From MePush

MePush, a tech services company with locations in Lewisburg and Bloomsburg, sent its cyber security manager, Michael Frauenhoffer, to one of the world’s largest hacking conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada in early August.

The underground hacking conference, called DEF CON, was started in 1992 by Jeff Moss, also known as Dark Tangent online. Moss is a globally respected American hacker and computer and internet security expert

DEF CON is the world’s longest running and largest underground hacking conference.

Frauenhoffer is MePush’s in-house forensic security expert. He graduated from Bloomsburg University with a degree in Digital Forensics after spending some time using his expertise for good – in the military and cyber defense sectors.

Currently, he uses his hacking skills to assist MePush’s clients with compliance and cybersecurity, PCI and HIPAA compliance in particular, as well as military and Department of Defense compliance.

Michael says it was exciting to experience “the bleeding edge of the cyber security world [at DEF CON] so I can bring the information back to help MePush’s clients.”

DEF CON is a unique mixture of conference workshops, live talks and vendors, but intertwined in the mix is a robust social scene, plus hacking contests and “villages” for focused learning about topics like biohacking, social engineering, the Internet of Things, tamper evidence, data duplication, voting machine hacking, soldering skills, ethics, laser cutting, car hacking, and dozens of other trending topics in the underground world of hacking. 

Conference attendees who wish to compete in hacking competitions at the event were able to compete in pre-qualification rounds earlier this summer.

Registrations are not accepted in advance; they are taken in cash at the door so credit card and personal information are not stored or shared by DEF CON organizers.

Michael says that what’s so exciting about cybersecurity is that “compliance isn’t a once-and-done effort; it takes daily, weekly, and monthly follow-up. That’s where MePush really excels – ensuring that our clients become and stay compliant.”

Frauenhoffer quite literally hacks his way into secure systems to find the gaps that need to be filled and areas where data could be exploited, so additional security measures can be applied.

MePush provides IT support, web design, application development, consulting, and computer repair to local businesses, non-profit organizations, and residential customers. Their cybersecurity offerings include compliance on all levels, phishing and security testing, and penetration services which are an offensive way for businesses to ensure that systems are secure.

For more information on all Columbia Montour Chamber members that provide IT services, visit the computer/IT/internet services category in the online directory.

“Being a member of the Chamber has been a great benefit. It allows us to engage directly, one-on-one, with other professionals in the business community, and also provides simple, yet effective advertising opportunities to others in our service area.” – Harry Woytko, Owner, Boulder Landscape, LLC

Founded in 1988 by Harry Woytko, Boulder Landscape, LLC has evolved from a wholesale tree nursery and grown into a full service landscape design and building company as of 2006. The company has experienced a significant growth in recent years, allowing it to expand its capabilities into the outdoor living market.

Boulder Landscape offers professional landscape and hardscape design and construction services, with a specialty focus on outdoor living and professional property maintenance. Boulder’s honest and trustworthy approach to client needs, along with its attention to detail with an unmatched focus on customer service, partnered with a team of hardworking and educated professionals dedicated to the industry, allows it to continually provide creative outdoor solutions to both new and longtime customers. 

Over the year, Boulder has assisted in several Eagle Scout projects, and has also donated labor and materials to the Berwick Community Pool at Ber-Vaughn, as well as more recently, the Berwick Community Dog Park. Boulder is proud to be a part of the business community in the Columbia/Montour region and is excited to continue its growth and success in the coming years. 

Member spotlights are chosen via a random drawing from members that submit their business cards at a Business After Hours event. The next Business After Hours is scheduled for Aug. 29 at AGAPE.