News stories about the latest security threats often sound alarming to the non-technical staff in an organization, but not every headline is cause for concern. And not every vulnerability is relevant to your organization.
So who helps your team make that distinction? Who steps in to say, “Yes, we know about this. And no, it doesn’t affect us”?
For many of our clients, that's FireOak Strategies.
A Familiar Scenario
Recently, a widely reported vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint made national news. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI both released statements about the issue, which allowed unauthorized access to SharePoint servers under certain conditions.
A staff member at one of our clients saw the story and reached out to ask if their organization was affected by this.
We were already tracking the technical details, monitoring vendor guidance, and knew immediately that this particular vulnerability only impacted organizations using on-premise SharePoint servers, not the cloud-based Microsoft 365 environment our client uses.
As their fractional CIO (fCIO), we were able to quickly respond and let them know that they were on top of the situation and that the organization was not affected.
In addition to responding to the staff member who contacted us, we recommended posting a message to the organization’s intranet so other staff members who might see the same headlines would hear the same clear guidance: There’s no action needed. You’re safe. It’s covered.
In fact, we were faster at reassuring staff than the organization's managed service provider.
Why This Matters
Cybersecurity often feels overwhelming. In the absence of clear communication, uncertainty can spread quicky. That’s why it’s critical to have someone on your team who not only understands the technical details but also knows how to translate them into clear, actionable communication.
A fractional CIO fills this role beautifully. We serve as an experienced technology leader who:
- Stays on top of emerging threats and vendor alerts
- Analyzes which vulnerabilities are relevant to your environment
- Responds quickly to questions from staff or leadership
- Communicates clearly and calmly across the organization
With FireOak acting as your fCIO, you gain access to this kind of strategic insight and reassurance, without the overhead of a full-time executive hire.
A Security Strategy Rooted in Clarity
Cybersecurity is just as much about communication as it is about technology.
When something breaks or a threat emerges, your team needs clarity. They need to know who to ask and trust that the answer will come quickly and make sense.
FireOak provides that clarity.
We help organizations build smart, secure, and sustainable technology strategies. And when the next vulnerability makes the news, we’ll already be working on it so you don’t have to wonder whether your systems are at risk.
Let’s Talk
If your organization could benefit from a security-savvy voice at the table to bridge the gap between tech and strategy, we’d love to talk.
Contact us to learn more about how FireOak’s fractional CIO services can help you stay informed, secure, and focused on your mission.
