[03:20] Tell us about Gecko Robotics.

I joined last December, and the company started as a college project. The founder was on-site at a refinery, trying to understand how to solve issues. Now, we are a company protecting critical infrastructure and creating safe environments while minimizing or preventing downtime.

[04:45] Can you give us an example of robotics and what they do?

These robots have magnetic wheels, and they scale piping, pressure systems, etc. They use ultrasonic technology to create readings that will allow clients to see where maintenance needs to take place.

[05:45] How did they do this before?

It was all manual. They would use a handheld device and go through a grid and scan. Our robots can cover much more surface area and get more data.

[06:45] How did you join Gecko Robotics?

I’ve been in IT for 22 years, and I wanted to work in something where you could work in any industry, and that is what IT is. I’ve worked in retail, government contracts, and autonomous vehicles. From there, working in development and engineering to meet deadlines. Then, I looked at further high-tech ventures tackling real-world issues in my backyard. I wanted to help them achieve their goals.

[09:30] What does IT in robotics involve?

Coming out of a start-up environment, it’s been setting up groundwork and processes to allow employees to hit the ground running. Our engineers and developers aren’t there to be installing desktops.

[11:35] I assume you do not only do support, but security and infrastructure too.

Yes, but we are separating that now as we grow. I don’t believe cyber security should live inside IT, because that is a higher power and what I answer to.

[13:28] When you worked in healthcare, did they have separate security?

They reported directly to the Board of Directors and not the CIO. We worked alongside them, but the reporting structure was different.

[14:40] How do you implement and enforce security checks and balances?

Compliance is typically the driver. Depending on what you need to meet, you have an internal or external audit. IT is huge, and that’s why there needs to be a separation. Customers are often helping to drive security.

[21:50] I saw that you are a volunteer in IT for the fire department.

I come from a small community and like to give back wherever possible. Support can be expensive. I help with lots of things around the community when I can.

[24:06] What is your experience in security in the healthcare sector?

It was mostly set up already when I began. I still learned things from that experience about confidentiality, etc.

[25:06] How do you apply what you learned then to what you are doing now?

Being through compliance assessments, I know the process and what’s required. Being prepared and making it an efficient process is important.

[26:30] Have you had to do a lot of document and policy writing?

In my current role, yes. I’ve just created a systems security plan from scratch for the first time.

[28:48] What do you wish people knew about what you do?

The culture is so refreshing. I came in expecting a little bit of a fight, but I was welcomed and they are open to help.

[31:45] What does an open culture do for the organization?

It allows IT to get down to the root of issues. It allows us to ask what we can do for you to improve things.

[37:10] Can you talk about reducing shadow IT?

At Gecko, no one is maliciously doing anything. They just want to get their jobs done. It’s about steering people into the best use cases for the company.

[39:00] Have you seen shadow IT based on mis-prioritization, staffing, etc.?

Yes, that’s usually where I’ve seen it.  In mergers, non-conforming and such. It’s frustrating, but without standardization, there’s chaos.

[43:55] How have you seen IT change over your career?

Everything comes back full circle. We went from mainframes and on-site to cloud storage, and I think we are heading back to onsite again. Cloud isn’t as bulletproof as we used to think.

[49:55] What do you think the future of IT looks like?

End users are more educated. I see services becoming even more customer service based. Fewer people have to be super deep, and rather more like mechanics that can fix anything that way.