Podcasts about CCNA

Big thank you to Cisco for sponsoring my trip to Cisco Live Vegas // Ryan Rose's SOCIAL // LinkedIn: / ryanrose3 Cisco Blogs: https://blogs.cisco.com/author/ryanrose X: https://x.com/RyanRose // Cisco Blogs // Cisco Announcement: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/ai-u... CCNA 2.0 Blueprint: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/c... // Websites and YouTube Channel links // Cisco U: https://u.cisco.com/ Cisco Learning Network: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/ Netacad: https://www.netacad.com // David's SOCIAL // Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal YouTube: / @davidbombal Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE... SoundCloud: / davidbombal Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... // MY STUFF // https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal // SPONSORS // Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here: sponsors@davidbombal.com // MENU // 0:00 - Coming Up 0:18 - Intro 0:25 - CCNA Update Announcement 03:03 - Practical Skills/Troubleshooting as the Focus 08:23 - Simlets/Lablets in the CCNA 11:40 - AI in the CCNA 15:24 - Biggest Changes in the New CCNA 18:35 - Goals of the New CCNA 20:58 - Transitioning to the New CCNA 24:37 - CML, Packet Tracer and Other Free Tools 26:25 - CCIE Update Announcement 32:57 - Communication and Critical Thinking Tutorials 35:29 - Free and Paid Training Resources 38:24 - Final Thoughts Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel! #ccna #cisco #ai

Today’s guest takes us behind the scenes of modern concert venues, which rely on wired and wireless IP networking. Michael Keith Lewis is a front-of-house engineer, tour manager, audio creator, and co-founder of Truck Packer. Michael shares his career path from starting in a church, quitting a salaried job to tour with his favorite band,... Read more »

Today’s guest takes us behind the scenes of modern concert venues, which rely on wired and wireless IP networking. Michael Keith Lewis is a front-of-house engineer, tour manager, audio creator, and co-founder of Truck Packer. Michael shares his career path from starting in a church, quitting a salaried job to tour with his favorite band,... Read more »

Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco outlines refreshed CCNA, CCIE and Cisco U. programs designed to prepare networking professionals for AI-driven infrastructure “I get to help people grow their careers,” says Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco. “I get to help people learn new things.” In this Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Ryan Rose of Learn with Cisco about Cisco's latest updates to its certification and training portfolio, including refreshed CCNA and CCIE programs, expanded Cisco U. learning resources, and new AI-focused training designed to help networking professionals stay current as infrastructure evolves. Rose describes his role at Cisco as one of stewardship. Cisco's certification program has been a fixture in the networking industry for roughly 30 years, and Rose says the goal is to make sure the program continues to reflect the skills people actually need in the field. “What we've done and what we announced is really our intention of how we evolve both CCNA and CCIE,” says Rose. A central theme of the conversation is that AI is changing the skills map for networking professionals, but it is not replacing the need for core networking expertise. Instead, Rose explains that professionals will need to understand how to use AI tools effectively, evaluate AI-generated recommendations, and combine automation with sound technical judgment. The updates include a refreshed CCNA blueprint, new AI-related training in Cisco U., and changes to the CCIE Practical exam that reflect how AI tools are beginning to show up in real-world network operations. For partners, MSPs, resellers and enterprise IT teams, the message is clear: AI fluency is becoming part of the networking skill set. Rose also points to Cisco U. as a practical learning platform for professionals who need to build new skills while continuing to work in the industry. Rather than treating certification as a one-time milestone, Cisco is emphasizing continuous learning, hands-on training and career development. For the channel community, the certification updates arrive at a moment when customers are asking more from their technology partners. AI-ready infrastructure, secure operations, automation and resilient networks all require people who understand both the fundamentals and the new tools entering the market. In this podcast, Rose outlines how Cisco is refreshing its learning and certification programs to help professionals prepare for that future. Learn more at Cisco U. and Learn with Cisco.

Meter: Visit https://meter.com/itcareer to book a demoWhat does it actually take to become a network engineer today? In this episode, 15-year veteran infrastructure engineer Kevin Nanns (@adjacentnode) strips away the corporate fluff to give you the honest roadmap for building a successful tech career.If you're feeling completely stuck grinding away at a tier-1 help desk resetting passwords, or you're exhausted from collecting IT certifications like trading cards hoping for a breakthrough, this conversation is the reality check you've been waiting for. Kevin shares his own journey from a school district help desk to engineering massive enterprise networks, breaking down the exact tactical shifts you need to make to bypass the entry-level bottleneck and unlock six-figure infrastructure roles.We also dive deep into his most contrarian views, including why traditional physical home labs are a massive waste of money, what nobody tells you about the real value of a CCNA, the toxic "LinkedIn cringe" ruining mainstream career advice, and where artificial intelligence is genuinely shifting the workload versus where it's just overhyped vendor marketing garbage.

Today's guest is Eyvonne Sharp, a Google Cloud technical leader, Network Collective co-founder, co-host of The Cloud Gambit podcast, and former network architect at a Fortune 100. Eyvonne shares stories from her impressive career, offers advice to her younger self, and how to appreciate those “magic” moments in your career when a project fires on... Read more »

Today's guest is Eyvonne Sharp, a Google Cloud technical leader, Network Collective co-founder, co-host of The Cloud Gambit podcast, and former network architect at a Fortune 100. Eyvonne shares stories from her impressive career, offers advice to her younger self, and how to appreciate those “magic” moments in your career when a project fires on... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Linda Haviv, an AI/ML Engineer and founder of Coding Crystals. Linda is known for making AI infrastructure accessible, and for a career path that went from philosophy student to professional singer to self-taught developer to AI engineer. Together they discuss the difference between AI infrastructure and AI engineering, the... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Linda Haviv, an AI/ML Engineer and founder of Coding Crystals. Linda is known for making AI infrastructure accessible, and for a career path that went from philosophy student to professional singer to self-taught developer to AI engineer. Together they discuss the difference between AI infrastructure and AI engineering, the... Read more »

If you are still relying on a "Clean MC" and a static insurance certificate to vet your carriers, you are leaving your business wide open to organized crime. Today, I'm joined by Joe Ohr of the NMFTA to perform a forensic audit on the "DNA" of modern freight fraud. Joe pulls back the curtain on the NMFTA's Freight Fraud Prevention Hub and their advanced Threat Detection Portal. We move past the surface-level checks to examine the behavioral patterns, digital footprints, and social engineering tactics that today's criminal syndicates use to "wear the skin" of legitimate carriers. This is a masterclass in shifting from a "Checklist Mindset" to an "Intelligence Mindset." If you want to protect your margins and your reputation in 2026, you need to understand the science of the scam.   Inside this Defensive Briefing: The NMFTA Standard: How the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub is unifying the industry's defense. The Threat Detection Portal: Using cross-network intelligence to spot "Bad Actors" in real-time. Identifying the DNA: The 5 behavioral red flags that an MC number will never show you. Organized Syndicate Tactics: How scammers use AI and identity theft to bypass traditional vetting. The Zero-Trust Model: Why the NMFTA is pushing for a complete reset of the "Digital Handshake" in logistics.   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.  

