Get to the Point — The High Point Networks Podcast

High Point Networks

Technology can feel overwhelming — the jargon, the pace, the pressure to keep up. Get to the Point exists to change that.  Hosted by Andy Middlemiss and Brandi Mentele of High Point Networks, Get to the Point is a podcast for business leaders, IT professionals, and anyone trying to make sense of how technology can actually work for them. Each episode cuts through the noise with honest conversations, real-world insights, and practical takeaways from people who live and breathe this stuff.  No fluff. No unnecessary jargon. Just the deeper "why" behind the technology decisions that matter — from a team you can trust.  New episodes every other Wednesday. Hosts: Andy Middlemiss & Brandi Mentele Audio & Video: Alex Conner Production, Post-Production & Management: Jasmine Joy  _______________________ Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

Episodes

  1. Big Brother: Is He Watching? Security, Privacy, and Where the Line Actually Is (with Aaron Zylla)

    5d ago

    Big Brother: Is He Watching? Security, Privacy, and Where the Line Actually Is (with Aaron Zylla)

    After Episode 6 sparked a bigger conversation, Aaron Zylla came back to finish it.  In this bonus, Andy, Brandi, and Aaron dig into one of the most charged topics in physical security — where does protection end and surveillance begin?  0:00 - Welcome back & why we're here  2:14 - Liberty vs. privacy: the Benjamin Franklin framing  4:30 - Mass-scale AI surveillance: myth or reality?  7:45 - What "no expectation of privacy in public" actually means  11:20 - Privacy masking: how it works and why it matters  15:08 - Business owners, communities, and where to draw the line  19:33 - State regulations, audio recording, and Colorado's consent law  24:10 - The Flock controversy and municipal regulations  27:45 - A real story: HPN crew, a public park, and the media  32:00 - Final thoughts and the liberty vs. privacy question    🗨️ Mentioned in this episode:   → Benjamin Franklin — "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" — from a 1755 letter written on behalf of the Pennsylvania Assembly. One of Franklin's most cited quotes, though its original context was a tax dispute rather than surveillance. Widely applied today to discussions of security vs. civil liberties.  → Google Street View litigation — Aaron references this case in the context of public visibility and privacy expectations. *Note: the actual Google Street View case (In re Google Inc. Street View Electronic Communications Litigation, Case No. 10-md-02184) involved Wi-Fi data collection, not visual surveillance. The legal principle Aaron describes — that there is no expectation of privacy for what is visible from a public road — is well established in U.S. law but stems from a broader body of case law. Listeners interested in this topic are encouraged to consult a legal professional familiar with privacy law in their state.  → Minority Report — referenced in discussion of AI surveillance myths. *Note: Aaron's comments on AI camera capabilities refer to commercially available systems of the kind HPN designs and installs. Government and law enforcement agencies may have access to more advanced facial recognition capabilities. The landscape is evolving quickly — listeners are encouraged to research current capabilities and regulations in their area.  → Flock — license plate recognition platform; currently subject to ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny in various municipalities  → Colorado single-party consent law — referenced as a state-specific example of audio recording regulations Connect with Aaron: www.linkedin.com/in/aaronzylla | aaron.zylla@highpointnetworks.com _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    17 min
  2. VMware, Broadcom, and What IT Leaders Need to Know Now: A Conversation with Brian Bensen

    Jun 16 ·  Bonus

    VMware, Broadcom, and What IT Leaders Need to Know Now: A Conversation with Brian Bensen

    Surprise drop! We're giving you an extra episode this month because this conversation is too important to sit on.  VMware didn't just change — it changed fast, and more than once. Since Broadcom's acquisition, organizations have watched licensing costs climb and options narrow, often without much warning. In this episode, Sales Engineer Brian Bensen walks through what happened, why there's no simple replacement, and how to think through your virtualization strategy before you're up against a deadline. Brian Bensen is a Sales Engineer at High Point Networks with expertise in on-premise and cloud solutions, servers, storage, virtualization, backup, and business continuity. Since 2018, he's helped organizations architect infrastructure that actually fits their environment — and their budget.   ✨ In this episode: → What made VMware the industry standard for over two decades  → What Broadcom's acquisition changed — and how licensing costs shifted  → Why no alternative is a straight swap for VMware  → The discovery questions worth asking before you make any moves  → Why six months of planning runway changes everything  → When staying with VMware might still be the right answer 🗨️ Mentioned in this episode: VMware | Broadcom | ESXi | vCenter | Hyper-V | KVM | HPE | vSphere Foundation | Cloud Foundation | AI data center infrastructure Connect with Brian: brian.bensen@highpointnetworks.com _____ 🕑 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & welcome  2:10 - What VMware built and why it mattered  7:30 - Broadcom acquires VMware: what changed  13:00 - Pricing increases and the licensing squeeze  17:45 - Alternatives: what's out there and what to consider  25:00 - The discovery questions HPN asks every customer  30:15 - Real-world timelines: why six months matters  35:30 - Closing thoughts & listener takeaways New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    32 min
  3. Beyond the Camera: What Physical Security Actually Does for Your Community (with Aaron Zylla)

