A Journey in Cyber Strategy!
In cybersecurity, staying ahead requires a relentless pursuit of innovation and adaptation to emerging technologies. Leaders in this field understand the imperative of not only meeting current demands but also anticipating future challenges. This ethos is epitomized by Michael Crandall, a seasoned professional with a diverse career trajectory that spans from military service to founding and leading Digital Beachhead, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.
With over 30 years of experience, Michael has navigated through various roles, beginning with a strong aspiration for a legal career, which developed into a deep dive into information technology and cybersecurity. His journey includes crucial contributions to the Department of Defense’s network architecture and cybersecurity strategies, culminating in leadership positions that shape the industry today.
At Digital Beachhead, under Michael’s guidance as Chief Executive Officer, the company has carved a niche by prioritizing strategic growth and client-centric approaches. This approach has garnered recognition from esteemed bodies like the U.S. Congress and accolades for its innovative cybersecurity consulting services. Michael’s leadership philosophy revolves around fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where team members are empowered to excel, mirroring his military principles of dedication and excellence.
Digital Beachhead itself stands as a testament to Michael’s commitment to scaling cybersecurity solutions tailored to meet the needs of small to midsize businesses. The company’s expansion into new markets and ongoing pursuit of certifications such as CMMC underscore its dedication to providing robust and accessible cybersecurity frameworks.
As Michael continues to lead Digital Beachhead towards new milestones, including the pursuit of C3PAO certification, his vision remains steadfast: to empower organizations with the tools and strategies needed to navigate an increasingly complex cybersecurity environment.
Let’s explore the impactful journey of Michael:
From Legal Aspirations to Cyber Leadership
Michael’s career journey commenced with a strong aspiration for a legal career, particularly in business law, influenced by the prevailing themes of success in the 1980s. Following his undergraduate studies, however, he experienced burnout and deferred his law school plans by enlisting in the military. His intention was to gain worldly experience and leverage the GI Bill for future educational pursuits.
Unexpectedly, Michael’s trajectory shifted when his exposure to computer programming during college led him to the forefront of desktop computing within the military. This marked the beginning of his immersion in network building and the exploration of emerging technologies. Stationed in Europe, he embraced additional training opportunities that solidified his transition into a long-term career in information technology.
His crucial role allowed him to significantly impact the Department of Defense’s network architecture and cybersecurity strategies, contributing to the development of key cyber career fields utilized by the DoD today. Over 12 years in Europe, Michael honed his expertise in the cyber environment, culminating in his tenure overseeing the security operations of the $50 billion Air Force Satellite Control Network in Colorado. Here, he further developed into a Chief Information Security Officer managing global systems.
Transitioning from military service, Michael spent several years as a government contractor for a major organization. Following corporate mergers and acquisitions, he sought new challenges and founded Digital Beachhead, where he currently leads operations.
His diverse career experiences have enriched Michael’s leadership style, drawing from military principles of motivating teams to exceed expectations. At Digital Beachhead, he fosters a familial atmosphere reminiscent of his military service, contrasting sharply with the impersonal corporate environments he encountered. He emphasizes the importance of valuing team members and providing opportunities for growth, reflecting his belief that empowered teams yield the best outcomes.
Michael’s journey intertwines a passion for law and a serendipitous immersion into technology and cybersecurity, culminating in leadership roles that continue to shape his professional ethos at Digital Beachhead.
Leadership in Strategy and Team Synergy
Michael humorously remarks that he’s “the face of the company with a face for radio,” acknowledging his role as a guiding force for the organization, team and clients. His responsibilities encompass developing winning business strategies for the company, fostering customer-centricity and personal growth within the team and ensuring clients benefit from robust yet cost-effective cybersecurity strategies. However, Michael states that success hinges not solely on his actions but on the collaborative efforts of the entire team.
