North Star Strategies emerged from a journey that mirrors yours - from technical mastery to executive leadership. We understand the challenges of translating cybersecurity and compliance into business value because we've lived them. Our founder's evolution from technical expert to VP of Operations provides us with a unique perspective on what leaders really need: a partner who speaks both languages and can help navigate the complex intersection of technology, people, and business growth.
“I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn’t have the time.” – Blaise Pascal
Clarity isn't accidental. It takes intention, time, and effort. Whether you're writing an email, giving feedback, or leading a team—concise communication is a leadership superpower.
Make it shorter. Make it sharper. Make it count.
#Leadership#CommunicationMatters#WorkplaceWisdom#ExecutiveSkills#LessIsMore#ClarityIsKind
Connecting Small Businesses to Affordable CMMC Solutions
Celebrating Evan Dumouchel, February Ambassador of the Month
Evan has gone above and beyond by collaborating with Kaleigh Floyd to create the "How to Record a Training Video at Home" guide.
This resource empowers CPN members to confidently produce high-quality training videos, helping expand our community’s collective knowledge and professional development.
Evan’s commitment to mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and serving community growth embodies the core values of CPN. His contributions are making a real impact, ensuring CPN members have the tools and guidance needed to showcase their expertise effectively.
Thank you, Evan, for your dedication and leadership. Your work is helping CPN members elevate their skills and amplify their voices in the CMMC ecosystem.
Drop a comment below to congratulate Evan on this well-earned recognition.
🚨 Is Your Cloud & SaaS Security Holding Up? Let’s Find Out—For Free! 🚨
Cyber threats don’t send calendar invites. If your cloud and SaaS apps are vulnerable, attackers won’t wait for a formal introduction.
We’re offering a FREE One-Time Cloud & SaaS Security Assessment to uncover risks hiding in plain sight. No gimmicks, no sales pitch—just real security insights.
DM us or email guidance@northstarstrategies.us to claim your free assessment or learn more.
What You Get:
✅ 2 security scans over 30 days – Because threats don’t operate on a single snapshot.
✅ Full access to security insights & reporting – See exactly where the gaps are.
✅ Covers up to 3 SaaS or Cloud Apps – Your most critical platforms, analyzed.
✅ Actionable recommendations – Not just a report, but a game plan.
This is your risk-free opportunity to get ahead of security gaps before they turn into costly breaches.
🚀 Spots are limited – Grab yours before they’re gone!
#Cybersecurity#CloudSecurity#SaaS#SecurityAssessment
Connecting Small Businesses to Affordable CMMC Solutions
The Google Workspace Pathway Advisory Team is Taking Shape
We’re excited to announce that the CMMC Professionals Network (CPN) Google Workspace Learning Pathway Advisory Team is coming together, with a strong group of professionals already on board to develop hands-on CMMC training for Google Workspace solutions.
We still have up to three open roles for advisors. This is your chance to be part of an outstanding opportunity to help shape and deliver hands-on CMMC implementation training while collaborating directly with senior Google Workspace executives.
As an advisor, you’ll play a key role in ensuring CPN members gain practical experience in implementing and assessing CMMC compliance using Google Workspace.
Special thanks to Jeff Brown and the Google Workspace team for supporting this initiative and helping bring real-world training opportunities to CPN members.
If you're interested in joining the advisory team, DM me today. Let’s build something great together. Allen Westley, CSM, CISSP, MBAAlex O.Evan Dumouchel, CMMC Certified Professional (CCP)
Founder, North Star Strategies | Cut Waste. Align Tech. Drive Growth.
Need CMMC compliance? Don't know where to start? Book some time to discuss your cybersecurity needs now: https://lnkd.in/gQ4fqfFH
🔥 HOT OFF THE PRESSES 🔥
Excited to share the latest episode of the Tactical Cyber Podcast! 🎙️
Thank you Darren Mott, FBI Special Agent (Ret.), "The CyBUr Guy" and Paul M Perry, CPA, CITP, CISM for having me on!
Dive deep with us as we explore the ins and outs of building an effective cybersecurity program and a ton of actionable steps for aligning with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). 🚀
🔍 Discover the three levels of CMMC certification, learn about the assessment process, and get tips on implementing robust cybersecurity practices. Whether you're in the Defense Industrial Base or just looking to bolster your security measures, this episode is packed with valuable insights!
