IT Leadership Archives

Interim CIO Services: Enhancing IT Leadership and Continuity in Higher Education

Posted on March 26, 2025April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

In higher education, the role of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) is foundational to the success of the institution’s technological infrastructure, aligning IT with academic, operational, and student services. When a CIO position becomes vacant—whether due to retirement, departure, or a transitional phase—ensuring continuity and stability in IT operations is paramount. Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) offers interim CIO services to bridge these critical gaps, providing not just leadership but also strategic direction that keeps IT on course and aligned with institutional goals.

Why Interim CIO Services Are Critical for Higher Education

Columbia Advisory Group has built a reputation for providing Interim CIO services to a diverse array of higher education institutions. Our interim leadership provides institutional resilience during times of change.

IT Leadership and Strategic Continuity

Leadership transitions, particularly in IT, present a unique set of challenges. The departure or retirement of a CIO can create a leadership vacuum that jeopardizes the continuity of critical IT operations. At CAG, our Interim CIOs step into the role with a clear mandate: to maintain momentum, deliver results, and drive strategic initiatives. What differentiates us is that while we assign an Interim CIO to your institution, our clients also gain access to the full breadth of CAG’s senior leadership team, whose collective CIO expertise provides immediate backup and strategic support when needed.

Holistic IT Strategy and Leadership

An Interim CIO from CAG brings a broad strategic perspective, enabling institutions to navigate complex IT challenges while positioning the organization for long-term success. From overseeing the IT budget to managing vendor interactions, our Interim CIOs ensure that every facet of your IT operation is aligned with the institution’s overarching goals. They also facilitate critical communication between senior leadership and department heads, keeping all stakeholders engaged and informed.

Our Interim CIOs also oversee the management of IT performance metrics and capital expenditures, ensuring that investments are aligned with both current needs and future objectives. Furthermore, they evaluate and execute milestones within the IT roadmap, ensuring that strategic initiatives remain on track. With CAG’s Interim CIOs, you gain a partner who helps you define a path forward while maintaining operational excellence during times of leadership change.

Tailored IT Leadership at Every Level

CAG understands that institutions may require leadership not just at the CIO level but across various IT management tiers. Whether your needs call for interim leadership at the Director or Manager level, CAG provides flexible, scalable solutions. Our Interim CIO service is designed to offer support that is tailored to your institution’s specific needs, ensuring that all levels of IT leadership are addressed and that the department remains functional, efficient, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Facilitating Collaboration and Communication Across the Institution

Effective leadership in IT is not just about managing systems—it’s about managing people and processes. An Interim CIO from CAG excels in facilitating communication across your institution, ensuring that both senior leadership and department leaders remain aligned on IT priorities. Our CIOs also run IT steering committee meetings, providing the forum for strategic discussions and decision-making. By managing IT staff and coordinating cross-departmental collaboration, our Interim CIOs ensure that IT issues are addressed proactively and that IT performance continues to support the broader goals of the institution.

Conclusion

Columbia Advisory Group’s Interim CIO services go beyond just filling a temporary gap—they are about providing your institution with the strategic leadership and operational continuity needed to thrive during times of transition. With our Interim CIOs, your institution benefits from seasoned leadership backed by the collective knowledge of CAG’s senior management team. We ensure that your IT department continues to function at a high level while also guiding the institution toward long-term strategic goals.

Our Interim CIO service provides not only the expertise needed to maintain IT excellence but also the strategic vision required to drive your institution forward. Contact us today to learn how we can help you navigate your leadership transition and ensure the continued success of your IT strategy. To learn more, visit columbiaadvisory.com/contact

CAG’s IT Solutions: Powering a Smooth Return to Office in Higher Education

Posted on March 4, 2025April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

As colleges and universities navigate the shift away from remote work, many institutions are facing significant challenges, especially when it comes to supporting their IT staff. A recent Forbes survey found that nearly 45% of workers would consider changing jobs if forced back into the office, which is a sentiment strongly echoed within IT departments. The return-to-office mandates have put extra strain on these teams, who were already stretched thin, juggling system security, regulatory compliance, and technology implementation. The challenges that arise from this transition are compounded by the need for constant innovation, efficient systems, and responsive support, all while dealing with limited resources.

The Challenges of the Return-to-Office Mandates

The push to eliminate work-from-home (WFH) policies in higher education has left IT departments grappling with several issues. According to a report by Forbes, nearly half of workers say they would consider changing jobs if forced back into the office, and this sentiment is felt strongly in the IT sector. The pressure to maintain productivity, support remote learning tools, and ensure seamless integration between on-campus and online systems has led to an environment of burnout and frustration.

