dnsUNFILTERED

In this conversation, Mikey Pruitt and James Shuler from Centre Technologies discuss the evolution and current state of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), focusing on redefining success metrics, the importance of cybersecurity, and the integration of AI in IT operations.

They explore how Centre Technologies positions itself uniquely in the MSP landscape, emphasizing a strategic approach to project work and managed services. The discu...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey Pruitt interviews Brett Cheloff, the new Chief Product Officer at DNSFilter.

They discuss Brett's journey from Zorus to DNSFilter, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, and the importance of endpoint security in a work-from-home environment. The conversation highlights the synergy between DNSFilter and Zorus, the significance of automation for managed service providers (MSPs), and the ...

In this episode, Mikey interviews Ian Blake, founder and CEO of Square Dot, a B2B marketing firm specializing in MSPs.

They discuss the unique challenges faced by MSPs in marketing, the importance of differentiation in a crowded market, and how AI can be leveraged to enhance marketing strategies. Ian shares insights on identifying unique selling propositions, creating effective marketing content, and practical tips fo...

In this episode, Mikey Pruitt interviews Ben Gillenwater, known as the Family IT Guy, who shares his expertise on keeping children safe online.

Ben discusses his background in technology and how he transitioned to focus on family IT security. He outlines three key pillars for parents:

- blocking harmful content

- limiting screen time

- avoiding contact with strangers

The conversation dives into the challenges of modern parenting in ...

Jonathan Singer from GuidePoint Security discusses the intricacies of the cybersecurity channel, emphasizing the importance of relationships, trust, and strategic partnerships. He shares insights on how the sales landscape has evolved, the role of vendors and resellers, and the emerging trends in cybersecurity, particularly the impact of AI and the significance of the CVE database.Chapters00:00 Understanding the Channel in Sales04:...

What does it take to build a cybersecurity company that actually competes with OpenDNS?

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey sits down with Ken Carnesi, CEO and co-founder of DNSFilter, for an unfiltered conversation on entrepreneurship, DNS filtering, company culture, competition, and what it means to protect real people from real threats.

From solving sketchy hotel Wi-Fi problems with DNS to acquiring threat intelligence too...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey Pruitt interviews Tom Sweet, CIO of Industrial Refrigeration Pros. They discuss the complexities of managing technology in a rapidly growing company, the importance of cultural change management, and the future of AI in the industrial refrigeration sector.

Tom shares insights on cybersecurity challenges, vendor selection, and the significance of building a cross-functional IT team. He a...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, cybersecurity expert Chip Harris shares his extensive background in IT and OT security, detailing his transition from military contracting to cybersecurity.

He discusses the critical differences between IT and OT security, the importance of disaster recovery, and practical tips for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity posture.

Chip also speaks on the role of AI in cybersecurity, the challenges ...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey Pruitt interviews Dustin Bolander, the CIO of Clear Guidance Partners and founder of Beltex, a cyber insurance company.

They discuss the unique challenges MSPs face when working with law firms, the importance of specialization in the MSP industry, and the evolving landscape of cyber insurance.

Dustin shares insights on how MSPs can navigate the complexities of insurance, the differences betwee...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey Pruitt interviews Jeffrey Newton, founder of Cyft.ai, an AI startup focused on enhancing the Connectwise operations of MSPs. Jeffrey shares his journey from working in various MSPs to becoming a vendor, highlighting the importance of understanding the MSP landscape.

The conversation dives into the role of AI in streamlining processes, the challenges MSPs face in sales, and the need for a m...

In this episode, Mikey Pruitt speaks with Tony Black from Huntress about the importance of SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) in cybersecurity. They discuss the features of Huntress' new SIEM platform, the significance of DNS queries in security investigations, and how small businesses can benefit from enterprise-grade security solutions. The conversation also touches on the future of SIEM technology, including th...

In this conversation, Mikey Pruitt and Stephan Schmidt explore the concept of radical simplicity in software development and business management. They discuss the challenges CTOs face, the importance of balancing technical and management skills, and the implications of technical debt. The conversation also delves into the future of coding in the age of AI, emphasizing the need for simplicity across all business domains to enhance a...

In this conversation, Richard Hipp, the creator of SQLite, shares his journey from academia to developing one of the most widely used databases in the world. He discusses the origins of SQLite, its simplicity, and how it has become integral to modern applications.

Richard emphasizes the importance of simplicity in software design and the challenges of maintaining that simplicity as features are added. He reflects on the business s...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey Pruitt interviews Richard Washington a talent connoisseur from England, who shares his journey from tech sales to entrepreneurship. Richard discusses the importance of hiring entrepreneurial individuals within organizations, the traits that define them, and how they can drive innovation and growth. He emphasizes the need for clarity in expectations and the significance of creating an environ...

Generative AI is rewriting the IT playbook. 🌐 In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, ‪@roadtoCISO‬ sits down with Timothy TK Keanini, CTO of ‪@Dnsfiltercom‬ to unpack how IT is evolving in real time. From the rise of generalists and the future of DNS to the game-changing role of AI in decision-making, TK delivers insights that will reshape how you think about technology. Key takeaways: → Generative AI is transforming every department...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, cybersecurity expert John Hammond pulls back the curtain on the current threat landscape with Mikey Pruitt — from InfoStealer malware to AI-powered cybercrime. With his no-fluff approach, John shares how he got into the field, why hands-on experience is everything in cybersecurity, and the real risks that keep him up at night. He also explains how Huntress tackles threats head-on and offers practic...

In this episode, DNSFilter's Partner Evangelist, Mikey Pruitt dives into an engaging conversation with Dean Trempelas, MSP expert and leader at Helpt. Together, they explore the MSP landscape, the changing role of customer experience in retention, and how MSPs can avoid becoming just another face in a commoditized industry. ‪Dean shares insights on his unconventional entry into the MSP field, Helpt's unique service approach, and w...

In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, Mikey sits down with Cheyenne (Chey) Harden to explore his journey from an IT pro automating his way out of boredom to a thriving MSP owner. Chey opens up about the personal wake-up call that pushed him to create his own business and the lessons he learned along the way.

Chey shares how word-of-mouth referrals and strategic advertising helped him grow, along with the importance of hiring the right ...

Darrin Piotrowski built Courant on one core belief: people come first. In this episode of dnsUNFILTERED, he shares how rebranding from Rent-A-Nerd transformed his MSP into a trusted IT partner for New Orleans businesses. Darrin explains why human connection, local engagement, and live support set Courant apart, while cybersecurity is a standard, not an upsell. Discover how focusing on people—not just tech—can elevate your business.