National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Courtney Jackson Q&A for Cyber Solutions

Paragon Cyber Solutions LLC is a cybersecurity and IT services firm specializing in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions. Led by a seasoned entrepreneur, Courtney Jackson, the company offers tailored services to businesses in highly regulated industries, particularly federal contractors. With a focus on excellence and talent development, Paragon has successfully overcome challenges and established itself as a trusted provider of cybersecurity solutions.

Interviewee: Courtney Jackson | Founder & CEO, Paragon Cyber Solutions

Q: What are the most common cybersecurity threats that businesses face today?

A: Ransomware attacks are common and frequent for businesses.  These attacks can cripple operations by encrypting important company data and holding it for ransom, which can result in significant financial loss, and damage a company’s reputation. 

 Phishing attacks are very common and are often a bad actors way of gaining access to business systems and networks by impersonating a person or business.  These attacks appear legitimate which makes them highly effective and dangerous.

Insider threat comes from within an organization, either through malicious intent or negligence.  Employees, contractors, or business partners who have access to sensitive information can cause security breaches, either intentionally or accidentally. 

Q: How do you see the cybersecurity landscape evolving in the next few years?

A: I foresee the cybersecurity landscape evolving significantly in the next few years due to rapid technological advancements and an increase in sophisticated cyber threats.  There will likely be an increased use of AI and Machine Learning (ML).  For defense, AI and ML will help identify and respond to threats in real-time.  For attacks, cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI and ML to launch more sophisticated and targeted attacks.

Additionally, there will likely be an increased focus on Zero Trust Architecture implementation as opposed to the traditional perimeter-based security model that’s becoming obsolete over time.  Lastly, Quantum Computing could break current encryption algorithms, making traditional cryptographic methods obsolete.

Q: What are Paragon Cyber Solutions LLC's core services and offerings?

A: Our core service offerings include Cybersecurity, Information Technology (IT), and Training. 

Our Cybersecurity services primarily involve Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).  We conduct security assessments and audits to help companies identifies weaknesses and create compliance roadmaps to strengthen their security and meet their business goals.  For companies with limited security staff, we provide virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services on a retainer basis.

Specific to the federal government, we are an authorized Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO).  Once mandated, we can conduct CMMC assessment for federal contractors to meet certification and compliance requirements.  We also specialize in helping government contractors with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process by achieving Approvals to Operate (ATOs). 

 Our IT services include system administration / engineering, network administration, and configuration management.

 Our specialized military training includes software our Prime work supporting the Navy Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) with Instructional System Design and Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES).

Additionally, I offer 1-1 “Ask Me Anything” calls to answer burning questions surrounding entrepreneurship, government contracting, CMMC, and cybersecurity.  My calls are tailored to what my customer wants to discuss with custom advice and guidance.  I am also finalizing the details for my 'Gateway to Entrepreneurship' accelerator program which I am very excited to share with budding entrepreneurs!

Q: How do you identify and target your ideal customer segment?

A: We identify and target our ideal customer segments by leveraging a strategic, data-driven approach including but not limited to: industry focus, needs assessment, and relationship building.

Specific to industry focus, we specialize in cybersecurity, information technology, and training services, with a keen focus on businesses operating within highly regulated industries, including federal contractors and government agencies. This naturally directs us toward organizations that must meet stringent compliance requirements, such as CMMC certification. For needs assessments, we conduct thorough market research to identify the unique pain points and regulatory challenges that companies in these sectors face. By staying ahead of evolving security standards, we ensure that our solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses that require advanced cybersecurity protections and IT services. Relationship building is extremely important for us to foster strong relationships by executing in excellence with integrity and honor.

Q: What marketing channels and strategies have been most effective for acquiring new customers?

A: To date our growth has been organic resulting from a relationship, a referral, and working with our customers to identify and address their pain points.  This year we launched a marketing effort that includes social media, and our team attends relevant events / conferences. 

Q: What challenges did you face when starting and growing Paragon Cyber Solutions LLC?

A: Entrepreneurship has not been a smooth road. The awards and accolades are externally visible, but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes and in my daily work which leads to that. My initial challenge was starting a new government contracting company with no experience under my business name. I had many years of experience as a federal contractor, but it was obtained while working for other companies.

When I launched Paragon, I essentially started from scratch despite my relevant years of work experience, degrees, and certifications. I did not have a mentor at that time to provide guidance or strategy, so I learned as much as I could by doing the work, online research, and networking. I started small with freelance contracts to generate revenue and experience (e.g. past performance) under my business name. I reinvested what I earned into my business as I did not take a salary the first several years. While I was performing commercial (non-government) work, I was researching government contracting trends and different set-asides that I could pursue. I eventually received a business introduction that landed me a temporary two-month position on a local government contract. Within that short timeframe, I achieved a significant milestone for the customer which turned my temporary contract into a full-time annual one, that eventually turned into Paragon’s first government contract.