    Jun 10

    Beyond the Camera: What Physical Security Actually Does for Your Community (with Aaron Zylla)

    Most organizations think physical security means hanging a camera and calling it a day.  Aaron Zylla, Senior Physical Security Engineer at High Point Networks, says that's the most dangerous assumption you can make. In this episode, Aaron breaks down what a real physical security strategy actually looks like, why it matters far beyond your building's front door, and how the right systems are actively making communities safer right now.   ✨ In this episode:  → Why "physical access is total access"  → The three Ds of physical security: detect, delay, and deny  → How automation and AI are replacing walls of monitors  → NDAA compliance — and why your cameras might not be legal  → License plate recognition and real-time crime centers  → How to budget for physical security without chasing the shiny stuff  → Where to start if you can't do everything ____ 🗨️ Mentioned in this episode: → CPTED — Criminal Prevention Through Environmental Design, a framework for reducing crime through the physical environment  → NDAA — National Defense Authorization Act; federal legislation restricting certain foreign-manufactured technology in critical infrastructure and government settings  → ShotSpotter — acoustic gunshot detection technology  → Evolv — weapons detection system → Flock — license plate recognition platform → Genetec / Axis — LPR and security camera platforms   Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronzylla/ | aaron.zylla@highpointnetworks.com _____ 🕑 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & welcome  3:44 - Physical access is total access: where to start  6:21 - The three Ds: detect, delay, and deny  10:04 - Security operations centers and the role of automation  11:29 - Cameras beyond surveillance: NDAA compliance explained  13:26 - License plate recognition and community safety  17:09 - Federating cameras with your city's real-time crime center  19:21 - Access control: more than just getting in the door  22:56 - How physical security impacts communities  26:04 - Advanced tech: thermal cameras, fence detection, and more  29:03 - Where to start and how to budget for physical security _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    35 min
  4. Why Comfort Kills: Growth, Complacency, and the IT Hype Cycle (with Brandon Conkins)

    May 27

    Why Comfort Kills: Growth, Complacency, and the IT Hype Cycle (with Brandon Conkins)

    If you're not evolving, you're falling behind. Brandon Conkins, Director of SMART Services at High Point Networks, makes the case for why comfort and complacency are among the biggest risks facing IT leaders and organizations today. Drawing from a viral street interview with Snowflake's CRO and the content of one of the world's fastest-growing business media channels, Brandon unpacks the vendor hype cycle, the psychology behind why people resist change, and what it actually means to get comfortable getting uncomfortable — in IT and in life. ✨ In this episode: → Why Snowflake's CRO said he can only forecast 12–18 months ahead in today's IT landscape → The five phases of the vendor hype cycle and how to spot vendors on the wrong side of it → What "burning the furniture to keep the house warm" looks like when private equity gets involved → Uncertainty intolerance — the science behind why people choose predictable bad outcomes over uncertain ones → How to break out of the comfort cycle — personally and organizationally → A closing quote that will stick with you: "When you're born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your choices." 🗨️ Mentioned in this episode:  -School of Hard Knocks (James Dumoulin) — www.youtube.com/@theschoolofhardknocks  -Mike Gannon, CRO at Snowflake — linkedin.com/in/michael-gannon-6371b11 Connect with Brandon: linkedin.com/in/bconkins | brandon.conkins@highpointnetworks.com _____ 🕑 Timestamps: 0:00 - Cold open: "What if it's getting too comfortable?"  0:28 - Welcome & Brandon Conkins introduction  1:51 - Today's topic: comfort, complacency, and IT  2:31 - The School of Hard Knocks interview & Snowflake's CRO  4:22 - The vendor hype cycle — five phases explained  7:33 - Why people choose comfort: uncertainty intolerance  9:26 - How to get comfortable getting uncomfortable  10:27 - Brandon's personal story: preparation meets opportunity  12:02 - Final nugget: "When you die, you look like your choices" _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    14 min
  5. Cyber Hygiene Without Fear: Building a Security Culture People Actually Like (with Lynn Soeth)

