zero-day exploits are outpacing outdated defenses and why businesses need a unified SASE solution. Discover how CATO’s cloud-native security, zero-trust access, and real-time threat detection can protect your network before it's too late. Don’t gamble with your data - get the answers now! ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The IT Nightmare That Almost Brought Down a Global Company - Lessons from Cepheid’s Alexey Goncharov 1:47:11

27 weeks ago1:47:11

1:47:11

Imagine running a company with 10,000 employees - only to discover your IT infrastructure is on the brink of collapse. What happens next? On this episode of Tech Deep Dive , Max Clark sits down with Alexey Goncharov, IT Leader at Cepheid, to unpack the crisis that pushed a complete IT overhaul. From network segmentation and zero trust security (ZTA) to SD-WAN and SASE, discover how Cepheid built a resilient, cloud-first infrastructure to defend against ransomware, DDoS attacks, and evolving cyber threats. Learn why identity-based security and automated network management are no longer optional—but essential. Don’t let your IT be a ticking time bomb - get the strategies you need now! ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The Streaming Playbook: Lessons from the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Fight – Mark Barron of Akamai Breaks It Downs 1:40:46

28 weeks ago1:40:46

1:40:46

Picture this: millions of fans, all waiting for the fight of the year - Paul vs. Tyson - only for the stream to crash. What does it take to deliver a flawless, high-stakes live event without a second of downtime? In this episode, Max Clark sits down with Mark Barron, Principal Solutions Engineer - Digital Media at Akamai Technologies as he pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of live streaming - where even a millisecond of lag can cost millions. From cutting-edge CDNs to real-time edge computing, discover the tech that makes or breaks record-breaking events. Can today’s tech really handle the next wave of record-breaking live streams? Let’s find out! ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
10,000 Songs in Your Pocket: Apple’s Billion-Dollar Sales Hack 6:18

33 weeks ago6:18

6:18

What grabs your attention more—“64GB of storage” or “10,000 songs in your pocket”? If you’re still selling tech with numbers and specs, you’re leaving money on the table and losing deals before the conversation even starts. In this episode, Max Clark breaks down Apple’s legendary “10,000 songs in your pocket” strategy—the marketing genius that turned a simple MP3 player into a billion-dollar product. Discover why feature-based selling is outdated, how to position your tech in a way that buyers actually understand, and the secret to making your product an obvious “yes.” Your tech is great—now it’s time to sell it the right way! Tune in now to discover the sales shift that changes everything! *** Billions & Billions of eyeballs, six continents, 10k+ servers, and plenty of lessons learned over 2+ decades in I.T. If you're looking for quick tips on optimizing tech, managing suppliers, and growing a business, 20 Minutes Max is the space for you. Here, I talk about things that come up during my day and share insights on taking your business to the next level. In less than 20 minutes, you'll walk away with actionable advice and strategies for success. Take advantage of this valuable resource for CEOs, CFOs, and business leaders. *** P.S. Did you like the show? New episodes will be released weekly, so please subscribe and stay up-to-date! *** ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The One Strategy That Guarantees You Win Every Tech Deal 11:53

33 weeks ago11:53

11:53

You've been selling tech completely wrong! Most sales reps pitch products, rattle off features, and hope the client bites. But the truth is—buyers don’t care about your tech. They care about solving their problems. And if you’re not selling the solution to their pain, you’re already losing deals. Max Clark breaks down the one strategy that guarantees you win more deals, faster. Learn how to speak the language of business pain, sell compliance and risk instead of products, and position your tech as an urgent need—not just another option. If your sales aren’t closing as fast as they should, this episode is for you. This isn’t just another sales tip—it’s a game-changer. Tune in now and start selling the way clients actually buy! *** Billions & Billions of eyeballs, six continents, 10k+ servers, and plenty of lessons learned over 2+ decades in I.T. If you're looking for quick tips on optimizing tech, managing suppliers, and growing a business, 20 Minutes Max is the space for you. Here, I talk about things that come up during my day and share insights on taking your business to the next level. In less than 20 minutes, you'll walk away with actionable advice and strategies for success. Take advantage of this valuable resource for CEOs, CFOs, and business leaders. *** P.S. Did you like the show? New episodes will be released weekly, so please subscribe and stay up-to-date! *** Website: www.itbroker.com ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
E5, SIEM & MDR: Cutting Through the Costs Without Compromising Security 8:14

34 weeks ago8:14

8:14

You turned on Microsoft E5 security—now what? You expected airtight protection, but now you’re staring at skyrocketing SIEM costs, overwhelming configurations, and lingering security gaps. The worst part? You’re not even sure if you’re fully protected. Max Clark uncovers why SIEM bills often surprise businesses, how MDR vendors shift costs onto customers, and why enabling Microsoft E5 isn’t the security silver bullet it seems. Learn how to strategically balance security layers, optimize licensing costs, and avoid paying for tools that don’t serve your needs. Smart security isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending right. Tune in now to make informed decisions and take control of your cybersecurity strategy! You can also listen on your favorite podcast: https://www.20minutesmax.com/107 *** Billions & Billions of eyeballs, six continents, 10k+ servers, and plenty of lessons learned over 2+ decades in I.T. If you're looking for quick tips on optimizing tech, managing suppliers, and growing a business, 20 Minutes Max is the space for you. Here, I talk about things that come up during my day and share insights on taking your business to the next level. In less than 20 minutes, you'll walk away with actionable advice and strategies for success. Take advantage of this valuable resource for CEOs, CFOs, and business leaders. *** P.S. Did you like the show? New episodes will be released weekly, so please subscribe and stay up-to-date! *** Website: www.itbroker.com ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
TierPoint’s Tara Kovaleski Exposes the Disaster Recovery Flaws That Are Costing Companies Millions 1:05:03

34 weeks ago1:05:03

1:05:03

What if your entire business went offline right now? One company found out the hard way that 75% of their critical applications were unrecoverable in a disaster. In this episode, Max Clark sits down with Tara Kovaleski of TierPoint to expose the hidden flaws in disaster recovery strategies that could cost businesses millions. They break down why outdated recovery plans fail, the risks of relying on untested backups, and how to implement a BCDR strategy that actually works. Discover how Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), failover testing, RTO/RPO optimization, and cloud-based solutions can safeguard your critical infrastructure. Don’t wait for a crisis to learn the lesson - tune in now! **** 🌐 Let's connect: Website: www.itbroker.com ➡️ Follow Max on his socials https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxclark/ https://x.com/maxclark ✅ Stay updated on the latest from ITBroker.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/itbrokerdotcom https://x.com/ITBrokerdotcom…

Tech Deep Dive

1
The Cybersecurity Gaps That Could Deny Your Business Insurance Coverage 6:55

34 weeks ago6:55