As institutions of higher learning adjust to post-pandemic realities, IT departments are seeing the need for not just physical infrastructure but also an adaptable digital strategy that supports hybrid models, enhances the user experience, and ensures security compliance. This is where strategic, outsourced IT support becomes invaluable.

How CAG Fills the Gap

At Columbia Advisory Group (CAG), we understand these challenges and have tailored our IT consulting and managed services specifically for the higher education sector. With over 350 strategic projects and 100+ outsourcing engagements, CAG provides comprehensive solutions that address these pain points directly, helping higher education institutions transition smoothly while alleviating the burden on their IT teams.

Key Services CAG Offers:

Consulting for IT Planning and Execution: We offer end-to-end support for IT project planning, execution, and vendor management. CAG helps higher education institutions choose the right technology platforms, implement solutions effectively, and manage complex systems without disruption to daily operations.
CRM and Application Implementation: CAG supports institutions in implementing and optimizing CRM systems and critical applications to ensure seamless interactions between faculty, staff, and students. Our expertise in application management helps institutions adopt new technologies that enhance overall functionality and improve the user experience.
IT Assessments: CAG’s detailed IT assessments help identify performance gaps and opportunities for improvement in applications, infrastructure, and operations. Our scalability assessments ensure that technology can grow with the institution’s needs, and our budgetary and health analyses provide valuable insights into cost optimization.
IT Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance: In an era of heightened scrutiny around data privacy and security, CAG excels in ensuring regulatory compliance. Our services include NIST 800-53 and 171 framework assessments, penetration testing, and ongoing ISO services to ensure that IT infrastructure adheres to federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Shared and Managed IT Services: We help institutions optimize their IT operations with flexible, cost-effective managed solutions. From help desk management and network maintenance to application governance and fractional IT leadership (including interim CIO roles), CAG provides support where it’s most needed, enabling IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine tasks.
Improved User Experience: CAG’s focus on intuitive systems and seamless interaction ensures that faculty, staff, and students can navigate IT platforms with ease. This user-centered approach fosters greater productivity and satisfaction, even as institutions adapt to a changing work environment.

The Impact of Strategic IT Support

By partnering with CAG, higher education institutions can effectively manage their IT resources, reduce operational costs, and improve overall productivity. Our expertise in compliance frameworks and IT governance ensures that institutions remain secure while also enhancing the experience for end-users.

As the landscape of higher education IT continues to evolve, CAG remains committed to helping institutions stay ahead of the curve with the strategic guidance and managed services they need to thrive.

Eric Olson, Senior Director of Business Development at CAG, states, “We understand the unique challenges faced by higher education institutions in this rapidly changing landscape. Our focus is on providing tailored, actionable IT solutions that not only meet today’s needs but also prepare universities for the future.”

Learn more about how our services in IT planning, compliance, and managed services can streamline your operations and enhance your IT infrastructure: columbiaadvisory.com/contact

Strengthening Cybersecurity in Higher Education with Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO Services

Posted on February 13, 2025April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

The digital landscape in higher education is rapidly evolving, bringing increased cybersecurity threats to institutions that manage vast amounts of sensitive student, faculty, and research data. The rise of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and growing regulatory requirements underscores the need for a strategic, proactive approach to cybersecurity.

However, not all institutions have the resources to hire a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). That’s where Columbia Advisory Group’s Virtual CISO (vCISO) services provide a cost-effective, expert-driven solution—enhancing cybersecurity, ensuring compliance, and reducing risk without the expense of a full-time hire.

Why Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO Services?

Cybersecurity in higher education presents unique challenges: large, complex networks, multiple stakeholders (students, faculty, and staff), and a rapidly changing regulatory environment. Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) understands these complexities and delivers vCISO services tailored specifically to the needs of colleges and universities.

Here’s how our vCISO services help institutions navigate an increasingly dangerous digital landscape:

1. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

Regulatory compliance is a top priority for higher education institutions. Laws such as FERPA, GLBA, and HIPAA mandate strict data protection requirements, making it critical to establish strong security policies and controls.

Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO services integrate a proactive Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) framework to ensure institutions meet regulatory obligations while staying prepared for audits. We help:

Develop and enforce security policies, controls, and compliance strategies
Align cybersecurity initiatives with audit readiness and risk management
Ensure continuous compliance with evolving regulations

By taking a proactive approach to GRC, institutions can reduce the risk of fines, improve security posture, and build trust with students, faculty, and regulators.

2. Risk-Based Vulnerability Management

Higher education institutions are prime targets for cybercriminals due to their expansive IT environments and diverse infrastructure. But how do you prioritize vulnerabilities effectively?

