Midlands Business Journal • FEBRUARY 7, 2020 •
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Technology A section prepared by the staff of the midlands business journal • FEBRUARY 7, 2020
Likes of hybrid multicloud, phishing scams represent evolving technologies by Michelle Leach
Sophisticated phishing emails masked as legitimate legal documents and hybrid cloud-based solutions embody how technology can be leveraged for malevolent and benevolent purposes, hindering or helping one’s enterprise. “In the past, phishing emails would come in and the typical email would consist of an alleged vendor claiming that a payment failed or an account was locked out with links allegedly directing the user to resolve the issue,” said Scantron Technology Solutions Omaha Senior Security Engineer Arturo Romero. “We all know now those links lead to a spoofed site where they would steal your credentials. Now, they have changed those emails and tactics in general. “They also now send attachments that you can download that may give them direct access to your system, malware that keeps your system captive, or another application that tracks all your keystrokes,” he said. “They can also pretend to be official documents, pertainRomero ing to legal cases that scare you into going to their sites or downloading their attachments.” Still other times they pretend to be official Microsoft application emails, asking to share documentation with the user. “As always, as technology changes, so do the delivery methods and tactics of adversaries,” he said. Romero said one should resist the temptation to think once threats, assets and vulnerabilities are analyzed, that the business will never have to do that again. “Quite the contrary — it is a constant cycle as the organization’s operations continue to grow and mature,” he said. “So do those threats, assets and vulnerabilities.” And, the biggest vulnerability of all, Romero said, continues to be the perception that a business isn’t a “big enough” target to worry about any threat. “And that is if they are compliant with regulatory assessments, they are secure,” he said of further pitfalls to avoid.
Evolving Solutions Vice President of Sales, Services and Marketing Bo Gebbie spoke to the opportunities and challenges that have opened up for organizations of all sizes, courtesy of cloud computing. “What many said was a fad has grown into a multibillion-dollar technology shift that has upended how technologists perform their work, how organizations operate and innovate, and how companies of all sizes are challenging the status quo,” he said. “Because it offers many deployment choices, the cloud has evolved to become an essential tool for businesses. Cloud configurations can be combined in many ways to suit an enterprise’s needs.” Key types of deployments include private, public and hybrid cloud, and the hybrid multicloud. “As cloud technologies have matured and evolved, many organizations have opted to take a hybrid multicloud approach,” Gebbie said. “Flexibility, investment protection and fluid movement of applications and data are the hallmarks of this approach. Over the Wade past several years, we have seen clients in Omaha and throughout the region implement strategies around a hybrid multicloud methodology.” He said the urgent nature to make this change is driven by both IT and C-suite. “Hybrid multicloud solutions help organizations deploy applications where they make the most sense for their organization, move more quickly to change and be flexible to the ever-changing needs of the business,” he said; citing an IBM Institute for Business (IBV) study: “Currently, 85% of companies use a multicloud environment … IBV forecasts that, in three years, 98% of enterprises will use hybrid multiclouds.” Flexibility and offerings in the market, Gebbie noted, make it easier than ever to find a technology solution that aligns with an organization’s business objectives. “We are fortunate to be an adviser that helps business clients across industries reach their goals or tackle their biggest Continued on next page.
Reaanddit
Bo Gebbie, vice president at Evolving Solutions in Omaha.
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Technology — inside FEBRUARY 7, 2020
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER OF GREATER OMAHA, LINCOLN AND COUNCIL BLUFFS
THIS WEEK 'S ISSUE:
$2.00
VOL. 46 NO. 6
Security Equipment Inc. grows market share with larger accounts by Richard D. Brown
Reliant Studios tells nonprofits’ stories through film. – Page 2
40 er d Un 40 Harley works to bring opportunity, diversity to the workplace at Greater Omaha Chamber. – Page 4
nd sam l e t is Ho our T
Omaha tourism on the rise in 2020. – Page 25
Security Equipment Inc., a provider of commercial and residential security solutions, is growing both its market share in Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City and Des Moines markets en route to hitting $30 million in annual revenues. Revenues were up 15% last year, partially reflecting the Omaha headquartered firm’s purchase of a former competitor in central Iowa. “We’re the largest business of our type in Nebraska and now we’re among the top tier in Des Moines,” said Chief Operating Officer Matt Vellek. “Our branch in Kansas City continues to develop and companywide we’re actively looking for additional acquisition opportunities.” SEi, founded in Omaha in 1969, purchased Strauss Security Solutions last year — a 92-year-old Des Moines firm that had been family-owned for three decades. “Growth organically is what we plan for but we’re going to be continually looking at acquisition opportunities, and especially those that can expand our efforts to acquire Continued on page 10.
Chief Operating Officer Matt Vellek … The firm has expanded geographically and has added new tech for enhanced security. (Photo by MBJ / Becky McCarville)
Per user licensing model helps to fuel 40% annual growth for H4 Technology by Michelle Leach
Leveraging its per user fee pricing model, H4 Technology has secured year-to-year growth of 40% since entering the product space five years ago, as its health care data solutions resonates with organizations of varied sizes in an accountable care and value-based care environment. “What we’ve found with this per user and modular approach is that organizations can implement and
pick and choose projects to provide immediate [return on investment] to the organization, and they’re more apt to come on board and then evolve into other data and add more data down the road,” said Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and co-founder Craig Christenson. “We’ve made it easier to sell because it’s not a huge ticket item. We could fit into their operational budget more effectively, Continued on page 12. Owner Holly Wiest … Sharing a passion for mindful, healthy eating with a dash of fun.
Holly’s Healthy Holes balances fun, flavor and nutritious treats by Becky McCarville
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Co-founder Craig Christenson … With five of its seven years in the products space, the firm has secured double-digit year-over-year growth among users in new value-based care space.
A passion for food and fitness spurred Holly Wiest to start Holly’s Healthy Holes, an e-commerce baking company that delivers gluten-free protein donuts made with minimal ingredients. What started as a hobby — sharing healthy baked goods with her clients while working as a personal trainer at a fitness
club — has turned into a fulltime business with commercial kitchen space and customer pickup spot at 2215 Leavenworth St., completed the summer of 2019. Founded in 2018, the company has grown organically through its authentic social media presence and word of mouth. December was the company’s biggest month to date, with 5,358 Continued on page 11.