🎧 Tune in now for actionable tactics and real-world experiences that can transform your cybersecurity strategy. Don't miss out! #CyberSecurity#CMMC#TacticalCyber#Podcast#compliance#leadership#OKRNorth Star Strategies
🎯 Essential viewing for MSPs and organizations navigating compliance.
As a former MSP executive who's managed hundreds of technology partnerships, Evan Dumouchel, CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) can confirm: unclear boundaries between MSPs and clients are often the first domino to fall in failed assessments.
Key point that resonated: "Having clear lines of delineation of responsibility in any relationship is super important. Boundaries are key."
Save this video to understand:
How to map responsibilities effectively
Where organizations may have dangerous gaps
Why this document can make or break your assessment
What's your experience with responsibility mapping between MSPs and clients?
#CMMC#MSP#CyberSecurity#ComplianceSuccess
Founder, North Star Strategies | Cut Waste. Align Tech. Drive Growth.
Free Cybersecurity and Compliance Game-Changer: The One Document That Could Make or Break Your Assessment - Curious to learn more? Let's chat. https://lnkd.in/gQ4fqfFH
Your MSP says they've got you covered for your compliance needs, but do you know exactly what they're covering? Or, as an MSP do you know exactly what your client needs to have covered? If you're in sales, are you trying to spin up a new line of business or revenue?
In this video, I break down how a simple spreadsheet - the Customer Responsibility Matrix - can save you hundreds of thousands in assessment surprises and reveal hidden value in your technology partnerships.
Key insights:
- Learn why missing this document almost guarantees assessment failure
- Discover the basic concept behind mapping responsibilities to your current providers
- See how to identify gaps before they become costly problems
- Understand what your MSP should (and shouldn't) be providing
Don't let unclear boundaries sink your compliance efforts. Watch now to learn how this one document can transform your CMMC journey. #CMMC#Cybersecurity#MSP#RiskManagement#ComplianceSuccess#Leadership#Boundaries#ComplianceCEIC GLOBALDarren Mott, FBI Special Agent (Ret.), "The CyBUr Guy"Paige HansonCMMC Professionals Network (CPN)
We help MSPs and their clients prepare for and overcome the challenges of cybersecurity compliance requirements like CMMC. We are your shield and your growth driver. Whether you're an MSP looking to expand your compliance offerings or a regulated business seeking strategic guidance, let's talk: https://lnkd.in/gQ4fqfFH
I used to get so frustrated with failure.
Early in my career, I was stuck in this cycle—trying, failing, trying again. And honestly, it drove me nuts. I'd look at what went wrong and think, "I already know the answer, why do I have to keep going through this?" It felt like I was wasting time. I'd go straight to fixing things, skipping past what happened and moving on.
But what I’ve realized over time is that you can’t just skip past failure. You have to go through it. You have to let it sink in, and more importantly, you have to let others go through it, too.
As a leader now, I’ve learned that when something doesn’t go the way we want—maybe it’s a deal that went sideways or a project that missed the mark—my instinct (very common, it's one of the parts that makes us want to be leaders) is to step in and say, "Here's what happened, here’s how we fix it." But that doesn’t really help in the long run. People need to process it for themselves, in their own way.
Some people need to talk it out. Some need to write it down. Some just need time to think. I’ve learned that it’s not about me knowing the answer, it’s about them figuring it out. I don’t know them as well as they know themselves, and it’s important to give them space to work through it.
I try to ask questions instead of giving answers:
What did you expect to happen?
Where did it start to feel off?
What would you do differently next time?
Watching people work through their experiences and come out stronger on the other side is one of the most interesting parts of what I do now.
If you’re frustrated with the process of failing over and over, I get it. But trust me, letting yourself and others work through it is where the real progress happens.
Darren Mott, FBI Special Agent (Ret.), "The CyBUr Guy"Scott E. AugenbaumChristopher SmithJoey ViolaTheresa Phung CushnieKevin KleinJack SegarAnna Y.William Serrano#Leadership#GrowthMindset#FailForward#LessonsLearned#PeopleFirst#SalesLeadDog