Our vCISO services identify, assess, and prioritize vulnerabilities based on actual risk, ensuring that critical security gaps are addressed before they can be exploited. We:

Conduct comprehensive risk assessments across IT systems and networks
Prioritize vulnerabilities based on their potential impact
Provide actionable strategies to mitigate threats proactively

By focusing on high-risk vulnerabilities first, we help institutions minimize cyber risks while optimizing resources.

3. Attack Surface Management

As institutions adopt more devices, applications, and cloud services, their attack surface expands—creating more potential entry points for cyber threats.

Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO services provide:

Comprehensive attack surface monitoring to identify security gaps
Real-time risk assessments to prevent unauthorized access
Advanced security tools to detect, analyze, and reduce vulnerabilities

By continuously managing and securing the attack surface, institutions can mitigate risks and protect critical assets from evolving cyber threats.

4. Audit Readiness and Cybersecurity Maturity

Higher education institutions must be prepared for internal and external audits to maintain compliance with regulatory and industry standards. Our vCISO services help institutions:

Align security policies and procedures with audit frameworks
Conduct cybersecurity maturity assessments
Test and validate security controls to ensure compliance and resilience

By staying audit-ready, institutions avoid penalties, maintain trust, and demonstrate a strong commitment to data protection.

5. Incident Response and Crisis Management

Preventing cyber threats is essential, but so is preparing for the worst-case scenario. Our vCISO services include incident response planning to help institutions:

Develop and refine incident response playbooks
Identify threat detection and response strategies
Establish rapid recovery plans to minimize downtime

Whether it’s ransomware, a data breach, or another cyber event, our team ensures institutions can respond effectively and recover quickly.

6. Strengthening Collaboration with ISO and CIO Leadership

Effective cybersecurity requires collaboration across the institution. Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO services are designed to work alongside your existing leadership—not replace it.

We partner with:

Information Security Officers (ISO) to provide strategic direction, strengthen risk management, and align security initiatives with institutional goals.
Chief Information Officers (CIO) to ensure that cybersecurity measures support broader IT initiatives, from infrastructure modernization to emerging technology adoption.

By working in partnership with ISOs and CIOs, we create a unified, strategic cybersecurity approach that enhances resilience while supporting institutional priorities.

Why Higher Education Institutions Choose Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO Services

Higher education institutions face an increasing volume of cyber threats, making a strategic, multi-layered approach to cybersecurity essential. Columbia Advisory Group’s vCISO services provide:

Expert cybersecurity leadership tailored to higher education
Comprehensive GRC, risk management, and compliance solutions
Integrated security strategies that align with IT and institutional goals

Whether addressing vulnerabilities, securing the attack surface, or preparing for audits, our vCISO services provide a customized cybersecurity strategy that meets the unique challenges of higher education.

By partnering with your ISO and CIO, we ensure that cybersecurity is seamlessly integrated across all operations, creating a more secure, resilient, and future-ready institution.

Contact us today at columbiaadvisory.com/contact to learn how we can help your institution build a stronger cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex digital world.

Driving Efficiency with Configurable Application Solutions

Posted on January 29, 2025April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

Organizations can lose up to 30% of revenue annually due to inefficiencies in workflows and data management. At Columbia Advisory Group (CAG), we specialize in reversing this trend by delivering tailored solutions that streamline operations and drive measurable results that help maximize revenue capture. With a proven track record across sectors, CAG ensures scalable, future-ready solutions that deliver tangible value.

Solving Real-World Problems with Precision

CAG has consistently proven its capability to address key business challenges. Clients frequently face inefficiencies and manual, error-prone processes across various operational tasks. CAG tackles these challenges by developing systems that automate data collection, streamline workflows, and ensure seamless compliance at every level.

A recent success story highlights this impact:

The client needed a robust membership management program that worked across various regions, each with unique workflows and requirements. By developing a configurable solution using Salesforce, PowerBI, and DocuSign, CAG enabled the client to centralize and automate membership applications. Program administrators can now access dynamic dashboards, enabling real-time tracking and approval processes and ensuring seamless collaboration across departments.

A Strategic Approach to Application Optimization

CAG’s approach to problem-solving is built around a clear and structured workflow. The process starts by identifying the client’s needs and evaluating their current application stack. This ensures that any proposed solutions—optimizing existing tools or introducing new ones—are tailored to the organization’s goals and scalable for future growth.

Once the best solution is identified, CAG designs and implements systems that automate workflows and provide actionable insights through tools like PowerBI. User training and support are integral to ensure success, enabling clients to maximize their investment and achieve seamless cross-departmental efficiency.