Erin Gertner, vice president of the Partner Organization and SMB sales at Cisco Canada The Cisco 360 Partner Program launched in January after roughly eighteen months of co-development with the partner community. It represents one of the most significant overhauls to Cisco’s channel model in more than two decades – replacing the Gold/Silver tier structure with architecture-specific “Preferred” designations, consolidating multiple incentive programs into the new Cisco Partner Incentive, and fundamentally shifting how partner value is measured, from transaction volume toward capability depth and lifecycle engagement. Three months in, Erin Gertner, vice president of the Partner Organization and SMB Sales for Cisco Canada, says the Canadian response has exceeded internal expectations – including on metrics Cisco had set internal targets around, like the percentage of partners achieving Preferred status. The surprise wasn’t just the numbers. Partners, she says, have been telling Cisco they appreciate the accountability around technical certifications. The Partner Value Index requirement to maintain certification levels gave partner leadership internal cover to prioritize training investments they already knew they needed to make. On the end of Gold: Gertner acknowledges the market education challenge, but argues Preferred is actually a more accurate signal than Gold ever was – since Gold could historically be earned through volume in a single area, while Preferred reflects genuine architectural depth. On the incentive shift: the current structure remains 90% weighted toward the “land” motion, with 5% each for adopt and renew. The rebalancing is coming, the timeline isn’t confirmed, and Gertner’s advice to partners is consistent: start building adoption and managed services practices now, because it takes years, and waiting for the incentives to change is waiting too long. Read Full Transcript Hello and welcome to In The Channel from ChannelBuzz.ca, bringing news and information to the Canadian IT channel community for the last sixteen years. I’m Robert Dutt, editor of ChannelBuzz.ca, and as always, your host for the show. Cisco’s 360 Partner Program was a long time coming. Eighteen months of co-development with partners, significant changes to how Cisco recognizes, rewards, and incentivizes its channel, including the end of the Gold designation that partners have built their brands around for more than two decades. The program launched in January and we’re now at roughly the three-month mark, which means it’s a good time to ask: how’s it actually going? Erin Gertner is vice president of the Partner Organization and SMB Sales for Cisco Canada, and she was closely involved in rolling 360 out to the Canadian market. We get into what surprised her most about how Canadian partners have responded – and some of the feedback wasn’t what she expected. We talk about what the end of Gold actually means for partners who built their reputation around it, where the incentive math is landing, and what the shift towards rewarding capability depth and lifecycle engagement looks like in practice for partners of all sizes. There’s also a practical question at the heart of this. If you’re a Canadian partner who’s still figuring out how to position yourself in the new program, what should you be doing right now? Let’s get right into it. My chat with Erin Gertner. ROBERT DUTT: Erin, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. ERIN GERTNER: Thank you for having me. ROBERT DUTT: 360, the partner program – long awaited, rolled out I’m going to say eighteen months or so ago, but has been live now for a quarter. How’s it going? What surprised you on the upside, and what’s been harder in getting the program out there than you expected? ERIN GERTNER: Yeah, it was a long eighteen months, but I’m glad we did it that way. I was telling somebody yesterday, I think we very intentionally took the hard road on evolving our partner program. As you’re well aware, our previous partner program had been in place for over twenty years, and was very beloved by our partners. And candidly, it was wildly profitable for many of them. So I think there was a lot of angst in the machine around changes, but there came a time where we really did have to go out and evolve our program as the market has changed. So we intentionally took the harder road, which was to co-innovate the program with our partners, versus us creating a program and pushing it out to the partner community. Early days, we got a ton of feedback from partners. We certainly made a few mistakes, but I really do think we did a great job listening to feedback from the partners and making adjustments where necessary. Obviously, the Canadian market is quite different from my peers in the US, as an example – same thing as EMEA and APJC. And it’s hard to make a program that fits for everybody. But I do think we’ve done a good job of creating a model, and having the ability to adjust a model that takes care of the majority of our partners. What surprised me the most was: we tried to take a really strategic approach in Canada. As I said to my team, my biggest fear at the end of this is that we have partners who say “I wasn’t ready” or “I didn’t know.” And we really operated with that in mind. So our goal was to have the majority of our partner community as ready as they possibly could be, earning either the same, if not more, with us. We did workshops with all of our partners. We enabled our distributors. We spent a really long time sitting in front of our partner community, helping them understand what investments they would need to make to be successful, as well as what would be the payoff on those investments. Some of the asks around training and other elements of the program did require investment from the partners. So we wanted to make sure we could demonstrate to them that there was a strong outcome – that there was profit to be made should they make those investments alongside us. The thing that actually surprised me the most is that our partner community in Canada is in very good shape in terms of being able to earn with us in the future. We had some metrics and some targets that we aspired to – a certain percentage of our partners achieving Preferred, for example – and we were able to exceed those metrics. But actually, the thing that surprised me the most is that a lot of our partners came back to us and said, “I like the accountability you have around our technical capabilities, because a lot of this does center around getting Black Belts, as an example.” And one individual said to us, “Behind the curtains, I don’t know if our team was spending as much time as they needed to on training and maintaining our certification levels. And this has really compelled our team to ensure that they are certified in all the right technologies, and we’re having better conversations with customers.” So I thought there would be a little more noise in the machine, and there certainly was at different points – we made those adjustments along the way – but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from the Canadian community. I think the team did a really good job of making sure we were hand-in-hand with our partners, because their success is so critical to us. We know if they’re not making money with us, they have choices in the market and they won’t continue to lead with Cisco. ROBERT DUTT: So to that point – CRN in the States surveyed partners heading into the launch and found about 40% were positive, about the same number were in the wait-and-see camp, and very few – I think it was about 7% – were actively unhappy with the way things were looking going into 360. Now that the program’s live and partners have actually had a chance to see their PVI and the incentives and how it all looks to them, have you seen the mood trend in Canada? Have you started to see those wait-and-sees move toward the positive camp, or what are you seeing in terms of that momentum? ERIN GERTNER: I mean, I think our big partners were sort of a no-brainer. A lot of them had a lot of the skills, depth, and capability that were going to be required to get them into Preferred in all the categories. So a few of them grumbled early on because they had to do a little bit more training and enablement, but they quickly hit the thresholds and they’re all in good shape. What we’ve actually seen is our distributors took a really strategic approach to our two-tier partners, and they’ve been running a lot of workshops and working hand-in-hand with some of our smaller partners. And we’ve actually seen quite a few new partners come on board because they have the ability to be specialized in certain architectures. For example, we’ve been recruiting more security partners, and the distis have done a great job of working alongside those security partners to help get them up and running. Because a piece of feedback we used to hear in our old program was: “It’s really hard to earn with you because we don’t want to be a network reseller. That’s not interesting for us. We’re a pure-play security partner and we’d like to continue to be a pure-play security partner. And just because it fits for you, it doesn’t fit for me.” I think this evolution of the program has allowed partners who are pure-play security partners, or great data centre partners, to come on board and start earning rebate pretty quickly, as well as get the designation so customers know that they are deeply skilled and deeply qualified in that particular architecture. ROBERT DUTT: From your comments a bit earlier, it sounds like partners who you expected to be hitting Preferred are hitting Preferred, and in some cases folks who you maybe weren’t expecting to hit Preferred are hitting Preferred – which is a nice little bonus. But as PVI becomes the engine of the new model, do you find that Canadian partners are generally landing where they expected? ERIN GERTNER: Yeah, for the most part. We do have a few partners who do a lot of