Level up your Security

In our latest Tech for Business podcast, Todd (COO/CISO) and Nate (Director of Cybersecurity) explore what it really means to secure an organization in 2026. This isn’t about checking boxes or chasing the latest tools, it’s about evolving your security mindset. To truly level up, organizations must move beyond legacy thinking and focus on identity, data protection, and intentional control over emerging technologies like AI.

Treat Identity as Your Front Line

The traditional network perimeter is gone. Identity now determines who can access what, from where, and under what conditions. Legacy systems like Active Directory were built for a different era and struggle to support today’s cloud-first, mobile workforce.

Leveling up your security means modernizing identity management. Automating access based on HR events, enforcing least privilege, and ensuring rapid offboarding dramatically reduces risk. When identity is managed well, security becomes both stronger and easier to maintain.

Secure What Acts on Your Behalf

Security today extends far beyond human users. APIs, service accounts, and AI agents—often called non-human identities—now perform critical business functions. These identities frequently have broad access and limited visibility, making them attractive targets for attackers.

To level up, organizations must treat non-human identities with the same discipline as human ones. That means knowing what they can access, limiting permissions, and monitoring activity consistently.

Get Ahead of Shadow AI

AI is already part of everyday work, whether it’s officially approved or not. Employees are using AI tools to increase productivity, often without realizing the risks around data exposure and misuse.

Instead of banning AI outright, organizations should focus on clarity. Establish guardrails around which tools are approved, how data can be shared, and what information should never leave your environment. The goal is to enable innovation while maintaining control.

Lock Down the Fundamentals

While AI dominates headlines, most breaches still start with basic failures. Poor endpoint security, excessive permissions, and flat networks continue to be the easiest way in for attackers.

Leveling up your security starts with discipline. Hardening workstations, removing unnecessary admin rights, controlling which applications can run, and educating employees all play a critical role in stopping threats before they spread.

How to Level Up—Starting Now

• Know your gaps: Identify where your security posture falls short and prioritize the risks that matter most.
• Use what you already pay for: Fully enable security features like Single Sign-On, user provisioning, and conditional access.
• Set clear AI guardrails: Define which AI tools are approved and how sensitive data can (and cannot) be used.
• Remove excessive access: Eliminate local admin rights and unnecessary permissions to shrink your attack surface.
• Isolate legacy systems: Segment older infrastructure so it can’t be used as a bridge for attackers.
• Commit to continuous improvement: Security maturity isn’t one-and-done—review, adjust, and evolve regularly.