<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=352585001801011&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Tyler Thepsiri

By: Tyler Thepsiri on December 16, 2022

Print/Save as PDF

How Can CONNSTEP Help Connecticut Manufacturers Find Cybersecurity Support?

IT Support

Connecticut manufacturers have access to a free resource to help with business growth, continuous improvement & learning strategies, quality management & certifications, technology & industry, training courses, and cybersecurity & compliance.

I’ve worked in IT for more than eight years. In my current role as manager, engineering services at Kelser Corporation, I track emerging cybersecurity threats and help guide companies just like yours with their security journeys.

I understand that for business leaders, whose primary job is not IT or cybersecurity, this can be an overwhelming subject. 

In this article, I’ll explain what CONNSTEP is and how it helps business leaders like you identify important opportunities to enhance your organization’s security footprint

At Kelser, rather than convince companies to work with us, we are committed to providing the information and resources business leaders need to make the best IT decision for their organization.

Whether you work with us or not, we want you to take all of the safety precautions necessary to keep your business protected.  

What Is CONNSTEP?

On its website, CONNSTEP defines itself as “Connecticut’s leading business consulting firm.” The organization focuses on “identifying opportunities for growth, improving productivity, and ensuring our clients remain competitive in evolving market conditions.”

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a network of manufacturing extension partners (MEPs) in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. CONNSTEP is Connecticut’s MEP.

Each organization focuses on “helping small and medium-sized manufacturers generate business results and thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.” The MEP National Network brings together more than 1,400 advisors and experts to serve as a resource for U.S. manufacturers.

According to the NIST website, the MEP specialists “understand the needs of America’s small manufacturers…[and provide] companies with services and access to public and private resources to enhance growth, improve productivity, reduce costs, and expand capacity.” 

What Does CONNSTEP Do?

CONNSTEP defines its mission as follows:

"To help Connecticut small and medium-sized manufacturers and other businesses reach their goals by strengthening their strategic, technical, and operational expertise, thereby supporting the growth of Connecticut’s economy."

The organization goes on to say that their consultants “are subject matter experts who implement advanced business and technical solutions, as well as workforce strategies, using a holistic approach that generates bottom-line improvements and produces innovative, results-driven top-line growth for your organization.”

How Does CONNSTEP Work With Manufacturers? 

In 2021, Connecticut ranked eighth in the nation for defense spending, with nearly $20 billion spent with contractors and subcontractors in the state.

For these manufacturing companies, many of which are small and medium-sized businesses, financial resources may be limited. As a result, they may not be able to focus on identifying growth opportunities and resources. 

That’s where CONNSTEP comes in.

As an MEP, CONNSTEP has access to information and resources that can be helpful to local manufacturers.

The organization serves as a consultant. Its experts come into a company, assess and identify gaps (in knowledge, processes, or technology, for example,) and recommend organizations that can help plug the gaps

What IS CONNSTEP’s Role In Cybersecurity? 

As with any of the other topics CONNSTEP advises organizations on, their experts can work with an organization to assess the tools in place, identify areas where extra help is needed, and recommend a local company to come in and implement solutions

For example, any company that works with the government is required to be compliant with NIST 800-171. CONNSTEP will ask if the company is NIST 800-171 compliant. If not, they have contacts they can recommend to the company that can work with them to achieve compliance

 In each of the subject areas CONNSTEP evaluates, they do not actually provide solutions but can recommend resources to help manufacturing companies implement what they need

How Does CONNSTEP Work With Companies?

Let’s continue to use the NIST 800-171 compliance example. 

Step 1

A Connecticut defense contractor or subcontractor struggling with NIST 800-171 contacts CONNSTEP to ask for help. 

Step 2

CONNSTEP sends its experts to the business to assess the current state of NIST compliance.

Based on the analysis, CONNSTEP recommends the steps that need to happen and provides information about an external organization (or several) that could implement the solutions identified

Step 3

The contractor or subcontractor evaluates the options, selects one, and contacts the company they want to work with to implement the solutions.

The provider and contractor or subcontractor draw up an agreement, work begins, and the contractor or subcontractor pays the company providing the service directly. 

Can CONNSTEP Help Your Organization With Cybersecurity? 

When it comes to cybersecurity, (as with its other areas of expertise,) CONNSTEP can perform a credible assessment and identify gaps within your organization, but won’t help you implement the technical solutions

From there, you’ll need to either work with your internal IT team or an external provider that has the expertise and experience you need to put in place the appropriate solutions for your business. 


Related article: Does My Company Need A Cybersecurity Plan? 


So just to reiterate, CONNSTEP can help identify the gaps, but then the onus is on your organization to work with the appropriate subject matter experts to get the solutions you need. 

While cybersecurity is important for all organizations, (no matter their size,) companies that work on government contracts and subcontracts often have contractual obligations and compliance requirements that hold them to a higher standard.

Some companies have the internal resources and know-how to handle these requirements while others, usually smaller organizations, often turn to outside resources who are experienced, know what to look for, and are familiar with the requirements and the solutions. 

What’s Next? 

Only you can answer what the next step is for your organization. 

After reading this article, you understand the role CONNSTEP can play in helping you identify  strategic, technical, and operational gaps and resources. It might make sense for you to reach out to CONNSTEP if you need help identifying your problem areas. 

If you already know where the gaps exist and have identified possible solutions, you might be able to move ahead without involving CONNSTEP. 


Related article: Data Backups Are Key To Cybersecurity & Disaster Recovery


With regard to cybersecurity in particular, if you are struggling to keep up with the threat landscape, address security challenges, monitor and continually assess your organization’s risk, and implement the necessary protections, you may benefit from an external IT service provider. 

At Kelser, we advise clients on cybersecurity issues and technology solutions regularly as part of our comprehensive managed IT support services. But, we also know that managed IT support isn’t the right answer for every organization. 

Rather than push you into a solution that might not be the right fit for your organization, we are committed to providing the information you need to make the best IT decision for you. Whether we work together or not, we want to publish articles you can use that are honest, straightforward, and easy to understand

Read this article to learn five essential NIST-related cybersecurity functions you must address.

Are your organization’s cybersecurity tools up to the latest threats? Download our FREE cybersecurity checklist to evaluate your current state and identify areas that need work. 

Get Your Cybersecurity Checklist

 

About Tyler Thepsiri

With more than 10 years in the IT industry, Tyler is able to adapt quickly to almost any technological issue. He understands how systems should work, and specializes in security and compliance.

Suggested Posts

Visit Our Learning Center