business with us but are smaller – just have a few employees – and they’re very critical to our business because they serve some small subsegment of the public sector, for example. Those are the corner cases that we’ve been taking back to our global team, and they’ve provided some flexibility in how we treat those partners. Because again, when we looked at our partner landscape, we wanted to make sure everybody who plays a critical role in how we deliver our business for Cisco Canada was taken care of. For the most part, the program has fit the good majority of our partners in the Canadian landscape. For the ones where there are exceptions, or where the program doesn’t make full sense, we’ve been working with them in the background to try to figure out: can we help make an investment, or can we look at treating some of those partners in a bit of a different way to make sure they’re going to be successful with Cisco and continue to earn with Cisco? So some of that is still underway, even though the program has already launched. We’re still continuing to tweak it and take feedback. ROBERT DUTT: VIP was for so long the thing that partners watched most closely – the best indicator of where Cisco thinks we should be pointed. How is CPI, the Cisco Partner Incentive, actually landing now that it’s out there? Before launch, I think anytime you switch something like that, there’s always going to be the “what if we used to get X millions in rebates and now we get half of that?” Now that it’s live, how’s the math working out? And do you find partners are generally at least at parity with where they were with VIP? ERIN GERTNER: We haven’t gotten to a point where we’ve given anybody a check yet, because we’re still in the infancy of the program. But all the feedback I’ve heard from partners so far – and we have a few partners who sit on our advisory board, so they were early in testing out those calculators and have a really good sense of where they’re going to land – the majority of those partners have said they’re tracking to the same or better from a profitability perspective. Again, to your point around VIP, it’s always very clear where we’re leaning in and where we’re trying to go as a company based on the back-end rebates and the accelerators that follow alongside that. So I think our partners do have a good understanding of where they need to focus and what the outcome will be of that focus. So far the feedback has been very positive from the calculator, but I guess we shall see in a few months from now. ROBERT DUTT: Let’s talk about the end of Gold. It was such a standard for such a long time. It was well understood by partners and I think it was well understood by customers. Longview was one of the first Canadian partners to achieve Preferred in all five of the architectures, but they still flagged some concern with the fact that there’s not an easy way to signal that multi-architecture depth the same way that Gold used to in one easy packaging. For a Canadian partner that’s kind of built their brand around Gold or included that in their messaging, what’s the practical guidance in positioning their expertise to their customers now, especially looking across architectures? ERIN GERTNER: I think you said part of it in the question, right? The fact that they are the first, and that they are Preferred in all the categories, is actually better than Gold. I was talking about this to somebody yesterday. What is interesting about Gold – and I was actually on the sales side of our business for the majority of my career – there was always this perception that if you were a Gold partner, you were great at everything. And that was a market perception for a really long time. When in fact, when you pulled back the covers, you could be a Gold partner just by selling a lot of one thing. So we’ve actually embarked on a marketing campaign that’s been live for a few months now – I think you probably heard about it at Partner Summit – talking about some of the change in our branding. Now when customers are evaluating our partners, or when our account teams are evaluating when to bring in partners, the fact that it’s very clear which partners have the right expertise, the ones who have made the right investments and who’ve got really deep technical depth – that’s now very clear with Preferred status versus what used to be Gold. I think we still have some market education to do around what it means to be Preferred and the amount of investment that partners need to make to get into Preferred status in each of those architectures. There was quite a bit of chatter at some of the advisory boards about Gold going away and what they felt that meant to their business and their market. But I actually like where this program has gone because their expertise is very clear now, which wasn’t the case with Gold. ROBERT DUTT: Gold did have this great market perception of being good at everything. It was easy to capture in kind of one word, one concept. But your point there then is that it’s easier with Preferred to express where you’re good and the breadth of that. That’s an interesting takeaway for partners. The philosophy in the program has shifted even more so than in the previous shift – away from rewarding transaction volume, towards rewarding capability depth and lifecycle engagement. Sounds great conceptually, and I understand why it’s important, but for a partner whose business model has been built around those big infrastructure deals and landing them, what does that transition look like in practice? Is there a smooth ramp to getting that worked into the business, or is there potentially a cliff here?ERIN GERTNER: So it’s a multi-year journey to getting to a true place where our incentive programs are going to be aligned to full lifecycle. The intent of the program is to work with partners to build those skills and capabilities around lifecycle, adoption, managed services, and all the other things we’re asking them to build. But we know for some partners that is a multi-year journey, and that’s okay. When we look at our back-end rebate structure, we are taking a slower approach. On the surface, we’re asking partners to do all these things with us and come along for the ride – but we are still incenting them very heavily on hardware resale in the near term. We want to make sure they have a very clear path and that they do understand that we’re evolving the business and we’re evolving the way we incent for good reasons. We need to do that. Adoption – especially as software continues to be a larger portion of our overall business – and lifecycle becomes even more critical over time, as well as the renewal business. But we aren’t just flipping a switch. The intent of this program was never to punish, and it was never meant to save Cisco money. We talked a lot about how partners are so critical to our success – we want to make sure they are continuing to be very profitable with us. So we’re trying to take them on a longer-term journey and we’re not trying to make it hurt. ROBERT DUTT: The engagement metrics right now are sitting at 90% land and 5% each to adopt and renew. I think Tim Coogan has said that that will shift over time as the market dictates, but how fast do you see that coming? Should partners be building those adopt-and-renew muscles now in anticipation of the bigger shift, or is there still some runway there? ERIN GERTNER: I would say we need to get started now. Some of those certifications take a year or two, and building those practices – for partners who have historically sold hardware, building out an adoption practice – I mean, we did it, and it took us a couple of years to get that up and running. So building out those practices is really critical for partners. What’s interesting about this program is that we had partners asking us to shift away from paying solely on hardware, because they were saying, “You’re asking us to go out and do all this extra work with customers to help them deliver the outcomes they’re looking for. We should be incentivized around that as well.” So I would say: get started now. I don’t think I can speak to when our back-end programs are going to shift more to adoption and renew, because nobody has shared that with me. I’m not sure we even know – I think we want to see where our partners are on the journey. But I would say get started now. Get yourself in a place where that makes sense. And candidly, you’re going to yield better outcomes from your customers and better renewal rates if you’ve got a great practice around that. I was talking to a partner a few weeks ago who said, “We love the whole adoption motion. It has us having conversations we’ve never had with customers, and we’re much closer to the executives at our customer base because we’re talking about use cases and talking about whether we’re seeing success or whether we need to pivot. We’re having quarterly touchpoints and QBRs talking about whether or not what we sold them is working and they’re seeing value from it.” So I think it’s a good motion for partners to build regardless. It will drive a different level of engagement and conversation with their customers. When we’re going to fully incentivize around it, I’m not entirely sure – but I know it’s coming. Be ready, start building that expertise now. There’s hopefully limited downside to doing so. ROBERT DUTT: One of the things that analysts have noted about the program change is that it’s really a bet on skills first – that partner value is measured by what you can do, not how much you sell. That’s a big cultural shift, not just a programmatic one. Acknowledging that there are going to be some partners who are maybe a little bit behind the curve, and some who are ahead of you saying “what took you so long?” – how far along are Canadian partners in making that mental shift themselves? ERIN GERTNER: I can feel [they’re] pretty far along. I think it was a bit of a shock early on because we never had any accountability in our programs around