Mastering Cybersecurity & IT with Fort Edward’s ADKtechs

For over two decades, Adirondack Technical Solutions, commonly branded as ADKtechs, has been a trusted technology partner. Celebrating the start of its 21st year in business, the company continues to innovate. Recently relocating to a new office near Exit 17 in the Capital Region, ADKtechs is focused on providing an amazing culture and high-quality service. Under the leadership of President Jared Humiston, the Fort Edward-based managed security service provider helps local companies manage IT efficiently, strengthen cybersecurity, and avoid costly disruptions.

The Shift to Proactive IT Management

In the early days, most businesses treated IT as a reactive necessity. Companies waited for problems to occur before calling for help, creating what Humiston describes as an exhausting “fire truck” model where teams simply rush to put out fires.

To combat this organized chaos, ADKtechs pivoted away from offering piecemeal, a la carte services. Allowing companies to pick and choose protections often leaves dangerous gaps in security. Instead, the firm champions a standardized IT program. This comprehensive approach covers desktop installations, advanced malware monitoring, and employee training to build a robust human firewall. It also involves independent penetration testing to purposefully search for vulnerabilities and verify that security controls are effective. By standardizing practices, businesses can proactively innovate rather than simply react to emergencies.

Combating Ransomware and Minimizing Downtime

One of the most severe threats facing modern organizations is ransomware. Malicious actors execute code to infiltrate a network, encrypt vital data, and demand a ransom for the decryption key. While some organizations mistakenly believe cyber liability insurance is enough to save them, Humiston warns that insurance should be the absolute last resort for an emergency.

When a cyberattack occurs, prolonged downtime is the true enemy. A robust IT partner ensures companies have tested incident response plans and reliable backups. If a network is compromised, the goal is to seamlessly roll back to a secure state, restoring data in minutes. Participating in tabletop exercises helps leadership teams understand what a disruption would cost and how to achieve a swift return to business operations.

Navigating the Risks and Rewards of AI

Artificial intelligence is dominating business conversations, offering both distinct advantages and hidden dangers. One emerging threat is “shadow AI,” which occurs when employees bring unvetted technology into the business. For example, a worker might use a free AI engine to process a financial spreadsheet, unintentionally teaching the AI proprietary company data. To prevent sensitive information from becoming compromised, Humiston advises companies to establish strict AI policies and utilize closed, confidential AI subscriptions.

When used responsibly, AI is a powerful tool to speed up creativity and business outcomes. ADKtechs leverages artificial intelligence to parse through security event logs across networks, cloud platforms, and endpoints. The technology quickly identifies anomalies like “impossible travel,” a scenario where a user account logs in from distant locations, such as New York and Florida, within an impossibly short timeframe. However, AI still requires human expertise to filter out false positives. ADKtechs maintains a dedicated, full-time position solely for reviewing these security alerts to ensure accurate threat detection.

Cultivating Culture for Client Success

Beyond servers and software, the foundation of a successful IT firm is its people. The recent move to a vibrant new mixed-use location was driven by a desire to enhance company culture. The space provides employees with convenient access to nearby amenities, honoring the idea that an employee’s time is a valuable form of currency.

This investment in employee well-being directly benefits clients. High employee retention means customers interact with familiar faces who possess deep, tribal knowledge of their specific network environments. Currently, nearly the entire staff has been with the company for several years. For businesses navigating a complex digital world, partnering with a forward-thinking provider with a strong local team is essential for long-term growth.