Another struggle has been as a minority woman in a male dominated field. I've dealt with imposter syndrome and people’s assumptions that I was not as tech savvy or intelligent as my male counterparts. Admittingly, it took me a while to find my voice but once I did, I continued to excel in my career and uplift other women in the field on their journeys.

Q: How have you addressed the talent gap in the cybersecurity industry?

A: We have a Florida Department of Labor approved Cybersecurity apprenticeship program that helps people with interest in cybersecurity gain real-world hands-on work experience.  As an approved Department of Defense (DoD) Skill Bridge employer, we assist active-duty military members by providing real world cybersecurity experience, in addition to networking and community opportunities.  We also support the Hiring our Heroes (HoH) program, active duty and spouses, with work experience and potential job placement.  

Q: What are your plans for scaling the business and expanding into new markets?

A: In addition to our organic growth path, we are investing more in business development and full lifecycle proposals.  This year we added resources to our team to help support those efforts, in addition to increased marketing.

Q: How do you differentiate Paragon Cyber Solutions LLC from competitors in the cybersecurity market?

A: Paragon stands for a model of excellence which is what we deliver to our customers through our work and partnerships. I bootstrapped the business without mentorship, guidance, or financial investment, and built it to a 20+ employee company (still growing).  We have internal processes to ensure thorough work is done, deliverables are met, and that we exceed our customer expectations.  As the CEO I am accessible and as a small business, we are agile with the ability to shift as necessary in support of our customer’s mission and the warfighter.

There are a lot of options when it comes to employees, companies, etc. I feel it’s important to give 110% in our work to stand out above our competitors and achieve new heights. Having a strong work ethic is embedded in my core and something I look for in my team members.

Q: Can you share a success story of a client who benefited significantly from your cybersecurity services?

A: One of our clients had to achieve ISO 27001 for a big contract they were planning to pursue but they did not have any security policies, processes, or procedures in place. I worked closely with their leadership and technical team to build out their company-wide Information Security Management System (ISMS) which resulted in zero findings for their ISO 27001 certification.

GetGreen: Turning Sustainability Awareness into Action

Brian Ringer, a longtime advocate for sustainability, aims to inspire tangible action against climate change by closing the gap between awareness and implementation. Ringer and his co-founder, Jed Stafford, graduated from the Tampa Bay Innovation Center Climate Tech Cohort in spring 2023. Residing in Seattle, Ringer shares exciting news and updates on his climate-tech venture. 

Interviewee: Brian Ringer | Founder & CEO, GetGreen

Q: Can you give a brief overview of GetGreen? 

A: GetGreen is dedicated to empowering organizations and their employees to combat the climate crisis. We help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and engage employees in sustainable practices. Our customizable mobile app guides users through various eco-friendly actions. We’ve recently expanded by collaborating with cities and universities, turning intentions into actions among students, and residents as well. Our goal is to turn awareness into action, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. 

Q:Who is your ideal user/customer? 

A: Our ideal customer is a sustainability-conscious company or institution that wants to empower their team with ideas and actions that will positively impact their community and our planet. They’re likely already taking steps toward a greener lifestyle and are looking for tools to further their efforts. We are focused on working with universities and cities that have specific sustainability goals. These organizations are committed to reducing their overall carbon footprint and want to engage their communities in sustainable practices. By driving significant behavioral changes, GetGreen is positioning itself as a unique and effective activation and engagement tool within the sustainability space, which is a unique solution for this industry. 

Q: What are the biggest challenges you faced in developing or launching your product/service? 

A: By engaging extensively with our stakeholders and users, using techniques learned from the TBIC program, we’ve incorporated valuable feedback to refine our app’s design. This collaborative product market fit approach has enabled us to understand user behavior and preferences, leading to a more customizable and effective platform. We realized the more we customize the application, the more effective and engaging it will be. Initially we only had one version of the app, but once we saw how customization improved engagement, we were able to make it more personalized for the user's experience. 

Q: Tell us about the growth of your product? 

A: GetGreen for Enterprises started with a pilot project in Duluth, Minnesota, through which we gained valuable insights into customer discovery and refined our product. This process led us to identify an unserved market opportunity, sustainability engagement for cities and universities. Within a year, we've expanded our partnerships and launched over twenty customer versions of our app. Our focus on customer needs and continuous adaptation has fueled significant growth, and we're confident in our ability to deliver tailored solutions for our clients. 