maintaining certification levels and technical depth. But our best partners have great technical expertise and a really strong understanding of our solutions and what they can deliver to customers. And as I said earlier, some of the feedback we’re getting from partners is, “I’m glad you’re doing this – it’s holding us accountable to making sure we’re staying on top of the solutions.” Our portfolio has moved so quickly over the last couple of years. Our best partners are the ones who have great understanding of the technology and what it can deliver. So I think early on there was a little hesitation from some partners around that, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive in the last little while. ROBERT DUTT: Let’s talk about SMB. The Canadian channel in market skews toward small and mid-size, and this happens to roll into your line of work as well. I’m seeing two different takes on what 360 means for smaller partners. Tiffani Bova from Futurum warned that smaller or resource-constrained partners may be sort of specialized out of the ecosystem. But Cisco’s analysis with Techaisle argues that 360 dismantles the bias toward big partners. Those are two very different reads. I’m curious what you’re seeing in the market in Canada and what’s closer to the truth in practice. ERIN GERTNER: It’s so funny when you ask – we were joking about this yesterday on a call. When you ask one set of partners, they’ll say 360 was created for the big partners. And then you ask another set of partners, they’ll say 360 was created for the small partners. So it was really created for everybody. I think the distis have done a really good job of leaning in with some of our SMB partners and helping them figure out where they want to play and what they need to do to be successful. They also have a lot that they can bring to bear to some of the smaller partners – for example, they’ve got a really good EA practice, and they can help augment some of those skill sets that are required for the SMB partner. So if there is an SMB partner out there that wants to work with us, distis are really well equipped to help them get on board. And we’ve also got some incentives, programs, and specializations that are offered specifically for the SMB market. Still, a good majority of our business happens with our big partners, but also through that two-tier channel and distribution. And we need those partners to be successful alongside us. We’ve made a lot of investments to ensure that’s the case. Is it going to be perfect for everybody? Maybe, maybe not. But we certainly did craft the program to make sure that SMB would have an equal chance at success. ROBERT DUTT: One of the big promises of 360 is that managed services is now treated as a standard earning motion rather than kind of an exception to the rules. How’s that landing? Are you seeing Canadian MSPs that have their operational maturity and lifecycle engagement reflected in PVI, or is there still friction to be resolved there? ERIN GERTNER: I think it looks a little bit different, but we actually are seeing a lot of our partners go out and build Cisco Partner-Powered managed services, which I love. Due to the shift in 360, I was working with a partner a few weeks ago who’s building out a managed Meraki practice, and we’re also seeing a lot of partners starting to build up managed security with us as well. Going through the certifications can be a little bit cumbersome, but we’ve also made quite a few investments in our partners to help ease some of that transition – especially partners who are building really great, highly relevant managed services for SMBs or for any customer base. We’re trying to offset the cost or do what we can to help them through that journey, because I know in some instances it is a heavy lift. But the focus around managed services has actually been really good. Partners are getting thoughtful around where they can deliver value to their customer base, where there’s opportunity, and they’re coming to us proactively to build, which I love. ROBERT DUTT: One of the neat things about the program is the fact that Meraki CMNA and CMSS certifications now actually count towards Black Belt, and that’s an important part of the program. CMNA, CMSS – it feels like a big deal for SMB-focused partners. Are you seeing Canadian partners taking advantage of that pathway and getting represented better because they have those certifications? ERIN GERTNER: Again, everybody’s path looks a little bit different. I was just working with a small partner who’s going out and getting his CCNA and getting himself certified so he can improve his PVI score. And that’s been awesome. Having more technical people at our partners who know a lot about Cisco has been an interesting journey for them. He was sort of grumbling a little bit at the beginning doing it, and then he said [it was rewarding [? – unclear in audio**]], being able to have a little more depth to conversations when he’s sitting in front of a customer. So we’re seeing partners take all different types of paths to get to where they need to be from a certification perspective. But again, it is certainly holding them accountable and encouraging them to get more technical depth and capability into their organization, which ultimately will serve the customer better over time. ROBERT DUTT: The Secure AI Infrastructure specialization drove three times the enrollment of any previous specialization, from what I’ve read. What does that tell you about where partner investment is heading? Is there a risk that everyone rushes toward AI and neglects the bread-and-butter networking and security competencies? Or are we pretty much so well entrenched there that there’s the opportunity to build into the next thing and still defend the home base? ERIN GERTNER: I keep saying to partners: there’s no AI without a network. And when we left Partner Summit, I had three partners come up and say to me, “That was my biggest aha moment of this whole thing.” Even if you’re not selling Cisco servers – which we encourage them all to do – whatever you’re doing is built on the foundation of a secure network. So I love that people are gravitating more toward AI, because it does pull through. If I go back to the days of IP telephony, we used to joke when I was in the field, if somebody bought a phone, it pulled through PoE ports – I think AI is going to be the same opportunity for a lot of our partners. It’s going to pull through observability, it’s going to pull through security, it’s going to pull through networking. So I almost think those things very much go hand in hand together, versus standing on their own and being autonomous. ROBERT DUTT: Finally, if you’re a Canadian partner listening to this and you’ve been in the program and getting used to it for coming up on a quarter now – what’s the one thing you should be doing right now to position yourself as the program matures? What’s the one thing you can differentiate yourself by year end? ERIN GERTNER: That’s a great question. I think it’s going to end up being a few things. One: make sure you have a good understanding of the program and how it works. Because again, it was intended to make sure our partners are making money working with Cisco. Profitability is number one for us in the channel. We value our partners so much. I have a partner who always jokes, “The thing I love about working with Cisco is you guys always ask us about our profitability” – and we really do care deeply and immensely about the profitability of our partners. So to your point around VIP, you can always sort of tell where Cisco is going. I hope all of our partners have a pretty good understanding of where we are going – and if you don’t, reach out to us directly or to our distributors. If you follow the bouncing ball on that one, make sure you are leading with a secure networking conversation, and make sure whoever you’re working with has a lot of depth and knowledge in how to leverage the program and how to work within the confines of it. Go out there and be loud and proud of where you are with your PVI score and where you are focusing from an architecture perspective. We love that there’s a really large breadth of partners who are good at many things, or really good at one or two things – and that works for us. Again, if you need help to be successful, reach out to our teams, because we love working with our channel partners. ROBERT DUTT: All right. Erin, thanks for taking the time, and congratulations on getting the program out there, getting it launched, getting it established. Good luck on quarter two and beyond. ERIN GERTNER: Thank you. Thank you for the conversation. I really enjoyed that. ROBERT DUTT:There you have it – Erin Gertner from Cisco Canada. I’d like to thank Erin for her time on this one. A few things worth sitting with. The feedback from the Canadian partner community has apparently been more positive than even Cisco expected – including partners who said they actually appreciated being held accountable to their certification levels because it gave them internal cover to make the training investments they knew they should have been making anyway. That’s a more honest answer than most vendor channel chiefs would volunteer. The other thing I’d keep in mind: the incentive structure is still heavily weighted toward hardware resale in the near term – 90% land, 5% adopt, 5% renew. But Erin was pretty clear that the shift towards adoption and managed services is coming. The timeline just isn’t set. Her advice was simple: start building those muscles now, because it takes a couple of years to get an adoption practice up and running. Don’t wait till the incentives force your hand. If you’re enjoying the In The Channel podcast, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most podcast directories. Follow, subscribe, leave a rating and review if you’re feeling generous – it all helps. Until next time, I’m Robert Dutt for ChannelBuzz.ca, and I’ll see you in the channel.