Enhancing Decision-Making Through Applications

CAG’s solutions go beyond improving workflows—they provide a foundation for smarter decision-making. Organizations gain a unified view of their operations by implementing a centralized system of record. Automated processes eliminate redundancies, while cross-departmental collaboration improves overall efficiency.

Innovation on the Horizon

As government and education sectors increasingly adopt cloud-based solutions, Salesforce Government Cloud and Salesforce for Education are emerging as game-changers. These platforms offer unparalleled opportunities to modernize public sector processes, making it easier to automate operational tasks. By staying ahead of these trends, CAG ensures its clients remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Key Takeaways

CAG aims to deliver seamless and efficient application implementations that maximize organizational potential. Whether integrating cutting-edge tools or training end users, CAG prioritizes results that matter. With an experienced team and a client-centric approach, the firm helps organizations unlock the true value of their technological investments.

The NEW Telecom Analysis – Why Now?

Posted on August 23, 2023April 10, 2025 by John D'Annunzio

In an era of rapid technological progress, the telecommunications landscape is witnessing a seismic shift. Traditional analog services, which once dominated the scene, are making way for sophisticated digital and internet-centric solutions. The change is palpable, leading to challenges and golden opportunities for both consumers and businesses. Amidst these transitions, understanding and capitalizing on cost savings have never been more vital. Here’s a closer look at why it’s the perfect time for businesses to work closely with telecommunications cost analysts.

Decommissioning Analog Service

Major players in telecommunications are progressively sidelining analog services—phone lines, alarms, Centrex/Plexar services, and T-1 circuits. These systems, burdened with cumbersome infrastructures and meager data capacities, can’t hold a candle to modern digital counterparts.

As support for these services dwindles and prices escalate, it paints a clear picture: transition or face obsolescence. If your operations hinge on these services, swift action is paramount. Teaming up with a telecommunications cost analyst not only simplifies your migration to cost-effective digital solutions but also ensures tailored strategies for efficient expenditure.

The Diminishing E-Rate Funding Cushion

E-Rate funding, once the saving grace for many availing voice services, is changing its contours. Beneficiaries previously reaped the rewards of substantial discounts, facilitating quality services without breaking the bank. Sadly, that era is waning. With voice services losing their E-Rate funding eligibility, costs are skyrocketing.

This is where a rigorous telecom audit, guided by a cost analyst, comes into play. By meticulously evaluating and trimming excess services, businesses can achieve lean operations, ensuring they spend only on indispensable services.

The Contract Time Bomb

Engaging in long-term contracts with service providers has its merits—stability being chief among them. However, there’s an elephant in the room: the looming expiration date. Shockingly, some enterprises have seen costs balloon by up to 1,300% post-contract.

Such staggering hikes emphasize the significance of proactive renegotiation and exploration of competitive alternatives before a contract’s culmination. With telecom costs on an upward trajectory, strategizing in advance with an analyst ensures you harness the best service at the most competitive rates.

In Conclusion

As we bid adieu to analog and witness the waning of traditional funding mechanisms, the message is clear: adapt or face potential financial pitfalls. But navigating these turbulent telecom waters needn’t be overwhelming.

Our new era of telecom analysis is your guiding compass, designed to offer you the insights and strategies you need. Remember, it’s all about transitioning wisely, ensuring you achieve the best value for every dollar spent.

Don’t leave your telecom decisions to chance. Engage with a Telecom Consultant today. Review your bills, explore the potential of new broadband services, and steer clear of unexpected price surges. By making an informed decision now, you can unlock substantial savings for the future.

John D'Annunzio

SVP Business Development

About Columbia Advisory Group

Founded in Dallas in 2012, Columbia Advisory Group LLC (CAG) is an established IT consulting firm renowned for delivering cost-effective, meaningful, and practical IT solutions that solve complex business problems. Our seasoned teams offer comprehensive insight across diverse regulatory and economic environments, providing unbiased, straightforward analysis and recommendations. We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of IT while remaining software and hardware-agnostic. Regardless of your organization’s growth trajectory or economic landscape, we at CAG are adept at adapting to your unique needs and complexity, offering tailored solutions to drive your success.

Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.

