Adam McManus is the founder and CEO of Fortress Tech Consulting LLC, a cybersecurity
consulting firm based in Toronto. Adam’s passion for cybersecurity began early in life and he decided to continue his passion by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity. At Fortress Tech Consulting, Adam and his team take a personalized approach to cybersecurity, working closely with small and midsize businesses to understand what their security vulnerabilities are and how to combat them.
- Adam, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background in cybersecurity?
Adam McManus: Of course, thank you for having me. I’ve been in the cybersecurity industry for over 15 years now. I started my career as an IT technician, and over time I developed a passion for cybersecurity. I went back to school to get my degree in cybersecurity, and since then I’ve worked for a number of different companies and consulted for many more.
- Can you tell us more about Fortress Tech Consulting and what the company does?
Adam McManus: Sure, at Fortress Tech Consulting, my team and I provide cybersecurity consulting services to businesses – mostly small and midsize businesses. Our goal is to help our clients protect their sensitive data and infrastructure from cyber threats. We offer a wide range of services, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits.
- What, from your experience, do you think are some of the biggest cybersecurity threats that businesses face today?
Adam McManus: There are many different threats that businesses face today, but some of the most common ones include phishing attacks, ransomware, and insider threats. Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, so it’s important for businesses to stay vigilant and keep their security measures up to date.
- How do you work with clients to help them identify and address these threats?
Adam McManus: Well, we take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. We start by conducting a thorough assessment of our client’s infrastructure and identifying any vulnerabilities that exist. From there, we work with our clients to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses their specific needs and goals. We also provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that their security measures remain effective over time.
- How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in cybersecurity?
Adam McManus: Like a lot of tech areas, cybersecurity is a ever-evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends and developments. I make it a priority to read cybersecurity blogs and news sites, and network where I can. Additionally, my team and I are always learning and expanding our knowledge base to better serve our clients.
- What advice do you have for businesses that are just starting to take cybersecurity seriously?
Adam McManus: My advice would be to start with a comprehensive assessment of your infrastructure and identify any vulnerabilities that exist. From there, develop a cybersecurity strategy that addresses your specific needs and goals. And most importantly, make cybersecurity a priority and invest in ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that your security measures remain effective over time.
- What are some common misconceptions that businesses have about cybersecurity?
Adam McManus: One common misconception is that cybersecurity is only necessary for large businesses or those in certain industries. The truth is that any business that collects, stores, or processes sensitive data is at risk of a cyber attack. Another misconception is that investing in cybersecurity is too expensive or time-consuming. While there is a cost associated with cybersecurity measures, the cost of a data breach or other cyber attack can be far more costly in the long run..
- What do you think the future of cybersecurity looks like?
Adam McManus: I think that cybersecurity will continue to become more sophisticated and complex as cybercriminals develop new methods of attack. At the same time, I think that there will be an increased focus on proactive measures, such as threat hunting and machine learning, to identify and prevent threats before they can cause harm. Additionally, with the growing importance of remote work, we can expect to see an increased emphasis on securing remote access and endpoints.