Ray Cline has been in the tech trenches since he was twelve years old, helping his Dad run a bulletin board service. Today he runs an MSP called Libertas Consulting and leads a nonprofit called TEKnowledge Worldwide (TKW) that has donated over a million dollars in network infrastructure to communities in need. Join us for... Read more »

Ray Cline has been in the tech trenches since he was twelve years old, helping his Dad run a bulletin board service. Today he runs an MSP called Libertas Consulting and leads a nonprofit called TEKnowledge Worldwide (TKW) that has donated over a million dollars in network infrastructure to communities in need. Join us for... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis are back with a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast with guest Melina Bertholf, who joined the team a while back to help manage content. (And yes, sharp-eyed readers will notice a family name shared by Alexis and Melina). After interviewing many guests about their tech journeys, our hosts share their own personal... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis are back with a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast with guest Melina Bertholf, who joined the team a while back to help manage content. (And yes, sharp-eyed readers will notice a family name shared by Alexis and Melina). After interviewing many guests about their tech journeys, our hosts share their own personal... Read more »

Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns sit down for a conversation with Andrei Istrate, Senior Mobile Developer at Toptal. Andrei has taken the “mobile” part of his job literally: he’s built a life around travel and experiences rather than settling in one location. Andrei talks about the travel opportunities that remote work has presented, how he... Read more »

Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns sit down for a conversation with Andrei Istrate, Senior Mobile Developer at Toptal. Andrei has taken the “mobile” part of his job literally: he’s built a life around travel and experiences rather than settling in one location. Andrei talks about the travel opportunities that remote work has presented, how he... Read more »

Is your digital infrastructure actually secure, or are you just waiting for the next cyber threat to put you out of business? What does it take to stay ahead of bad actors in an industry where the window for a response has shrunk from months to minutes? Joe Ohr is back on the show, and today, he's joined by Todd Florence from Estes Express Lines to discuss the current state of cybersecurity in logistics! We're diving deep into the launch of the NMFTA Threat Portal and the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub, essential tools designed to help carriers and brokers share real-time data on everything from double brokering to advanced social engineering attacks. Todd doesn't hold back on why protecting your threat information isn't a competitive advantage; it's a liability to the entire national supply chain. Whether you're a one-truck owner-operator or a massive LTL carrier, you need to understand that everyone is on the radar, and having a practiced response plan is the only way to survive in this digital revolution. It's time to stop burying your head in the sand and start collaborating because, at the end of the day, the data is just as important as moving the freight itself! Visit https://bit.ly/4t5SPr5 to learn more about the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub and Threat Portal!   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.   About Todd Florence Todd is the Chief Information Officer at Estes Express Lines, where he has led transformative IT initiatives since joining the company in 2020. He directs Estes' technology strategy and teams, driving innovation to make shipping seamless for customers and employees. Under his leadership, Estes implemented Samsara for Telematics in just six months—earning national recognition—and advanced key digital tools and routing systems. With over 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years at Celerity, Todd brings deep expertise in technology integration, strategy, and business transformation. He holds both a B.S. and MBA from The American University and is a Certified Scrum Master and Six Sigma Yellow Belt. A frequent industry speaker and recognized thought leader, Todd has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and named one of Samsara's "100 Fleet Operators to Watch" in 2025.  

Kevin and Alexis take a break from their regular interviews to answer your questions! Join them for an unfiltered, wide-ranging discussion including the value of certifications, online learning pros and cons, how networking engineering jobs are changing, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and more. AdSpot Sponsor: Statseeker Statseeker gives engineers near real-time performance... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis take a break from their regular interviews to answer your questions! Join them for an unfiltered, wide-ranging discussion including the value of certifications, online learning pros and cons, how networking engineering jobs are changing, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and more. AdSpot Sponsor: Statseeker Statseeker gives engineers near real-time performance... Read more »

Send a textThis week on The Route to Networking podcast, Jamie Maher is joined by Tony Vrushaj, Data Centre Team Leader at IBM, to explore how data centres have shifted from background infrastructure to strategic assets powering AI, cloud, and national ambition.Tony shares his non-linear journey into the industry, from fixing tractors as a child to building data centres in the UK during a period of rapid expansion. His path was shaped by curiosity, certifications such as CCNA and CompTIA, and a willingness to focus intensely on long-term goals rather than short-term comfort. As his career progressed, technical depth became only part of the equation. Mindset, communication, and leadership proved just as critical.The conversation dives into how AI has transformed the data centre landscape. Higher-density racks, GPU-driven environments, and increased revenue per square metre have changed both the financial stakes and the operational risk. What was once a low-cost mistake can now carry seven-figure consequences. Teams are becoming smaller and more cross-functional, with greater emphasis on engineers who can move between hardware, customers, and executive conversations.Energy emerges as the hidden constraint behind AI growth. Tony explains why power availability, cooling, and grid capacity are now strategic considerations, influencing where facilities are built and how governments think about AI sovereignty. This is no longer just a software race. It is an infrastructure and energy race.Looking ahead, Tony offers a bold prediction for the future of data centres: space. With rising energy demands and cooling challenges on Earth, orbital infrastructure may move from theory to experimentation faster than many expect.The episode closes with a quick-fire round covering underrated skills, the difference between certifications and degrees, and the trait that defines great engineers - comfort with uncertainty.Want to stay up to date with new episodes? Follow our LinkedIn page for all the latest podcast updates!Head to: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-route-to-networking-podcast/Interested in following a similar career path? Why don't you take a look at our jobs page, where you can find your next job opportunity? Head to: www.hamilton-barnes.com/jobs/

