Along with today’s huge advancements in IT and networking industries, such as cloud computing and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), come ever more sophisticated hacking and security threats. A minor malfunction in a company’s networking system, or a cyber security break-in can compromise trade secrets, sometimes even bringing a business to its knees.

With over 25 years experience in IT, Werner Schmidt knows these threats and the dangers they pose. As President and CEO of the networking security company Altaware, Inc., Schmidt offers enterprises nationwide services for storing and securing information, enabling data recovery and loss prevention. “We provide enterprises great DNS solutions and security products along with policies and services to make sure those solutions are utilized,” said Schmidt. 

Cloud computing – the growing trend toward using remote servers over the Internet – is gaining popularity. By allowing employees access to data through many different entry points, companies increase accessibility while decreasing IT time. However, Schmidt is not convinced that cloud computing is immune to the dangers of security compromise. “Federations of clouds, to me, are a big problem along with proper security availability and performance monitoring. Even if you use clouds, they still require addressing networking and security concerns. Whether the cloud is private or public, the infrastructure and processes still need to be in place. There’s a big potential risk in the clouds,” he said.

With new technology requiring security precautions, and hardware and software needed to safeguard data, there is a growing need for networking security services. “I actually chose a dynamic field like security because I’m constantly learning,” said Schmidt. “It gives me a competitive advantage to be in a field which is constantly changing.  I can be an asset to our customers who perhaps can’t keep up with the rate of change,” he said. Schmidt’s personal experience in IT enables him to service his customers with a “hands on” approach.

Since the company’s founding in 1999, Altaware has contributed to network security in the fields of medicine and education by keeping patient and student records secure, in addition to data loss prevention and disaster recovery.

Regardless of the perilous state of the nation’s economy, Schmidt has kept Altaware afloat. “The focus is on business not busyness. Improvement and betterment is a goal versus perfection,” he said. “Last year was a great year.”

Adamant and optimistic, Schmidt is preparing for an upsurge and a bright economic future. “In business it’s getting rid of less productive tasks and endeavors, and going deeper into our core areas while still broadening into new areas,” he said. “It has meant replacing a bad habit with a good habit, and that’s a multiplier.”

For more information, please visit: www.altaware.com