UCG Partners with Leading Cyber Security Firm KnowBe4, LLC

Managed Service cyber security training now included with UCG’s VAULT400 BaaS and DR program

United Computer Group, Inc. (UCG), a global information technology services firm, is pleased to announce a partnership with KnowBe4 LLC (KB4) Tampa Bay, FL, the world’s most popular integrated Security Training and Simulated Phishing platform.

KB4’s solution suite provides both pre- and post-phishing security tests that show the percentage of end-users that are phish-prone. Scheduled security tests keep employees on their toes with security top of mind, and can provide remedial online training in case an employee falls for a simulated phishing attack. The solution suite is based on Kevin Mitnick’s 30+ year unique first-hand hacking experience, and provides tools to better manage IT security problems of social engineering, spear-phishing and ransomware attacks.  

KnowBe4’s CEO, Stu Sjouwerman stated, “We are very pleased to be partnering with UCG and are looking forward to helping manage the problem created by cybercriminals.”

James A. Kandrac, Founder & President of UCG said, “We continuously listen to client needs and cyber security has been on the forefront for quite some time. UCG’s VAULT400 BaaS will now include a turnkey managed solution version of KB4’s cyber security solution suite via remote implementation in less than 90 minutes.”

Scheduled simulated phishing attacks and monthly reports will provide executives the insight they need to maximize training ROI and track security compliance. As an added value, a base number of KB4 users will be included at no additional charge to current and new VAULT400 subscribers. UCG is very selective when adding a new partner. What impressed UCG the most was the experience, focus, continual product updates and unbridled passion for cyber security that KB4 brings to the table. 

Kandrac added, “We have done our due diligence and are pleased to bring this exciting solution suite into the UCG fold. We look forward to a long term partnership with KnowBe4, Stu Sjouwerman and his valued team.”

About KnowBe4

knowbe4.com

The KnowBe4 team has built, deployed, and supported market leading e-learning applications and has deep roots in IT Security. KnowBe4 was founded by Stu Sjouwerman (pronounced “shower-man”), formerly co-founder of Sunbelt Software, developer of VIPRE Antivirus, which in 2010 was acquired by GFI Software, a portfolio company of the Insight Venture Partners Venture Capital Fund in New York and Boston.

Listen to webinar replay: 2015 State of IBM POWER8 Backup, Disaster Recovery & Cyber Security Webinar, from UCG and IBM Systems Magazine. 

Download PDF: Why Security Awareness Training? Ransomware. That's Why.

Download PDF: Which email addresses are exposed on the internet and are a target for phishing attacks?

Download PDF: Find Out What Percentage of Your Employees is Phish-prone

Download PDF: Social Engineering Red Flags.

When your old IBM/InfoPrint printer goes down, bad things happen.

Has your team run amok because your old IBM printer is on

its last legs and is constantly down?

Finding parts is impossible, or maybe it's been discontinued. Do not despair...we

have a solution!

As authorized DASCOM printer resellers, we've gotten some very positive customer feedback on their brand new Tally 4347-i Series printers. The 4347-i08 and 4347-i10 are industrial serial impact printers available at a fraction of the cost of line printers.

With a host of interface options, a great trade in rebate, one-year on-site warranty standard with the printer, the Tally 4347-i Series has been designed as the perfect IBM/InfoPrint replacement.

We offer exceptional technical support and expertise, a 30-day try-it, buy-it program and much more.

(As far as these guys are concerned...you're on your own!)

For additional details, contact Gina Creager, Printer Specialist, at 216.520.1333 #170, or by email at gmc@ucgrp.com.

Thank you for making a great choice with the Tally 4347-i Series printer! United Computer Group, Inc. is an authorized DASCOM printer reseller. 

Download spec sheet Tally 4347-i Series

Upcoming Events!

UCG's Jim Kandrac and Mike Powall are getting ready for several upcoming shows and conferences. Come meet with us at the following events.

CIO Symposium

September 10, 2015

7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Embassy Suites

Rockside Road, Independence

The 16th annual OHTec CIO Symposium is the longest-running gathering of IT executives in Northeast Ohio. OHTec brings together thought leaders from the region and from around the country to bring valuable, strategic-level information to CIOs and IT executives leading the region’s enterprise IT organizations. Register Now!

  

Optimum Solutions Users Conference

September 15-18

Hilton Suites Downtown

Nashville, TN

The conference will kick off Tuesday evening at 5:00 pm with registration, a reception with light refreshments, and a great opportunity for social networking with other professionals in your area of expertise. Learn more.

2015 VAI Executive Summit

September 29-30

Hyatt Regency Long Island

at Wind Watch Golf Club

Be sure to stop by our exhibit to learn how UCG can help you work smarter, faster, and reclaim your time with VAULT400 BaaS. While you're there, play UCG's Scratch Off game; 50% of players win various UCG prizes. Grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad!  Register here!