Today, we've got Joe Ohr and Marli Hall from NMFTA to discuss the launch of SCAC Verified and why identity verification is quickly becoming a non-negotiable standard in freight brokerage, trucking, and supply chain operations! As verification requirements tighten across the industry, this NMFTA-led initiative strengthens carrier legitimacy through biometric verification, helping brokers, shippers, and carriers combat rising cargo theft, chameleon carriers, and digital fraud risks. We also cover the upcoming Freight Fraud Prevention Hub launching on March 3rd, a collaborative resource packed with best practices, fraud trends, and actionable strategies designed to protect logistics providers across the transportation industry.  As regulatory pressure increases from the FMCSA and fraud continues to escalate, maintaining an active SCAC code and adopting verification tools early will separate legitimate carriers from bad actors, build trust faster during onboarding, and create a real competitive advantage in today's freight market, because moving freight safely now starts with proving who you are! Visit this link to learn more: https://freightfraudhub.com/   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.   About Marli Hall Marli Hall is the Director of Communications and Marketing at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), where she leads strategic communication efforts to enhance the organization's visibility and reputation within the freight transportation industry. In this role, Marli oversees media relations, manages key messaging, and develops public relations campaigns that promote NMFTA's initiatives, partnerships, and contributions to the sector. She started with NMFTA in August 2022, previously serving as the director of communications and member services, and earlier as a communications specialist. Prior to NMFTA, Marli was the senior director of outreach & engagement at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for nearly a decade. She directed marketing and communications strategies to promote TCA's educational programs, image initiatives, and outreach efforts. She holds a bachelor's degree in news editorial from West Virginia University and graduated from the Public Affairs & Advocacy Institute at American University. Marli has served as an FMCSA Our Roads Our Safety Program Partner and was nominated to the Women of Trucking Advisory Board. Marli resides in Alexandria, VA, with her husband, Chris, and enjoys visiting her family's 300-acre cattle farm and attending concerts.  

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Mike Miller to discuss what brought him from the back of a garbage truck to his current position as a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (VCISO). He breaks down how a VCISO differs from a CISO, and discusses the two types of clients looking for VCISO services: those looking... Read more »

Alexis and Kevin sit down with Mike Miller to discuss what brought him from the back of a garbage truck to his current position as a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (VCISO). He breaks down how a VCISO differs from a CISO, and discusses the two types of clients looking for VCISO services: those looking... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis sit down with Melissa Brooks, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Aritzia, to discuss how she went from being a “terrible waitress” to going back to school for a diploma in network security. They explore how she used a strategic, “reverse engineered” approach to goal setting to land on a career in tech.... Read more »

Kevin and Alexis sit down with Melissa Brooks, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Aritzia, to discuss how she went from being a “terrible waitress” to going back to school for a diploma in network security. They explore how she used a strategic, “reverse engineered” approach to goal setting to land on a career in tech.... Read more »

Ifeanyi Otuonye was a decorated track and field athlete at Kansas State and even competed professionally. Then he made the leap to a Technical Account Manager role at Amazon Web Services. Alexis and Kevin sit down with Ifeanyi to discuss the difficulties of that career change. Ifeanyi explains why he chose cloud engineering, what he... Read more »

Ifeanyi Otuonye was a decorated track and field athlete at Kansas State and even competed professionally. Then he made the leap to a Technical Account Manager role at Amazon Web Services. Alexis and Kevin sit down with Ifeanyi to discuss the difficulties of that career change. Ifeanyi explains why he chose cloud engineering, what he... Read more »

What happens if you don't verify your SCAC? Is this the beginning of the end for freight fraud in non-Class 8 carriers? Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor are back on the show to discuss the launch of SCAC Verify on February 26, 2026, NMFTA's new mandatory identity and address verification program designed to close a major security gap impacting sprinters, box trucks, hotshots, and other non-Class 8 carriers! We talk about how the fast 1–3 minute verification process works using government ID, biometric selfie matching, and DMV checks across 42 states, why failure to comply could mean losing your SCAC code renewal, and how verified carriers gain a significant competitive edge with shippers, brokers, and insurers. We also cover why this move is about fraud prevention, cargo theft reduction, and carrier trust, how it creates a clean accountability paper trail without storing personal data, and why this standard is likely a preview of future FMCSA and federal regulations. The bottom line of our conversation? This is a leveling of the playing field, a trust signal for legitimate carriers, and potentially a path to lower insurance premiums in a market that has been crushed by fraud! Visit https://nmfta.org/scac/ to learn more!   About Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs. Holly Taylor is the Director of Product at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™. In her current role, Holly leverages her diverse background to lead cross-functional teams, shape strategic product visions, as well as anticipate and deliver solutions that exceed market expectations. Her unique blend of technical expertise and leadership skills has driven product success and customer satisfaction, positioning her as a pivotal force in shaping the future of NMFTA's products. With over 24 years of extensive experience in the software industry, Holly is a seasoned professional known for driving innovation and excellence across the product lifecycle. She began her career as a Technical Writer, where she honed a meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of user needs. Progressing to roles such as Documentation Manager and eventually Senior Product Manager, she built a reputation for transforming complex technical concepts into clear and intuitive applications. Holly earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Penn State and a Masters of Arts in English from SNHU. She also received a Graduate Certificate in Publishing from the University of Denver. During her time at Oracle, Holly was a member of Oracle Women's Leadership and a charter member of OWL at the Columbia, MD location.  

