Author: Jeff Herzfeld
Hello “Denver IT Executives” Alumni, and welcome to the first edition of the QuarterNote Newsletter
In an effort to improve DITEX outreach to our Alumni, we are working on a few initiatives to provide additional communications on a regular basis. To that end, we’d like to announce a new quarterly newsletter (or perhaps monthly, depending on feedback): the first of these appearing below. We’d ultimately like to include updates on alumni (job changes, achievements, awards, promotions – kindly provided by you to your appreciative editors), and potentially guest editorials or articles by Alums. And at this point, since this is (in kindest terms) a “work of art in progress”, we want to hear from you—the constructive criticism, as well as the good points (though hopefully more on the positive side of the ledger—we have set up a separate repository for the negative comments—we call it the Circular File).
The QuarterlyNote Stream of Consciousness—”You’re going to be tapped”
The editors of this Ditex newsletter will, from time to time, opine on various and sundry issues. Given the current economic conditions and future market uncertainty, it seem timely today to discuss the Pay-It-Forward and Pay-It-Back philosophy which underpins the DITEX organization.
I believe everyone receiving this letter has heard (on multiple occasions), one version or another of what I call the “Tap on the Shoulder” speech.
“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents…….Winston Churchill
There are many iterations of this, especially as it relates to the creepier Godfather quid-pro-quo variation (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?
That is, of course, a fairly logical cause and effect proposition. Unfortunately, I believe that scenario will accelerate again in 2023 (but would be happy to be proven wrong).
That being the case, our ask today is simply that each Ditex alum be open to helping those who reach out and request it. That help could take the form of a LinkedIn or live introduction, a reference, or a phone call to discuss and glean some insight into the culture and/or needs at a particular company….or something else entirely. We don’t know exactly how it turns out–it’s a mystery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
All of us have been in positions where we can, and have helped others: we have also been in positions where others have helped us. They are merely opposite sides to the long-term career fortunes of nearly everyone. And while I don’t believe karma or the universe is necessarily consistent, or always fair, I do believe that helping others is often its own reward, much in the way of gift-giving to parents, children and significant others. So on those long days when you’re trying to fend off the Gremlins, Gravelings and Dementors who are trying to suck the life from you…..
…..think of your helping another as the antidote (the sunlight, or the wand that conjures a Patronus spell, if you will) to the difficulty and frustration of fighting one of the uglies.
–Thus endeth today’s SOC compliance (Stream of Consciousness).
NEWS BYTES (see what we did there?)
1. *U.S. Bans Chinese Telecom Equipment and Surveillance Cameras Over National Security Risk
https://thehackernews.com/
Bottom line—Given all of the news related to Chinese aggression and spying (including Chinese made DJI drones flying over Washington, D.C—see e.g., https://nypost.com/2022/11/23/
2. *Tech Industry Layoffs Are Accelerating. What Does That Mean?
https://news.crunchbase.com/
Bottom line—there is still substantial need, and employment opportunities for tech workers
Companies beholden to ad spend, cut back in preparation for the economic situation to worsen. Meta, Twitter, Alphabet and Google fall into this camp.
But tech companies not beholden to ad spend are largely doing OK. This is always the case when the economy goes through a dramatic shift: some industries thrive while others go bottom-up.
In fact, the overall tech market is facing a shortage of tech workers, the same shortage that drove large companies to stockpile top-tier talent in 2021.
And companies that are not considered “tech companies,” but use technology, such as Disney, Deloitte and Bank of America, are among the top 50 employers for tech roles.
Roles including cybersecurity, cloud operations, and data science and analytics continue to be in demand as companies operate remote or hybrid workplaces and require distributed and secure networks, per Dice.
3. *How the cyber incident reporting law could finally fix the information sharing problem
https://www.cyberscoop.com/
Bottom line- Government and industry have long struggled with cybersecurity information sharing. The law, which is expected to take effect in 2025 or sooner, states that certain industries must disclose hacks within 72 hours and reveal if they’ve made ransomware payments within 24 hours. But the critical question is just how much data the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will require from organizations. So far, there’s no clear indication of what critical infrastructure sectors will be required to report cyber incidents. While the rulemaking is ongoing in the coming months, many critical infrastructure operators — especially the smaller ones — may have to develop their own processes to ensure they can comply with CIRCIA. Some simply aren’t equipped to quickly detect cyberattacks, let alone follow rigorous reporting requirements, say experts.
4. *CIOs: Here’s What Your Business Modernization Strategy Should Be
https://www.ciodive.com/spons/
Bottom Line— Digital transformation efforts are most effective when an organization focuses on business needs as the primary driver of technology investments—not the other way around.
Resources
DITEX Alumni Slack Channel – ditex-alumni.slack.com
TECH YEET / DITEX Slack Channel – https://www.techyeet.org
TechYeet is an invite-only Slack community. If you would like an invite, please contact an active Ditex member. Once on TechYeet, you can navigate to the DITEX Channel. TechYeet is also a source for finding tech talent and to network.
DITEX closed LinkedIn group (Actives & Alumni) https://www.linkedin.com/
CURRENT ACTIVE DITEX MEMBERS (alphabetical listing)
Jack Donnelly – linkedin.com/in/
Bob Flores – linkedin.com/in/robertlflores
Rob Grant – linkedin.com/in/robgrantleader
Sean Harding – linkedin.com/in/gseanharding
Chuck Hasek – linkedin.com/in/chuck-hasek
Eric Helmsen – linkedin.com/in/eric-helmsen-
Jeff Herzfeld – linkedin.com/in/jalherz
Kris Jensen – linkedin.com/in/kfjensen
Curtis Letson – linkedin.com/in/curtisletson
Krishna (Sudarsana) Mullangi – linkedin.com/in/
Helmut Oehring – linkedin.com/in/helmutoehring
Dane Reece – linkedin.com/in/danereece
Scott Rehner – linkedin.com/in/scottrehner
View full list of current DITEX active members and bios.