Wi-Fi Security: How WPA3 Improves the Wi-Fi Security of Educational Institutions to Prevent New Phishing and Malware Attacks

Posted on June 15, 2023April 10, 2025 by Sameer Vitvekar

Securing Wi-Fi connections is indeed a critical step in protecting an organization’s network from malicious actors. By using WPA3, educational institutions can better protect their networks and the data transmitted over them. WPA3 provides enhanced encryption and authentication mechanisms, making it more difficult for threat actors to intercept and decrypt Wi-Fi traffic

With cloud-managed wireless architecture and the increasing use of IoT devices, many educational institutions today have various online functions. While it has its benefits, it also brings risks and challenges. Hence, wireless security has become highly significant. While passwords win you half the battle by ensuring authorized access, it does not secure the entire wireless network. Therefore, data encryption becomes crucial to determine the wireless network’s security. Besides, malicious actors are forever on the prowl to detect vulnerabilities in an institution’s wireless networks. Therefore, institutions need to implement robust wireless security controls, including but not limited to effective policies, standards, and protocols that can safeguard their valuable and sensitive information assets.

Know About Different Types of Wireless Security Protocols

Wireless security concerns data traffic over the air between wireless devices. It includes communications between wireless access points (APs) and the controller device and between the access points and the various endpoint devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. Generally, four encryption standards are prevalent in the industry.

● Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): WEP was the first encryption algorithm developed by Wi-Fi Alliance for the 802.11 standards. The primary objective was to prevent malicious actors from snooping on information assets transmitted between the APs and the clients. However, no one uses WEP protocols as they have become outdated.

● Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): WPA, an improvement on WEP, was more of an interim standard before developing a long-time replacement for WEP. While it uses the same RC4 encryption technology, it also uses Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) to improve WLAN functions.

● WPA2: The successor to WPA, WPA2 is also known as 802.11i and offers better encryption and security by using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Besides, it provides an advanced authentication mechanism, Counter Mode with Cipher-Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol (CCMP). However, this standard also supports TKIP for devices that do not support CCMP.

● WPA3: Wi-Fi Alliance introduced WPA3, an advanced version of WPA2, in 2018 as the most recent and secure security standard. It uses the latest security protocols, AES-128 and CCMP-128, and standardizes the 128-bit cryptographic suite to disallow obsolete security protocols.

How Does WPA3 Work?

WPA3 is a more advanced security protocol than WPA2 because it mandates the adoption of Protected Management Frames (PMF) to guard against eavesdropping and forging. In addition, while WPA2 uses AES-128 and CCMP-128. CCMP ensures better data confidentiality and message integrity by preventing unauthorized network users from accessing data. The WPA3 Enterprise mode offers optional 192-bit security encryption and advanced 48-bit IV protection for corporate, governmental, and financial information.

How is WPA3 Better than WPA2?

Though WPA2 is highly secure, it has a significant security flaw known as the key installation attack (KRACK) vulnerability. KRACK exploits the reinstallation of wireless encryption keys. Compared to WPA2 Personal, the Enterprise mode has a more robust authentication feature. However, the KRACK vulnerability affects all WPA2 implementations. WPA3 offers a more secure cryptographic handshake by replacing the PSK 4-way handshake with the more modern Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE). It is because SAE requires a new code with every interaction, replacing the reuse of encryption keys. In addition, SAE is an advanced mechanism because it allows the client or the AP to initiate contact as a one-off message instead of a multipart conversation. Since there is no open-ended communication between the client and the AP, WPA3 eliminates eavesdropping and forging. Such attacks usually occur on college campuses because of open Wi-Fi. WPA3 security eliminates these threats.

In addition, SAE flags users who exceed a specific number of password guesses. Therefore, it is more effective and makes the Wi-Fi network resistant to offline dictionary attacks. Since each connection requires a new encryption passphrase, it enables forward secrecy to prevent malicious actors from reusing a captured passcode to decrypt data. Thus, WPA3 safeguards the university’s data from threat actors. WPA3 works alongside Wi-Fi Easy Connect to simplify the onboarding process for IoT devices, especially those that do not have the QR code scan mechanism. In addition, the Wi-Fi Enhanced Open feature improves Wi-Fi network safety by using a new unique key to encrypt information between the AP and each client automatically.

Does WPA3 Have Any Vulnerabilities?

Research has shown that WPA3 has specific vulnerabilities, like the Dragonblood vulnerability. It is a downgrade attack where the malicious actor forces the device down to WPA2, exposing the network to offline dictionary attacks. However, software upgrades can mitigate these vulnerabilities, making WPA3 the most secure wireless protocol today.

The Dragonblood vulnerability is one drawback that can affect educational institutions more because of the higher number of floating network users. Malicious users can tweak the network and set the same Wi-Fi name for their smartphone internet connectivity.

Any unsecured device sharing the internet with such users can get deceived into thinking that it is connecting to the official Wi-Fi network of the university. This attack is an Evil Twin attack and can compromise vulnerable devices to make them unintentionally share confidential information with malicious actors. It happens because of the backward compatibility offered by WPA3. However, educational institutions can secure their systems by ensuring the use of robust passwords, securing admin accounts, and updating their network systems regularly.

