Most small and mid-sized businesses are flying blind in cybersecurity — and cybercriminals know it. In this eye-opening episode of Firewall Fridays, Dom Vogel reveals the shocking risks lurking in overlooked vulnerabilities, and how a simple mindset shift can save your organization millions.

You’ll discover why ignoring cyber threats is like driving without insurance, and how some companies are unknowingly risking contracts worth millions by neglecting basic security measures. Dom breaks down the three major blind spots hampering SMBs: surviving a breach, weak cyber insurance practices, and supply chain vulnerabilities. He shares real-world stories — from the construction firm with outdated backups to the law firm with a server not even plugged in — that expose just how easy it is to fall into costly cyber traps.

You’ll learn exactly how to prioritize cybersecurity in a way that directly impacts your bottom line. We dive into practical tactics like leveraging cloud platforms for automatic security, understanding the true cost of outdated hardware and software, and asking the right questions about your vendor and security posture. The stakes are high, but the opportunity to protect your business, reputation, and revenue has never been clearer.

If you're a small business owner or executive feeling overwhelmed by cybersecurity myths and hidden dangers, this episode is your wake-up call. Dom’s straightforward advice will help you cut through the noise and make smarter, less risky decisions today. Because in cybersecurity, ignorance is costly — but awareness can be your greatest asset.

Join us and turn cybersecurity from a nerve-wracking expense into a strategic advantage. Perfect for anyone who wants to stop flying blind and start safeguarding their future.

Host:

Kevin Evans

Unlock the hidden secrets behind building successful tech startups in Alberta. Discover how a seasoned CTO and a passionate founder are transforming the way founders bring their ideas to life — faster, smarter, and more cost-effectively. If you're a founder, innovator, or tech enthusiast feeling overwhelmed by complexity or unsure where to start, this episode will change how you approach your next big idea.

Join our community!

When founders rush into app development without understanding costs, security, or real needs, they risk costly failures and missed opportunities. Rhea and Al reveal how a new approach—powered by AI-driven tools, tailored advisory, and industry-specific insights—can save thousands of dollars and years of frustration. They share concrete stories of projects rescued from the brink, beginner developers launched into careers, and how Alberta’s thriving ecosystem can support your success.

You’ll discover:

• The truth about how AI is revolutionizing project estimates and requirement gathering, slashing development costs by up to 75%.
• Why security and compliance should be baked in from day one, not added as an afterthought—and how to do it without breaking the bank.
• The importance of validating your idea with real customer interest before building, and the best ways to test demand without wasting resources.
• Practical tools like a cost calculator that’s already saving startups thousands, plus strategies to create a proprietary business advantage using custom software.
• Success stories of founders who bypassed the pitfalls common in the startup scene—saving money, speeding time to market, and gaining real competitive edge.

In this episode, Kevin is joined by Rea Hailley, co-founder of New Idea Machine, and Al Del Degan, CTO with decades of experience in coding, AI, and startup support. They leverage Alberta’s unique innovation landscape and global tech advances to empower founders with essential knowledge and tools. Whether you're early stage or scaling up, this is your playbook for turning ideas into impactful, scalable businesses.

In this episode, Kevin Evans and Chris Ayers explore how modern engineering teams are building and operating AI platforms using automation, agent-based orchestration, and developer tooling.

Join our community!

They discuss practical approaches to managing Azure AI SDKs, automating documentation and infrastructure design, and integrating tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Claude into real development workflows. The conversation dives into agent frameworks, orchestration loops, responsible AI considerations, and how DevOps and platform teams can safely scale AI-driven automation.

This episode is ideal for architects, platform engineers, DevOps professionals, and developers looking to improve productivity and adopt AI-first workflows without losing control, security, or reliability.

Repos:

https://github.com/kevinevans1/genai_wiki

https://github.com/codetocloudorg/azure-agentic-engineering