Is it possible for IT professionals to remain technical when moving into roles that expand influence, scale, and reach? Matt Starling, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Ekahau and co-founder of the WiFi Ninjas podcast, joins Alexis and Kevin to share how your career can evolve beyond on-call operations without losing the technical core. His... Read more »

Is it possible for IT professionals to remain technical when moving into roles that expand influence, scale, and reach? Matt Starling, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Ekahau and co-founder of the WiFi Ninjas podcast, joins Alexis and Kevin to share how your career can evolve beyond on-call operations without losing the technical core. His... Read more »

AJ Murray joins Kevin and Alexis to share his unique journey into tech, pivoting away from aviation maintenance into networking. Together they explore the importance of person-to-person networking and building a community in order to be successful. They also talk about the reality of burnout, which ultimately led AJ to step away from his podcast.... Read more »

AJ Murray joins Kevin and Alexis to share his unique journey into tech, pivoting away from aviation maintenance into networking. Together they explore the importance of person-to-person networking and building a community in order to be successful. They also talk about the reality of burnout, which ultimately led AJ to step away from his podcast.... Read more »

Think you need a degree or a ton of certificates to succeed in tech? Think again. Matthew Oborne joins our hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns to discuss how he went from working fast food to leading operations at an ISP. Your starting point doesn't define your ceiling; resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn... Read more »

Think you need a degree or a ton of certificates to succeed in tech? Think again. Matthew Oborne joins our hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns to discuss how he went from working fast food to leading operations at an ISP. Your starting point doesn't define your ceiling; resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn... Read more »

On Purplish, our focus is usually on exploring the politics of the moment. But for Veterans Day, we're offering something different -- a chance to experience a defining moment in World War II from one of the last remaining veterans to live through it.The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the toughest in Marine Corps history. Nearly 7,000 Marines lost their lives taking the volcanic island from its Japanese defenders.80 years on, few remain who served in that grueling conflict. One of them is Jim Blane of Denver.It took Blane decades after the war ended to begin to talk about his time in combat. But as he prepares to celebrate his 101st birthday this month – just as the U.S. Marine Corps marks its 250th anniversary – the veteran says when it comes to the war and Iwo Jima, he's now wide open. Blane recently shared his story with CPR's Bente Birkeland.Purplish is a production of member-supported Colorado Public Radio and the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. The CCNA is a collaboration between KUNC News, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS and the Colorado Sun, with support from news outlets throughout the state. Funding for the Alliance is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I'm Bente Birkeland.Purplish's producer is Stephanie Wolf and the story editor is Megan Verlee. Sound design and engineering by Shane Rumsey – with additional sound design support on this episode from Stephanie Wolf and Megan Verlee. Our theme music is by Brad Turner. CPR News' executive producer of podcasting is Rachel Estabrook. Special thanks to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans for assisting with archival sound used in this episode, and the Library of Congress for its archive of images. 

In this episode, we continue the conversation on how AI is transforming the world of enterprise networking. You'll hear how Cisco approached internal AI adoption with caution and clarity, including the importance of private LLM instances and avoiding shadow AI practices. The group also explores how education, governance, and secure tools are critical for protecting data and building trust in AI systems. From prompt injection attacks to certification updates, the episode breaks down how Cisco is evolving its learning paths and certification programs (like CCNA, DevNet, and CCDE) to reflect the skills networking professionals need in an AI-driven future. Whether you're an entry-level learner or a seasoned network engineer, you'll walk away with actionable guidance—and a clear call to get involved, experiment responsibly, and help shape the next era of enterprise networking.

Your background and experiences outside of tech can become a significant factor in your tech career. Guest Chris Williams is a good example; he talks about how his undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology influenced his work as a Developer Relations Manger at Hashicorp. Hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns chat with him about how... Read more »

Your background and experiences outside of tech can become a significant factor in your tech career. Guest Chris Williams is a good example; he talks about how his undergraduate and graduate studies in psychology influenced his work as a Developer Relations Manger at Hashicorp. Hosts Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns chat with him about how... Read more »

A college degree can be a useful stepping stone into a tech career, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have it on your resume. But do you really need that college degree to succeed in IT? Maybe, maybe not. Today’s guest is Wes Noonan, whose non-traditional path into and through a career in IT has... Read more »

A college degree can be a useful stepping stone into a tech career, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have it on your resume. But do you really need that college degree to succeed in IT? Maybe, maybe not. Today’s guest is Wes Noonan, whose non-traditional path into and through a career in IT has... Read more »

What would happen if your freight data got hacked before your trucks even hit the road? In this episode, NMFTA's Joe Ohr digs into how cybersecurity threats are evolving fast across freight and supply chains, from stolen tequila loads rerouted through digital trickery to insider risks hiding in forgotten system logins! We talk about why cyber protection isn't just an IT problem anymore, but also a business survival issue, how AI is changing the game for detecting and responding to cyberattacks, and the upcoming NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference in Austin, a must-attend event where industry leaders share practical defense strategies, run hands-on tabletop exercises, and build real plans companies can use immediately. Cyber threats are only getting smarter, and if you're not training, auditing access, and collaborating with others in the industry, you're already behind, so keep tuning in to our conversation!   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.  

Starting any new endeavor is hard. That’s particularly true for a career in tech. And that’s the reason Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns are launching the Life In Uptime podcast. In each episode they’ll sit down with engineers, leaders, and builders in tech to uncover the stories behind their careers to help you see how... Read more »

Starting any new endeavor is hard. That’s particularly true for a career in tech. And that’s the reason Alexis Bertholf and Kevin Nanns are launching the Life In Uptime podcast. In each episode they’ll sit down with engineers, leaders, and builders in tech to uncover the stories behind their careers to help you see how... Read more »

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we spotlight Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the resources available to help you strengthen your skills and defenses in an evolving threat landscape. With cyberattacks growing more sophisticated and the industry facing a global shortage of 4 million professionals, the need for education and training has never been greater. Our experts break down Cisco's latest initiatives, including the consolidation of certifications under the CCNA umbrella, free training and labs through Cisco U and Networking Academy, and a new video series—Security Unlocked—hosted by Kyle Winters. Plus, discover October-exclusive perks like free courses, tutorials, and a 25% discount on select premium content. Whether you're just starting your cybersecurity journey or looking to sharpen your expertise, this episode highlights the tools, training, and best practices to help you stay ahead. Resources Cybersecurity Training and Certification Giveaway: https://mkto.cisco.com/cybersecurity-giveaway-oct-2025.html?utm_campaign=csg25&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions Upcoming Cisco Learning Network Store Sale: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/specials/?src=cybrsec25_chmp Learn with Cisco Cybersecurity Awareness page: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/cybersecurity-awareness.html?utm_campaign=csm25&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions  Rev Up to Recert: Security Solutions: https://u.cisco.com/paths/enhancing-cisco-security-solutions-with-data-analytics-10327?utm_campaign=revup_ss&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions  Cisco guest Kyle Winters, Technical Consulting Engineer, Cisco Cisco Champion hosts Liam Keegan, Advisor Jonathan Mahady, Principal Network Engineer, BHP David Penaloza, Assoc. Director - LAN Network Architecture, Novartis Moderator Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

How prepared is your business to face today's evolving cybersecurity threats? Are you confident your team could spot an AI-generated scam or respond to a ransomware attack in real time? Listen to Joe Ohr sharing the impact of the NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference, which was born out of the LTL industry's push to go digital and address the gap in security education and awareness. We discuss who the prime targets for cybercriminals are, how AI has changed the game for bad actors, and how the NMFTA conference equips attendees with real-world tools. With its peer-to-peer format, intimate setting, and focus on actionable outcomes, strengthen your defenses against the rising tide of cyber threats!   NMFTA Cybersecurity Conference Registration: https://cyber.nmfta.org/cybersecurity-conference/register   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.  

