In this episode of Growing Your Business with Buddy Broyles, host Buddy Broyles interviews Craig Leikis, founder of Nerdworks Services, LLC . Drawing on over 30 years of IT experience, Craig explains how Nerdworks supports small-to-midsize businesses—from solo entrepreneurs to co-managed IT teams—by delivering enterprise-grade cybersecurity and tailored managed IT services .
The conversation highlights real-world security interventions, including stopping a $700,000 wire transfer fraud scheme as well as 24/7 network monitoring, email security, and end-user security awareness training . Craig also shares his balanced perspective on AI in the workplace, emphasizing how companies can leverage AI tools for efficiency while establishing strict guardrails around data privacy and sensitive information .
Contact:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleikis/
https://www.facebook.com/nerdworks.services
Key Takeaways
Accessible IT for Small Businesses: Nerdworks specializes in serving micro-businesses and small firms (starting as small as 1–2 employees) that lack internal technical expertise but require robust cybersecurity.
Flexible Support Models: Services scale from serving as a complete outsourced IT department to co-managing operations alongside an existing, stressed in-house IT professional .
Rapid Cyber Fraud Intervention: Craig highlights a case study where his team performed a forensic investigation on compromised email logs, successfully thwarting a $700,000 fraudulent real estate wire transfer .
Multi-Layered Security Stack: Comprehensive defense includes firewalls, behavior-monitoring antivirus software capable of isolating infected devices in real time, and email identity protection .
End-User Security Education: Employee training is central to security; monthly video modules and phishing simulations help staff recognize threats and follow strong password practices .
Balanced AI Implementation: AI can streamline internal workflows and problem-solving, but companies must maintain human oversight (e.g., prohibiting automated emails or phone calls) .
Critical AI Privacy Guardrails: Businesses need clear AI policies to prevent sensitive, proprietary, or personally identifiable information (PII) from being ingested into public AI training models .
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#CyberSecurity
#ManagedIT
#SmallBusinessSupport
#ITServices
#TechLeadership
#BusinessGrowth
#DataPrivacy
#Nerdworks
#GrowingYourBusiness
#PodcastEpisode
Cybersecurity, Managed IT Services, Small Business IT, Data Protection, Phishing Prevention, IT Infrastructure, AI Policy, Network Security, Tech Advisor, Craig Leikis