    May 13

    Cyber Hygiene Without Fear: Building a Security Culture People Actually Like (with Lynn Soeth)

    Fear-based cybersecurity training uses the same tactics as cybercriminals. And it's not working. Lynn Soeth, Service Manager of Security Services and Sales Engineering at High Point Networks, has been leading security teams since 2017 with a distinctly human-first approach. In this episode, she breaks down what it actually looks like to build a security culture people want to participate in — not one they dread. From the Little Mermaid as a metaphor for layered security, to a real-world email spoof that nearly cost HPN 60 laptops, to practical tips for making cybersecurity month something your team looks forward to — this episode is packed with stories and strategies any organization can act on. ✨ In this episode: → The five pillars of a positive security culture — more carrot, less stick → Why security starts at the top and what happens when leadership opts out → The Little Mermaid and layers of security — a perfect analogy for how protection actually works → Tabletop exercises — what they are, how to run them, and why your team needs one → The Nick story — a real email spoof that almost shipped 60 laptops to a sketchy house in New York → What cybersecurity month looks like at HPN and how to replicate it → One piece of advice for IT leaders and one for everyone else _____ Connect with Lynn: ✉️ lynn.soeth@highpointnetworks.com Resources mentioned: 🌐 CISA cybersecurity resources — cisa.gov _____ 🕑 Timestamps: 0:00 - Cold open: "Why does cybersecurity feel like a scare tactic?"  0:51 - Welcome & Lynn Soeth introduction  2:21 - Today's topic: building a security culture without fear  3:46 - Lynn's five pillars of a positive security culture  6:01 - Why fear-based training backfires — and what to do instead  8:50 - The Little Mermaid and layers of security  13:23 - Brandi's question: how do you actually make cyber hygiene fun?  17:24 - Security starts at the top — and it's contagious  18:59 - Tabletop exercises — what they are and why they matter  21:40 - The Nick story — a real email spoof at HPN  25:55 - What cybersecurity month looks like in practice  31:09 - Final advice for IT leaders and everyone else  32:20 - Where to find Lynn & closing thoughts _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    34 min
  6. When the Breach Happens: Response, Recovery, & the Role of AI (Part 2 of 2 with Shawn Mendel)

    Apr 29

    When the Breach Happens: Response, Recovery, & the Role of AI (Part 2 of 2 with Shawn Mendel)

    Understanding the threat is only half the equation. In Part 2, we shift from awareness to action. Shawn Mendel — Director of Professional Services and Incident Response Manager at High Point Networks — walks through what response and recovery actually look like once a breach is underway, how AI is being weaponized by threat actors, and the five areas every organization should focus on to reduce their risk before an incident ever happens. This episode closes with practical personal cyber hygiene advice anyone can act on today — no technical background required. In this episode: → Leadership communication during an active breach — and why your email may not be safe to use → How AI is making attacks faster, more targeted, and harder to detect → Shawn's five areas of focus: vulnerability patching, configuration reviews, account management, network segmentation, and zero trust strategy → Network segmentation explained in plain English → Personal protection: freezing your credit, monitoring services, password managers, and why passphrases beat passwords → Why it all comes back to people — and education  _____ 0:00 - Cold open & Part 1 recap  1:03 - Welcome back & topic setup  1:55 - Response & recovery: what happens after the first 24 hours  3:05 - Communication during a breach — including why email may not be safe  6:16 - AI's role in the modern threat landscape  8:14 - Shawn's five areas of focus  15:52 - It all comes back to people  17:35 - Personal cyber hygiene: credit, monitoring, passwords  22:39 - Guest thank you, where to find Shawn & CTA  _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    25 min
  7. When the Breach Happens: Ransomware, BEC, and the Modern Threat Landscape (Part 1 of 2 with Shawn Mendel)

    Apr 15

    When the Breach Happens: Ransomware, BEC, and the Modern Threat Landscape (Part 1 of 2 with Shawn Mendel)