How Can WPA3 Improve Wi-Fi Security?

So far, we have discussed how WPA3 overcomes the shortcomings of WPA2 and addresses concerns like the imperfect 4-way and the pre-shared key that expose enterprise networks to compromise. In addition, WPA3 provides excellent protection by making it more challenging to guess passwords. Here are some ways WPA3 can improve Wi-Fi security and prevent the latest AI-based phishing attacks on educational institutions and compromising student data.

● Protects network devices: WPA3 keeps your devices secure while connecting to a wireless AP because it replaces WPA2 pre-shared key technology with SAE. It averts key reinstallation attacks and defends against offline dictionary attacks.

● Protects passwords better: WPA3 enhances password strength by lengthening the encryption from 128-bits to 192-bits. Therefore, it becomes more challenging for malicious actors to crack passwords by guessing.

● Secures connections in public areas: WPA3 provides PMF to prevent eavesdropping and forging attacks in public places. Though malicious actors can get the traffic encryption keys, it is challenging to calculate traffic usage. In addition, since WPA3 offers the advantage of forward secrecy, it provides more data security over open networks, usually observed on university campuses.

The Way Forward – What Cybersecurity Teams Should Know about WPA3

WPA3 has proved to be the most secure internet connection protocol today. Following are the critical aspects that all CSOs should know about WPA3.

Mandatory: According to Wi-Fi Alliance, since July 01, 2020, all new Wi-Fi-certified devices must use WPA3. As a result, all the latest gadgets are WPA3 compliant, and it is no longer an option for enterprise networks to use other standards for new devices today.
Interoperable: Though all new devices must be WPA3 compliant, the technology is backward compatible. It is interoperable with WPA2-complaint devices.
Latest security protocols: Since all new devices must mandatorily support WPA3, the latest gadgets will be available with the most advanced security protocols.
No password reuse: WPA3 forces all user devices to save and encrypt their passwords on the AP and client side. Therefore, reusing passwords is out of the question.

As educational institutions rely more on technology for various aspects, securing wireless networks has become more critical. Weak Wi-Fi connections can leave educational institutions vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware infections, and other types of cyber threats, and malicious actors are constantly looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in Wi-Fi networks to gain unauthorized access and steal sensitive data.

Fortunately, the latest Wi-Fi security standard, WPA3, can help educational institutions strengthen their Wi-Fi networks and enhance their cybersecurity posture. WPA3 is designed to address the weaknesses of the previous versions of Wi-Fi security protocols and provides more robust encryption and authentication mechanisms. With the introduction of WPA3, educational institutions can better protect their networks and data against brute-force attacks or dictionary attacks.

Jason Claybrook

Strategic Consultant and Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP), Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP), Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)

About Columbia Advisory Group

Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.

Five Common IT Project Management Mistakes

Posted on June 1, 2023April 10, 2025 by Claude Bird

IT project management is complex, and mistakes are common. However, certain mistakes can have significant consequences, such as project delays, cost overruns, and even project failure. Over the next few blogs, I will discuss five common IT project management mistakes and provide a few insights that can help avoid some of the pitfalls. These discussions will include the following:
1. Poor Project Scope Definition
2. Inadequate Risk Management
3. Ineffective Communication
4. Deficient Resource Planning
5. Lack of Project Governance
This blog will focus on Poor Project Scope Define

Poor Project Scope Definition

Poor scope definition is one of the most common IT project management mistakes. Scope refers to the objectives, deliverables, and tasks that define the boundaries of a project. In other words, scope describes what, why, when, and budget of the project. Just imagine being told by your supervisor “go build a RED widget, and I need it tomorrow” … Where would you start?… You get the point? Failure to clearly define the scope of an IT project leads to unexpected outcomes, missed deadlines, cost overruns and maybe moreover a negative hit to your brand due to customer dissatisfaction. A clear scope definition ensures that the project objects are clearly understood by both the requester and the project team. It helps to create shared expectations between the parties and sets the boundaries of the project and prevents “scope creep”.

Scope Creep (also known as “requirement creep” or “feature creep”) happens when the key stakeholders continually change the requirements of the project over the project lifecycle. Please note that scope creep can also happen due to misunderstanding and miscommunication within the project team. That said, Scope Creep is not always a bad thing. Customer needs evolve over time and delivering a project that answers their needs often means altering the scope. Scope creep is, therefore, a reality that every good project manager expects and plans for and should be ready to control (Agile).