We moved beyond traditional carbon accounting tools, focusing on facilitating immediate climate action, which has resonated with our target audience. We’ve now expanded one step further, allowing companies to tell their sustainability story through sponsorships in our community app versions.  This has helped promote more sustainability initiatives as well as generate revenue. Inspired by TBIC's advice, we've identified opportunities to collaborate with large corporations seeking to enhance their sustainability branding and reach a wider audience. We are really listening to what our customers want to ensure we are building this in the right direction.

Q: What inspired you to start this company? 

A: Our team's long standing passion for sustainability stems from a shared concern about the climate crisis. Witnessing the growing impact of climate change, we recognized the urgent need for individual action. My experience as a CTO and sustainability leader led me to believe that empowering employees could be a powerful catalyst for positive change. I saw firsthand how excited our employees were when they were able to be engaged with, not just observers to, company sustainability initiatives and to take action. 

Q: How do you see your product/service fitting into the larger tech landscape? 

A:As a SaaS company, we offer a subscription-based platform that’s designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective. Our app is fun to use, sort of like a Duolingo for sustainability. We’ve been able to leverage the power of new AI tools to make the app even more personalized for our users. The timing has been really fortunate for us, there are great AI capabilities for our platform to remain at the forefront of technological advancements. My own background and degrees are in AI, so it's great to see how it's evolved and grown over the years and be able to plug in these solutions inside our app. The rate of change we are seeing with AI is huge and it will continue to accelerate. 

Q: How do you differentiate yourself from competitors? 

A: GetGreen differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive platform that empowers both individuals and organizations to reduce their carbon emissions. Our platform is designed to be accessible and engaging, providing tailored recommendations and fostering community involvement. While there are existing carbon footprint calculators and accounting tools, they don’t drive actual behavior change and emissions reductions, although we are seeing some emerge now, primarily in Europe. 

Q: What is your funding strategy? 

A: GetGreen has primarily grown through bootstrapping and early-stage angel investments. While we've benefited from grants, our revenue stream from satisfied customers has been instrumental in our development. We plan to explore further capital raising opportunities in the coming months to support our continued growth and expansion.

Q: What are some exciting trends you see in your industry and how are you capitalizing on them? 

A:We're closely monitoring emerging trends in AI and the potential applications in the climate space. One notable trend is the increasing integration of AI into sustainability solutions. This technology can enhance data analysis, optimize resource allocation, and personalize user experiences. As climate awareness continues to grow, we're witnessing a positive trend towards sustainable practices across various industries. We're proud to collaborate with like-minded organizations, including small thrift stores to larger companies like Coca-Cola, to create a more sustainable future. There are a lot more sustainable products and offerings now for customers, which is great to see.

Q:What is a surprising fact about your company or product? 

A: Our platform has garnered significant interest from green organizations on campus, particularly for its use in engaging students through contests and challenges. This high level of engagement has been great to see. Universities have been a great fit for us, reaching users who are both climate and mobile native. 

A lot of people don’t know our team resides all over the world. We have members across the United States, from Seattle to Minnesota to California, and in Argentina and Portugal. University interns have also been huge for us, working across everything from content creation to app design. As a virtual company with a global workforce, we're showcasing a successful model for remote collaboration and effective climate initiatives.

Q: What has been the biggest accomplishment for your team so far?

A: Overcoming the challenges of bootstrapping and successfully identifying our market niche has been a significant accomplishment. Our ability to rapidly develop and fully deploy new customers now, within days or weeks, is a result of the significant technology of our backend contest system. This system is a testament to our team's expertise and development experience.

Q:What advice would you give first time startup founders? 

A: I have hours of advice! First, prioritize customer discovery and validation early in your entrepreneurial journey. Focus on understanding your target market's needs, preferences, and willingness to pay before investing heavily in development. Second, defining your company's core values and vision will provide a strong foundation for making strategic decisions on who you work with to build your business.

Q: Do you have any upcoming milestones or announcements you would like to share? 

A: A lot is happening with GetGreen these days. This fall we are launching the second  largest single-county rollout to date with Arlington County in Virginia, along with an aquarium in California, a company in Chicago, and returning to the University of Miami and University of Washington for campus-wide rollouts in October for Campus Sustainability Month. And we have more University programs we’re working on, including the University of Tampa. We are also introducing our first version of GetGreen for high schools.

Q: Anything else you would like to share? 

A: We're actively seeking partnerships with the HR departments or sustainability officers of organizations that align with our mission and can leverage our platform to promote their sustainability initiatives. Our existing partnerships often stem from personal connections, such as our collaboration withUniversity of Tampa facilitated by TBIC. We’re actively looking for additional sustainability sponsors for the University of Tampa version in the Tampa Bay area right now.