The longest-running gathering of CIOs in northeast Ohio!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Embassy Suites

Rockside Road, Independence

UCG is pleased to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the 16th annual OHTec CIO Symposium, the longest-running gathering of IT executives in Northeast Ohio.

"OHTec brings together thought leaders from the region and from around the country to bring valuable, strategic-level information to CIOs and IT executives leading the region’s enterprise IT organizations.

Since 2000, The CIO Symposium has offered an exceptional forum for CIOs and IT executives to share insights on critical business issues and make important connections with one another. Through thought-provoking keynote speakers and engaging breakout sessions, the 2015 CIO Symposium offers an invaluable experience for CIOs of any industry, for any size enterprise and at any stage of their CIO career."

Register Now!

Learn more by visiting ciosymposium.org. We look forward to seeing you!

LIFE IS A POKER GAME by James A. Kandrac

It’s called “theatre in the round.”

May I suggest regardless of the path you choose: you can’t get where you’re going if you don’t know where you want to go. Young men and women’s goals can certainly change over time. Unexpected turns can create completely different and unanticipated outcomes…and life, as a poker game, continues to roll.

The compelling theatre.

A basic plan. Work it. Be flexible enough to change it. Nothing too detailed or exotic. Remember, Southwest Airlines started on the back of a cocktail napkin and of the U.S. majors, is the only profitable airline.

The beginning.

At the age of 12 I began molding my plan. I wanted to work for IBM. Back in the mid 1970’s, IBM was a growing company in the technology field. That’s all I knew. I wanted a good job, wanted to sell and make money! After completing undergraduate studies at Cleveland State University in 1983, I entered graduate school and successfully started my dream with an internship at IBM. I quickly became disenchanted. IBM may be challenging and rewarding for some. I found it to be extremely political and not an environment I would prosper in and enjoy, long-term. Politics was part of the game and I didn’t want to play. I was born to be an entrepreneur and control my destiny, but didn’t know where to go.

After a six-month search, the president of an entrepreneurial $18M computer leasing firm brought me on board as his assistant. Within 12 months, I was promoted to Sales and helped grow the firm to $125M in three years. We went public and soon thereafter, the environment changed from entrepreneurial to political. Additional layers of management were created, territories and commissions were reduced. The company needed to appeal to Wall Street and shareholders, and unfortunately for me, the firm became a “mini-IBM”.

In June 1987 I went home to my wife of two years and six month old daughter. In December 1987, at age 26, I founded United Computer Group, Inc. (UCG) with $30,000 in savings, and gave myself six months to make it.

Catch perfect.

Today, UCG is a successful and growing company and has been for nearly 30 years. This is not because I am overly intelligent, but because the UCG team has focused and worked harder than our competitors. People and great clients are your most important assets.

Require them to work hard, be honest, take pride in what they do and have fun at it. A marriage of any kind isn’t easy. Go after your dreams and do not give up.

My most important asset, valued over everything else, has been the never-ending support of my wife Pam. Excitement, challenges, successes, and even failures.

The Kandrac Family
Jim and his wife Pamela live in Brecksville, OH;
Lauren resides in Chicago, IL; Kristin and Bret Ernst live in Agoura Hills, California

I controlled my destiny.

Remember: Life is a poker game. You can’t get where you’re going if you don’t know where you want to go.

DOWNLOAD FULL ARTICLE

   

James A. Kandrac is Founder and President of United Computer Group, Inc.  UCG has served over 1,500 clients globally. Visit ucgrp.com and vault400.com.

UCG is an IBM Advanced Business Partner specializing in providing technology solutions to mid-market companies.  

Most Interesting Persons: Ted Turner and Herb Kelleher

Brecksville residents experience exciting Republican Presidential Primary Debate

By John Benson, Brecksville Gazette

August 19, 2015

Northeast Ohioans are still buzzing about the recent Republican presidential Primary Debate held earlier this month at Quicken Loans Arena. “Certainly it was very exciting,” said Brecksville resident Jim Kandrac, who attended the debate with friend Frank Fantozzi.

“The first debate being here brought people and dollars to Cleveland. It was a perfect kickoff for the city as we go into the next year and ultimately host the convention next July.”

While the debate itself lasted two hours, Kandrac, the president and founder of United Computer Group, Inc. and VAULT400, said the night was a whirlwind. Watching from his club level seat, he specifically enjoyed the commercial breaks.

“At home you’re watching commercial breaks but when you’re down there, things were happening with the moderators and the 10 candidates interacting between themselves,” Kandrac said. “I was watching who are they talking to, who are they not talking to. To see that was really interesting.”

Read more!

Transform Your Marketing with IBM Digital Content Marketing!

Did you know:

Digital channels influence about 90% of purchases made by business decision makers?

Today's buyers are 57% of the way down the purchase path before they contact you, that is, if they contact you at all?

Thank you IBM for a fantastic digital marketing workshop presented on August 13 in New York. Kudos to all involved! 

#IBMdigitalBP

+TSL Marketing 

IBM Digital Marketing Workshop Attendees