Now that we understand a bit better the downside of a poorly defined project definition, let’s look at some ways we can minimize the negative effects:

Involve stakeholders early in the project planning process. The sooner the better, having a understanding the “why” of the project will facilitate better understanding and make it easier to build consensus.
Clearly define the project objectives upfront and Write Down your deliverables. The project objectives should be written and serve as the contract between the stakeholders.
Define a change management process and enforce it. Let’s face it, no matter how well a project is defined, change will happen. A good It project manage will have an agreed upon change management process. As stated above, not all changes in a project’s lifecycle are bad.

Well defined project definition will help to reduce the overall project cost, it will facilitate on-time delivery, it will ensure quality, and paramount to it all ensure a satisfied customer. There are many books and whitepapers written on the importance of a good project scope definition. Below are a few resources should you want to do a bit more research on the topic:

Forbes Advisor – Scope Creep: Definition, Examples & How To Prevent It

Wrike – How to combat the 4 Main Sources of Scope Creep

Project Scope Management: A Practical Guide to Requirements for Engineering, Product, Construction, IT and Enterprise Projects (Best Practices in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management) (ISBN-10 1482259486)

Inadequate Risk Management

IT projects are inherently risky. Failure to adequately manage these risks can lead to delays, cost overruns, and even project failure. According to Kaplan and Fried, “risk is a part of everything. The key is to acknowledge it and face it head-on” (Kaplan and Fried, 2010).

To avoid inadequate risk management, IT project managers should identify potential risks early in the project planning process. This can be done through techniques such as brainstorming and risk mapping. Once risks have been identified, IT project managers should prioritize them based on their likelihood and impact on the project. Mitigation strategies should then be developed and implemented to reduce the likelihood and impact of these risks.

Poor Communication

Effective communication is critical to the success of any IT project. Failure to communicate effectively can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and project failure. According to Kaplan and Fried, “communication is key, but over-communication is even better” (Kaplan and Fried, 2010).

To avoid poor communication, IT project managers should establish clear lines of communication with stakeholders early in the project planning process. Regular project status updates should be provided to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, IT project managers should establish a communication plan that outlines the frequency and method of communication.

Inadequate Resource Planning

IT projects require a significant number of resources, including time, money, and personnel. Failure to adequately plan for these resources can lead to delays, cost overruns, and project failure. According to Kaplan and Fried, “resources are finite. Make sure you know what you need before you start” (Kaplan and Fried, 2010).

To avoid inadequate resource planning, IT project managers should conduct a thorough analysis of the resources required for the project. This can be done through techniques such as resource leveling and resource allocation. Additionally, IT project managers should develop a resource plan that outlines the required resources and their availability throughout the project lifecycle.

Poor Project Governance

Poor project governance is another common IT project management mistake. Governance refers to the framework of policies, procedures, and guidelines that ensure that a project is executed effectively and efficiently. Failure to establish proper project governance can lead to project failure.

According to Kaplan and Fried, “governance is a system of checks and balances” (Kaplan and Fried, 2010). In other words, proper project governance ensures that the project team is accountable for their actions and that the project is aligned with the needs of the business or stakeholders.

IT project management is a complex process that requires careful planning, execution, and monitoring. Common IT project management mistakes, such as poor communication, lack of planning, inadequate resource management, failure to manage risks, and poor team management, can lead to project failure. Project managers must be aware of these mistakes and take steps to avoid them. By doing so, they can increase the chances of project success and deliver quality IT projects on time, within budget, and with the highest quality.

Claude Bird

Project Management Office Lead

About Columbia Advisory Group

Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.

Redefining Outsourcing: Embracing the Future with Co-Managed Delivery

Posted on May 23, 2023April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

Outsourcing is a world where businesses attempt to walk the tightrope between cost savings and efficiency. As companies evolve and markets become more competitive, maintaining this balance becomes an intricate dance, particularly with the increasing complexity of technology infrastructure. This is where co-managed delivery of managed services comes into play – a hybrid solution that merges the benefits of in-house IT management and outsourced services. This blend offers businesses the perfect balance they’re seeking. Let’s delve into the advantages, role, and potential of co-managed delivery of managed services in reshaping the future of outsourcing.

Unpacking the Power of Co-Managed Delivery

Co-managed delivery strikes the ideal balance, incorporating outsourced service providers’ flexibility, experience, and cost savings with the control, ownership, and accountability intrinsic to in-house IT management. Consider these advantages:

Control and Ownership: With co-managed delivery, businesses can retain control over strategically important processes and resources, keeping ownership in-house while outsourcing non-core functions such as helpdesk support, security monitoring, network management, infrastructure management, and backup services.
Scalability: Since most managed services providers have the ability to scale resources up and down quickly, Co-managed delivery provides an adaptable model, enabling businesses to scale the scope and extent of services as needed to support seasonal increases or decreases in volume and capacity
Focus on Core Competencies: By taking non-core functions off their plate, businesses can zero in on their primary strengths and more effectively manage costs without compromising the quality and reliability of IT.

