Cybersecurity is a top priority for many organizations today, but it’s a complex topic that can be difficult to navigate if you don’t have a dedicated team of professionals to help. At TPx, our goal is to make IT and cybersecurity easy for the businesses we work with, and we wouldn’t be able to do that without our dedicated and passionate team of IT professionals.
Since October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight one of our TPx employees who has made a big impact on our security business, David Carr, Vice President, Solutions Architects at TPx. David joined TPx nearly three years ago and has played an integral role in developing and evolving our Security Advisory Services, which help organizations gain a better understanding of their risk and current state of cybersecurity. We had a chance to sit down with David to learn more about his experiences and insights. Read on to learn what David had to say.
What led you to work at TPx?
I was very attracted to the idea of joining an organization that was looking to reinvent itself, to build something new. The chance to support our transition into a full-fledged MSP, as well to develop an Advisory Services practice in support of that, was too good an opportunity to pass up.
What does your role entail at TPx?
My primary role is to guide the work of the Solution Architect team, which provides pre-sale technical support to the Sales organization. I’m especially interested in fostering an environment that enables the team to grow technically and professionally, to allow TPx to provide the best possible technical solutions for our customers’ needs. I’m also responsible for the execution and evolution of our Advisory Services portfolio. Cybersecurity is one of the largest challenges that organizations face today – our Advisory offerings enable them to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their security footprint, and how best to allocate their tight security budgets to stay safe against ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
How does the work your team does impact our mission of being the easiest MSP to do business with?
Technology can be complex. Being able to translate business-level requirements into technical solutions that address customer pain is what my team is all about. Many of our customers do not have large technical teams to help them navigate the IT and security landscapes. They rely on us to recommend solutions, but just as importantly, to explain those solutions in language that they can understand. Eliminating the technical jargon and speaking in terms of business outcomes makes it easier for them to make informed decisions about how to spend their limited budgets.
With October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, what advice can you give business leaders to strengthen their organization’s security posture?
There is a lot of talk in the industry about “zero trust” and how to build security architectures around that. Even if a zero trust technical architecture is not in their immediate future, business leaders can instill a mindset of a “zero trust” approach to security within their teams. Fortunately, there a low-cost ways to do this. Educating employees through a robust Security Awareness Training program in an excellent way to do this. Deploying multi-factor authentication (MFA) across the organization is another. This doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated – sometimes ensuring a strong security foundation provides the biggest impact.
Which accomplishments at TPx are you most proud of?
The development and growth of our Advisory Services portfolio to complement our Managed Services offerings has been just one of the high points. The way that the delivery team embraced the early uncertainty as we built from the ground up was especially inspiring. To get from there to where we are now, with a solid and growing Advisory Services business, is a testament to the hard work of innumerable people here at TPx, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we have put in place.
What do you enjoy about working at TPx?
The people, both within our organization and our valued customers and partners. In the tech industry, it’s not just about the technology itself, but how it’s harnessed to solve real business problems. I have a special affinity for our work with SMBs, where we have the opportunity to provide innovative solutions that they might not have even known were possible. It’s the satisfaction of making a tangible impact on our clients’ success that truly sets TPx apart.
What has made the biggest impact on your professional life?
The most significant influence on my professional journey has been the guidance and mentorship I’ve been fortunate to receive. Having a trusted mentor who can provide honest insights into both my strengths and weaknesses has been invaluable. This has helped me address my shortcomings and enabled me to build teams that complement my strengths effectively.
How do you mentor your employees?
As a mentor, I prioritize fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within my team. I encourage team members to take ownership of their professional development, providing guidance while also granting them the autonomy to manage and solve challenges independently. This hands-on approach instills a sense of responsibility and leadership, empowering them to make decisions and contribute effectively.
Accessibility and open communication are key to my mentoring style. I’m always available to my team, creating an environment where they feel comfortable approaching me with questions, ideas, or concerns. My aim is to support their growth, both professionally and personally, and empower them to reach their full potential within our organization.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you and why is it important?
To me, DEI means recognizing and valuing the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of every individual. By fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we tap into a wealth of creativity and innovation, we are able to better serve our customers, and can foster a culture of belonging and growth that benefits us all. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s a cornerstone of our success.
What’s the one topic you never get tired of learning about?
For some reason – and this may be weird – etymology. When I hear an expression I’ve never heard before, I wonder where it came from, and what it originally meant. Usually the way we use it today isn’t the same way it was originally intended.
What does your perfect weekend look like?
My perfect weekend can take many forms, but it usually involves good food, discovering a new movie, watching a baseball game, and hiking in the fresh air. It’s perfect as long as I’m with loved ones.