Vikram Phatak

Today’s San Antonio Chapter of CFMA lunch reminded me why cross-functional learning is one of the most underrated risk management tools we have. Here are the three insights that hit hardest for me: 1. Tax changes create security gaps. Rushed tech purchases to capture bonus depreciation or R&D credits often skip security vetting and that’s where exposure creeps in. 2. Construction firms face rising cyber risk. According to the Dodge Construction Network, 59% of construction firms experienced a cybersecurity threat over a two year period. The industry’s complexity makes it a prime target. 3. Finance + IT disconnect = avoidable risk. In most of the firms I talk to, finance leaders can’t list all of the cloud tools their project teams rely on. This is a blind spot attackers love. Takeaway: Your tax strategy, growth plan, and cybersecurity posture aren’t separate. They’re interconnected systems that can either reinforce or undermine each other. Huge thanks to Kathryn Hall, Bradley Frantz, Nita McBride, and the speaker for today's session Shelley Woitena for an outstanding CFMA meeting. Also wanted to thank Denice Allison for the introduction to the San Antonio crew. What’s an unexpected place you’ve learned something critical about your business?

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🔐 Secure Email for Texas Agencies, Now Available via DIR Email remains one of the most targeted attack vectors for public sector organizations. From phishing and spoofing to sensitive data exposure, the risks are real and growing. Tekgration proudly offers Trustifi Secure Email Solutions through the Texas DIR Cooperative Contracts, making it easier for state agencies, higher education, and local governments to strengthen email security without a lengthy procurement process. ✨ Why Trustifi? ✔️ Advanced phishing and impersonation protection ✔️ Automatic email encryption & secure message delivery ✔️ Compliance support for HIPAA, CJIS, FERPA, and more ✔️ Easy deployment—no end-user training required ✔️ Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace 🛒 Why Buy Through DIR with Tekgration? ✔️ DIR-approved pricing ✔️ Streamlined procurement ✔️ HUB-certified, Texas-based partner ✔️ Local support and implementation guidance If your agency is looking to modernize email security while staying compliant and procurement-ready, Tekgration + Trustifi via DIR is a smart, secure path forward. 📩 Let’s talk about protecting your communications. https://lnkd.in/gffjAUQh #TexasDIR #CyberSecurity #EmailSecurity #Trustifi #TexasIT #SLED #GovernmentIT #HUBVendor #Tekgration

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Things Texas Takes Seriously: 1. Cowboy Hats 🤠 2. Not messing with it 🗑 3. Cybersecurity 🔒 Texas’s very own TX-RAMP Certification is becoming increasingly in-demand. Why? Well, Texas has done a few things right to make the cert stick: 1️⃣ It created an achievable standard based on the NIST SP 800-53 framework and provided clear use-cases. 2️⃣ It significantly reduced the audit burden on private companies. The Texas Department of Information Resources performs the certifying assessment – NOT an auditor. 3️⃣ It passed legislation requiring all vendors providing cloud-based services to Texas state agencies and higher education institutions to become TX-RAMP certified. It turns out that, when required by law to get certified or risk losing a big customer, vendors tend to get certified! We have helped a number of customers with TX-RAMP. But, we regularly get smaller companies asking us for help. We can't economically service them. Well, we couldn't... until now! We are announcing TX-RAMP Champ. TX-RAMP Champ allows small companies to get TX-RAMP certified with half the effort. We provide the templates needed, video to explain how to use the templates and access to our experts to help. Rob, that sounds amazing but I want to try it out without having to pay. Imaginary person, that's why we have a 45-day trial option to try out the tool. You can sign up from this link: https://lnkd.in/eFgAQfkx Don't want to sign up? We have a bunch of free resources for learning about TX-RAMP on our TX-RAMP Champ page. Of course, you could sign up for our TX-RAMP Complete and get all of the TX-RAMP resources including: - TX-RAMP Security Plan Workbook with Sample Answers for all Controls - Complete TX-RAMP Documentation Template Library - Complete Training Video Library - Access to one-on-one chats with U.S.-based TX-RAMP efforts - 2 live session reviews of TX-RAMP deliverables What do you think about a solution for helping with TX-RAMP? Do you know someone who is struggling with TX-RAMP and would like a speed boost? Tag them, please!!!

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One data breach could bankrupt your Texas small business and now the law will decide if you survive. Starting September 1, 2025, Texas businesses with fewer than 250 employees can avoid punitive damages after a cyberattack, but only if they have a documented and actively maintained cybersecurity program. This is the new Texas Cybersecurity Safe Harbor law, and it rewards companies that follow recognized security frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, the Center for Internet Security Controls, or the Health Information Trust Alliance framework. I help businesses get there fast by: - Managing your technology so systems are secure, monitored, and updated at all times - Installing and maintaining cybersecurity tools like firewalls, endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and intrusion detection - Providing compliance-as-a-service, including risk assessments, written policies, staff training, and ongoing monitoring to keep your protections current The law is clear: prepare now, or face the full cost of a breach later. Reach out to me today and let’s get your business protected before the deadline.

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As tech evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals targeting privileged credentials. Federal agencies are stepping up their game with NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework. Dive into NIST’s Special Publication 800-63 to see how they're managing digital identity risks.