The Co-Management Partnership: Collaboration at Its Best

In a co-managed model, the IT provider acts as an ally, partnering with the business to share the responsibility and ownership of IT management. This calls for a collaborative approach in which the IT provider functions as an extension of the internal IT team, ensuring seamless integration and optimal resource utilization.

The Perks of Embracing Co-Managed Delivery

Embracing co-managed delivery of IT services is a strategic move that offers numerous benefits to organizations. This model, which combines the strengths of both in-house IT departments and managed service providers, is a robust solution for the dynamic needs of today’s businesses. One of the main perks is risk reduction. With expertise from external service providers, businesses can better manage IT risks and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The second is increased agility; the co-managed model allows organizations to adapt to changing needs swiftly, enabling them to scale operations up or down as required. Quality improvement is another major advantage, with managed service providers offering round-the-clock monitoring, response, and support, enhancing IT service reliability. Finally, the potential for cost savings is significant. Through optimal resource usage and leveraging the IT provider’s expertise and infrastructure, businesses can achieve substantial savings without compromising on the quality of their IT services.

Driving Factors Behind Co-Managed Delivery’s Popularity

The rise in co-managed delivery’s popularity is driven by several factors, including the escalating complexity of technology infrastructure, the quest for cost savings and efficiency, and the ongoing IT talent crunch. Co-managed delivery addresses these challenges by providing the expertise and resources businesses need, allowing them to focus on their core competencies.

The Future of Outsourcing: A Co-Managed Delivery Landscape

As businesses become more dependent on technology, the demand for a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective IT management model will only increase. Co-managed delivery is that model – a solution that optimizes IT infrastructure while maintaining control and accountability. It’s not just the new standard for outsourcing – it’s a win-win solution that positions businesses to achieve their strategic goals.

Co-managed delivery of managed services is indeed a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. By partnering with an IT provider in a co-management model, businesses can enhance the quality and reliability of their IT services, manage risk effectively, and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. As we look to a future that is increasingly technology-driven, co-managed delivery seems set to become the new norm. Are you ready to step into the future of outsourcing?

David McLaughlin

Chief Executive Officer, CAG

About Columbia Advisory Group

Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.

Why are Compliance and Related Controls so important in IT?

Posted on February 14, 2023April 10, 2025 by David McLaughlin

Policies and industry standards help to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. For example, higher education institutions must protect student data and financial information through FERPA and other regulations, healthcare organizations must comply with HIPAA regulations to protect patient information, and financial institutions must comply with PCI-DSS to protect credit card information. Compliance with these regulations helps prevent data breaches and other security incidents that could significantly harm individuals or organizations.

Maintaining compliance helps to protect organizations from financial and reputational damage. Failing to comply with regulations can result in significant fines and penalties and damage to the organization’s reputation. For example, organizations that fail to comply with GDPR can be fined up to 4% of their annual revenue or $20 million, whichever is greater.

Maintaining regulatory compliance also helps to ensure the proper functioning of IT systems and processes. For example, IT general controls such as change management and incident management help to ensure that changes to systems and processes are made, controlled, and authorized and that incidents are quickly identified and resolved. One of the biggest causes of a data breach is the failure to patch software systems, so many companies and institutions have policies and compliance controls to ensure this is done. This helps minimize the risk of system failures and other issues that disrupt business operations.

In summary, compliance and related IT controls are critical for protecting sensitive information, preventing financial and reputational damage, and ensuring the proper functioning of IT systems and processes.

Gartner and EDUCAUSE recognize this importance and have published several reports, papers, and studies on the topic. Gartner, for example, has published reports on IT risk management and compliance, as well as studies on developing a successful compliance program. EDUCAUSE has published several papers and guides on various compliance-related topics, such as data security and HIPAA compliance for higher education institutions. Both organizations offer a wealth of information, guidance, and best practices for organizations looking to improve their compliance and control practices.

About Columbia Advisory Group:
Columbia Advisory Group (CAG) is a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting firm. CAG’s team has assessed and helped improve the performance of more than 300 technology organizations and IT departments, including many higher education institutions, state agencies, and Fortune 50 customers. Practice specialty areas include Infrastructure, IT Service Management, Cybersecurity, and A/V Services. CAG improves business outcomes with IT insights and expert technical support. Based in Dallas, Texas, CAG works extensively with clients throughout the U.S. Contact us at info@columbiaadvisory.com.

David McLaughlin

CEO