    Cyber incidents don't start with panic. They start with patterns. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Shawn Mendel — Director of Professional Services and Incident Response Manager at High Point Networks — breaks down the modern threat landscape driving today's incidents. With nearly 30 years of experience, 15 as an engineer, and a reputation for calm, clear-headed leadership under pressure, Shawn brings the data and the real-world perspective leaders need before the crisis call ever comes. In this episode: → The three most common attack vectors cybercriminals use today → Why 43% of incidents are ransomware — and what that actually costs a business beyond the ransom itself → Business email compromise: how threat actors become someone you trust → What to ask your cyber insurance company before you ever need to call them → Why a tabletop exercise may be the most important thing your leadership team hasn't done yet _____ 00:00 — Cold open: "Would you know what to do?"  00:56 — Welcome & Shawn Mendel introduction  03:21 — Episode topic overview: today's threat landscape  03:57 — Attack vectors: what we're up against  05:45 — The data: ransomware, BEC, and breach statistics  07:45 — Ransomware deep dive: history and evolution  11:08 — What to expect if you're hit: insurance, downtime, recovery  15:35 — Table top exercises: how it works and how to protect yourself  20:06 — Cliffhanger outro & Part 2 tease _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    21 min
  8. Why This All Matters: Getting to the Point

    Mar 31

    Why This All Matters: Getting to the Point

    Every piece of technology has a story behind it. Not the specs. Not the features. The why. In our first episode, hosts Andy Middlemiss and Brandi Mentele share the story behind Get to the Point — how an idea born inside High Point Networks turned into a podcast built around one simple mission: technology is more interesting when you understand what it actually does for people. From a wireless network that helped a university attract and retain students, to a Real Time Crime Center in Pueblo, Colorado that helped save lives and find missing kids faster — this episode is a reminder that the tech on the surface can seem unremarkable. What it enables people to do is anything but. Andy and Brandi also share what listeners can expect going forward — real conversations, practical takeaways, and a commitment to cutting through the jargon so that technology feels approachable no matter your background. ✨ In this episode: → The origin story behind Get to the Point → Why the "why" behind technology matters more than the tech itself → What's coming in future episodes _____ 🕑 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction & welcome 0:56 - The origin story behind Get to the Point 3:45 - Why the "why" behind technology matters 6:30 - The City of Pueblo Real Time Crime Center story 7:45 - What listeners can expect going forward 9:00 - Outro & CTA _____ New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    10 min

  9. Season 1 Trailer

    Get to the Point | Official Trailer

    IT is complicated. This podcast isn't.  Get to the Point is where real IT experts have real conversations, cutting through the noise to give business leaders, IT professionals, and curious minds the clarity they *actually* need. Hosted by Andy Middlemiss and Brandi Mentele, each episode digs into the deeper "why" behind the technology that runs your business. We’re here to make it all feel less overwhelming and more...human. No fluff. No vendor pitches. Just honest talk about what's working, what isn't, and what's coming next. Season 1 kicks off April 1st. Subscribe now so it's waiting for you. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast. New episodes every other Wednesday. Connect with us: 🌐 highpointnetworks.com 📱 LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @highpointnetworks Subscribe — Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | And wherever you listen. Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Technology can feel overwhelming — the jargon, the pace, the pressure to keep up. Get to the Point exists to change that.  Hosted by Andy Middlemiss and Brandi Mentele of High Point Networks, Get to the Point is a podcast for business leaders, IT professionals, and anyone trying to make sense of how technology can actually work for them. Each episode cuts through the noise with honest conversations, real-world insights, and practical takeaways from people who live and breathe this stuff.  No fluff. No unnecessary jargon. Just the deeper "why" behind the technology decisions that matter — from a team you can trust.  New episodes every other Wednesday. Hosts: Andy Middlemiss & Brandi Mentele Audio & Video: Alex Conner Production, Post-Production & Management: Jasmine Joy  _______________________ Get to the Point is produced by High Point Networks for informational purposes only. Guests include High Point Networks professionals as well as subject matter experts from across the industry, each speaking from their own experience and expertise. Content shared is intended as general information and should be evaluated within the context of your specific organization and circumstances. Views expressed by outside guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of High Point Networks or its affiliates. High Point Networks assumes no liability for decisions or actions taken based on content discussed in this podcast.

Information