Leadership

The Business of Cyber Defense: How Leaders Prepare for and Recover from Cyber Threats

Uprise Partners was proud to collaborate with the University of New England College of Business on this year’s Spark Series event: The Business of Cyber Defense: How Leaders Prepare for and Recover from Cyber threats. As a company deeply committed to helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture, we were honored to help bring together business leaders, educators, and cybersecurity experts for this important conversation.

Uprise Partners was proud to collaborate with the University of New England College of Business to host the second annual Spark Series, “The Business of Cyber Defense: How Leaders Prepare for and Recover from Cyber Threats.”

This year’s event gave attendees an inside look at the realities of modern cyber threats, including a first-hand account of a real ransomware attack and the expert strategies used to contain the damage, restore operations, and strengthen defenses for the future.



The panel featured leaders and experts who have stood on the front lines of cyber incidents:

  • Paul White, CEO of the Paul White Company, shared how his organization endured and recovered from a ransomware attack.
  • Cody Braunscheidel, Cyber Incident Manager at CFC Response, offered insights from years of responding to real-world cyber crises.
  • Luke Goodine, Insurance Advisor at Chalmers Insurance Group, discussed how proactive risk management and communication can help organizations prepare for the unexpected
  • Kyle Peterson, Senior Director of Services at Uprise Partners, discussed best practices for proactive monitoring, compliance, and business continuity.
  • Nate Nappi, Senior Director of Business Development at Uprise Partners, shared how small and medium-sized businesses can drive growth while strengthening defenses against evolving cyber threats.

Together, the panel highlighted one powerful message: while cybercrime may be a $10.5 trillion industry, our collective defense begins with knowledge, collaboration, and vigilance.

Watch the full discussion to learn what happens during a ransomware attack, how experts contain the damage, and the steps every organization should take to prepare and recover.

Malinda Gagnon

Malinda is CEO at Uprise and has more than 20 years of experience in business strategy and technology at companies including Google and WPP, and has advised clients such as Procter & Gamble, General Electric, VW, BlackRock, and Walmart.

Latest Posts

IT
24
Feb
2026

We're proud to share that Uprise Partners has been named to CRN's 2026 MSP 500 list in the Pioneer 250 category for our commitment to providing strategic, security-first IT solutions purpose-built for small and mid-sized businesses.

Leadership
20
Feb
2026

What will distinguish the companies that excel in 2026 from those that struggle to keep pace? It won’t be technology alone—it will be leaders who recognize that technology is no longer just an operational function; it is a catalyst for growth, resilience, and sustained market advantage.

Get our latest news and updates!