Life In Uptime is a brand-new podcast that explores the real journeys of the people who build and run enterprise IT. Each episode dives into the personal and professional paths that got each guest to where they are today—because the road to a career in technology isn't one-size-fits-all. This show is for anyone wondering how... Read more »

Life In Uptime is a brand-new podcast that explores the real journeys of the people who build and run enterprise IT. Each episode dives into the personal and professional paths that got each guest to where they are today—because the road to a career in technology isn't one-size-fits-all. This show is for anyone wondering how... Read more »

In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave take a deep dive into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of modern manufacturing: network and systems architecture. Too often manufacturers focus on SCADA, MES, and control layers without recognizing that the architecture beneath them is the foundation that determines whether a facility can scale, connect new equipment, and maintain reliability. Architecture touches everything from plant floor PLCs and HMIs to edge devices, managed switches, firewalls, historians, and enterprise-level systems.We begin the conversation by unpacking what “architecture” actually means in manufacturing environments. Is it the hardware, switches, and cables? Is it the way new machines are integrated into existing plants? Or is it the broader strategy of ensuring that data, safety, and scalability are protected? The answer, as both Vlad and Dave explain, is that it is all of these at once.Throughout the discussion, we explore real-world stories where poor architectural decisions led to unplanned downtime, cybersecurity risks, or expensive rework. Vlad shares an example of a palletizer brought online with unmanaged switches and insecure remote access hardware that nearly crippled production until it was properly segmented. Dave recalls his own field experiences, including unusual setups where integrators resorted to improvised remote troubleshooting, highlighting just how creative but fragile some solutions can be.The episode also looks at the evolution of remote access. From the early days of Ewon boxes to modern expectations of secure VPNs, jump boxes, and approved engineering workstations, we discuss what role remote connectivity should play in today's manufacturing environment. While these solutions can reduce travel time and speed up support, they can just as easily introduce vulnerabilities and trust issues if not carefully managed.From there we move into the technical tradeoffs of device level ring versus star topologies. Vlad explains why he often prefers device level ring to save costs and simplify troubleshooting, while Dave weighs in on the importance of pre-molded cables, managed switches, and long-term maintainability. We also analyze example architectures from Rockwell white papers, pointing out where diagrams align with field best practices and where they differ from what engineers often see in real facilities.Finally, we broaden the perspective by comparing greenfield and brownfield deployments. Greenfield projects allow prime contractors and consultants to design standards up front, but most facilities live in brownfield reality where years of technical debt, unmanaged switches, and ad hoc networks make improvements harder. We also touch on how architecture differs by industry, whether in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, or distributed environments such as trains or pipelines.The conversation closes with predictions, career advice, and resource recommendations. Vlad stresses that CCNA is still one of the best starting points for engineers who want to understand industrial networking fundamentals, and Dave emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and learning from experienced peers. Both agree that demand for data, combined with the rise of AI, will continue to stress legacy networks until companies recognize the need for robust, standards-driven architectures.If you work in automation, engineering, IT, or plant management, this episode will give you perspective on why network architecture is not just a technical afterthought but a strategic enabler of digital transformation.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and community updates 02:30 Defining architecture in manufacturing 05:00 Why networks are the backbone of manufacturing systems 08:00 A real-world palletizer story and the risks of unmanaged switches 14:00 The rise and pitfalls of remote access devices 18:30 Field story of unconventional remote troubleshooting setups 23:00 Who is responsible for network design: end users, integrators, or OEMs 28:00 Analyzing Rockwell's reference architecture diagrams 36:00 Device level ring versus star topologies in practice 49:00 Brownfield versus greenfield considerations 56:00 Industry-specific architectures from food and beverage to oil and gas 01:04:00 The role of standards and corporate versus local decision making 01:08:30 Predictions, career advice, and recommended resourcesReferences Mentioned in this Episode Ignition Community Conference: https://icc.inductiveautomation.com/ Siemens SPS Atlanta Event: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/fairs-events/sps.html Rockwell Automation Architectures and Design White Papers: https://literature.rockwellautomation.com CISSP Official Study Guide: https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP Winning by Tim Grover: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Unforgiving-Race-Greatness/dp/1982168862 Cisco CCNA Certification: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/exams/current-list/ccna.htmlAbout the HostsVlad Romanov is an electrical engineer and consultant with over a decade of experience in manufacturing and industrial automation. His background spans global companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Post Holdings, where he has led modernization projects, SCADA and MES deployments, and digital transformation initiatives. He is the founder of Joltek, a consulting firm helping manufacturers align people, process, and technology to improve operations, and he also leads SolisPLC, an education platform for automation professionals. Connect with Vlad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanovDave Griffith is a manufacturing consultant and co-host of Manufacturing Hub. With extensive experience in controls, systems integration, and business development, Dave has helped manufacturers across industries adopt SCADA, MES, and digital transformation solutions. He frequently shares insights on IT-OT convergence, operational strategy, and leadership in the automation space. Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffithJoltek is a consulting and integration firm that helps manufacturers modernize with clarity, strategy, and execution. Built on decades of hands-on experience in engineering, automation, and plant leadership, Joltek bridges the gap between technical complexity and business value. The team is known for uncovering hidden risks in outdated systems, designing scalable IT and OT architectures, and guiding digital transformation initiatives that actually deliver measurable results. Whether it is upgrading control systems, deploying SCADA and MES platforms, or advising on strategic investments, Joltek consistently brings deep expertise and practical solutions that make manufacturing operations more resilient, efficient, and future ready.Listen and Subscribe Catch every episode of Manufacturing Hub on YouTube and your favorite podcast platforms. 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Are you ready for the NMFC code changes set to roll out on July 19th? Learn more from today's returning guest, Joe Ohr of NMFTA! Joe shares ClassIT+'s special features, how this platform surpassed expectations and exceeded its initial goal, how it enhances operational efficiencies and improves user experience, and other features, and what brokers and service providers can expect from the upcoming changes!   Visit the Links Below! https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes/nmfc-item-lookup-tool https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes https://info.nmfta.org/classitplus   About Joe Ohr Joe Ohr has more than two decades of experience in technical operations, customer success management, customer support, and product support. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, he plays a pivotal role in helping to advance the industry through digitization, classification, and cybersecurity. Prior to Ohr's role at NMFTA, he served as in numerous engineering and operations positions at Qualcomm and Eaton, and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Operations/Customer Experience at Omnitracs. Throughout his career, Ohr has provided strategic guidance, vision, and a roadmap for addressing long-term customer challenges. He has played a key role in accelerating revenue growth and has collaborated closely with IT, product, and engineering teams to foster stronger partnerships with strategic customers and peers. Additionally, Ohr has overseen post sales customer support and service teams, as well as operations, managing a workforce of over 400 individuals. He holds multiple certifications such as CCNA from Cisco and MCSE from Microsoft and earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ohio State University. Due to his contributions to the industry, he earned a spot in the Inner Circle in 2015 and 2018 from Qualcomm and Omnitracs.