Welcome to the Control-Alt-Secure podcast! In this episode, host Valentina Flores (CEO of Red Sentry) sits down with Richard Frederick, founder and CEO of Strategic All Source Intelligence, to uncover the hidden risks of your digital footprint.

We dive deep into:

What your digital footprint really is—and why it matters more than ever
How hackers and threat actors weaponize open source intelligence (OSINT) against individuals and organizations
The most overlooked ways companies expose themselves online
Real-world strategies for managing and reducing your attack surface
The role of pen testing, cloud security, and continuous monitoring in modern cyber defense
Actionable tips for building cyber resiliency and protecting your reputation

Whether you’re a business leader, IT professional, or just want to stay safe online, this episode is packed with insights you can use right away.

🔗 Connect with Richard Frederick for more on intelligence and risk advisory services.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more cybersecurity conversations!

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Are your company’s backups really as safe—and as restorable—as you think? Or are you just hoping someone, somewhere, has it all covered?

This week, Red Sentry CEO Valentina Flores welcomes backup and disaster recovery expert Cathy Miron (CEO of eSilo) for a reality check on one of the most misunderstood (and neglected) pillars of cybersecurity. Together, they demystify how backups actually work, what most companies get wrong, and why a “set it and forget it” approach is a recipe for disaster.

In this episode:
• What’s really required for a modern backup and disaster recovery strategy (and why it’s more than just clicking ‘save’)
• Why backups fail when you need them most, and how to avoid common mistakes
• The difference between compliance checkboxes and true business resilience
• Ransomware, immutability, the “3-2-1 rule,” and other backup best practices explained—minus the jargon
• How to test your plan (before a disaster strikes) and why tabletop exercises are your best friend
• The dangers of assuming your IT team, MSP, or cloud provider has you covered
• Recovery point objective, recovery time objective, and what actually matters when you’re staring down downtime

Whether you’re in the cloud, on-prem, or somewhere in between, you’ll learn why backup and recovery need to be at the core of your security and business continuity plan—not an afterthought.

If you don’t know exactly how your backups work (or if they work at all), this episode is a must-listen. Don’t wait for an attack or accident to test your recovery plan. Start now.

Subscribe for more real-world cybersecurity conversations—practical, honest, and focused on what actually keeps your business running.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:31 Cathy Miron's Background and eSilo's Evolution
02:50 Importance of Backups and Recovery in Cybersecurity
03:42 Business Continuity and Resiliency Planning
07:06 Common Misconceptions and Overconfidence in Backups
16:56 Ransomware and the Importance of Immutability
27:00 Cloud Backups and Vendor Risk Management
30:42 Future of Backup and Recovery
33:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this insightful episode, Red Sentry CEO Valentina Flores sits down with Brian Guenther from Exceed to break down the essentials of a successful cybersecurity journey. From understanding critical certifications to navigating the latest CMMC updates, they share actionable advice and industry insights to help businesses stay compliant and ready to operate in today’s threat landscape.

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Valentina Flores, CEO of Red Sentry, sits down with Rob Petrosino to explore the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Together, they discuss how AI is transforming industries and provide practical insights on adopting AI securely in the workplace. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a business leader, this episode offers valuable perspectives on staying ahead in the AI-driven future.

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In this episode, Valentina Flores, CEO of Red Sentry, sits down with Chris Bollig, a cyber insurance expert from Bellrock Insurance, to discuss the essential role of cyber insurance in today’s threat landscape.

As cyberattacks become more frequent and complex, businesses must focus on prevention and be prepared for the financial fallout of potential breaches. Valentina and Chris dive into real-world scenarios, exploring how cyber insurance policies can provide critical support, mitigate risks, and ensure continuity when the unexpected happens.

They also share practical tips for selecting the right policy, understanding coverage options, and aligning your cybersecurity strategy with insurance requirements.

This episode is a must-listen for business owners and cybersecurity professionals looking to fortify their defenses and secure their organization’s future.

Find more about Red Sentry.

In this episode, Valentina Flores, CEO of Red Sentry, sits down with Samir Black, CEO of Data Pros Consulting, to explore the critical world of Incident Response.

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, organizations must be prepared to detect, respond, and recover from attacks efficiently. Valentina and Samir dive into real-life examples, sharing their expert advice on building a resilient incident response plan and discussing the key steps businesses can take to safeguard their data and reputation.

This is a must-listen for cybersecurity professionals and business owners looking to stay ahead of evolving threats.

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In this episode of the Ctrl-Alt-Secure Podcast, host Valentina Flores and special guest Weston Weil delve into the often overlooked but critically important topic of hardware cybersecurity.

Join us as we explore the significance of safeguarding hardware and the impact of data storage decisions on overall security. Don't miss this insightful discussion filled with valuable insights and expert perspectives. Tune in now and enhance your understanding of hardware security.

https://www.redsentry.com/

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Join host and CEO, Valentina Flores, Medical Device Academy Inc. President and FDA compliance expert, Rob Packard, and in-house leading penetration tester, Andrés Peña, as they take a deep dive into medical device cybersecurity.

Learn more about how the healthcare industry suffers from common gaps in medical device security and how education can be pivotal in its prevention.

Find more about Red Sentry.