Strategic Solutions for Small to Midsize Businesses
Michael aims to leverage over 30 years of experience, marked by numerous trials and successes, to deliver cost-effective solutions to the small to midsize business sector. Drawing inspiration from the military ethos of achieving “more with less,” he states maximizing output within any given budget constraint. This approach involves thoroughly assessing clients’ current circumstances (“as is” state), collaborating closely with their leadership to align with financial parameters and crafting tailored solutions that precisely address their requirements. Ultimately, the goal is to optimize the “end state,” incorporating future-proofing measures to enhance security as resources permit over time.
Steady Growth and Strategic Achievements
Digital Beachhead has pursued a strategy of gradual, consistent expansion throughout its years in operation. Emphasizing a “crawl, walk, run” approach, the company prioritizes sustainable growth by carefully selecting clients it can effectively support. This strategy ensures that Digital Beachhead can scale alongside its client base while maintaining high standards of client support.
Notable milestones include recognition by the U.S. Congress for excellence in Federal procurements, achieving awards for best client-focused cybersecurity consulting in 2022 and 2023, and successfully expanding operations into Canada. Collaborating directly with the city of London, Ontario, Digital Beachhead has played a fundamental role in extending cybersecurity services to underserved small businesses in the region.
Customized Cybersecurity Solutions and Continuous Innovation
In every client engagement, Michael’s priority is understanding their specific requirements and capabilities. This initial assessment helps determine whether clients need compliance solutions, strategic guidance or comprehensive support. The company prides itself on its ability to tailor solutions by leveraging a diverse array of cybersecurity tools available in its “tool belt.” Maintaining a vendor-agnostic approach, the company continuously evaluates, tests and adopts new product offerings to ensure clients receive best-in-class toolsets.
This commitment to innovation enables the organization to provide cost-effective solutions, such as 24/7 monitoring, starting at $1 per day per endpoint. Beyond basic needs, additional client requirements prompt further customization, ensuring the selection of tools that best align with their specific objectives.
Leadership through Example and Team Empowerment
With over two decades of military service, Michael has embraced a leadership philosophy centered on leading by example. Whether engaging directly with clients or handling essential behind-the-scenes tasks, he demonstrates a hands-on approach that underscores his commitment to teamwork. Michael believes in acknowledging the crucial role each team member plays within the organization, not only through recognition and praise but also by showcasing their expertise within the community. By fostering an environment where team members are valued, akin to special forces operatives in the cybersecurity field, he motivates them to excel and consistently meet high expectations.
Innovative Cybersecurity Solutions for Every Size Business
Remaining at the forefront of the technological environment, particularly in cybersecurity, requires a continuous pursuit of advancement rather than settling for current capabilities. Michael states this by ensuring his team participates in conferences, workshops and seminars focused on emerging technologies. This proactive approach not only keeps them informed about the latest developments but also encourages forward-thinking strategies to anticipate future advancements.
An innovative initiative implemented by Michael involves scaling capabilities to support smaller entities within the cybersecurity sector. Recognizing that many toolsets have prohibitive purchase minimums for small to midsize companies, Digital Beachhead engages with larger service providers to negotiate contracts that can be segmented into affordable, appropriately sized service packages for clients. This approach enables broader access to sophisticated cybersecurity solutions that might otherwise be financially out of reach for smaller organizations.
Consistency Over Complacency
Michael states the importance of ongoing compliance reviews for clients, highlighting a straightforward yet often overlooked approach. The team at Digital Beachhead employs verification tools whenever feasible to ensure continuous compliance. When tools are not available or practical, they conduct weekly meetings with clients to assess their compliance status, identify any changes and address open compliance issues requiring resolution. This proactive and consistent approach underscores their commitment to achieving and maintaining compliance, prioritizing diligence over complacency.
Striking Work-Life Balance
Michael acknowledges that achieving work-life balance is his most challenging responsibility, as he tends to push himself harder than he expects from his team. Finding this equilibrium is crucial, albeit difficult. His personal strategy involves scheduling dedicated “me” and family time in his calendar. This proactive approach ensures that these commitments are visible and anticipated, preventing him from becoming consumed solely by work and fostering a balanced lifestyle.
Expanding Capabilities
Michael’s next objective is to attain certification as a CMMC Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), enabling Digital Beachhead to assess Defense Industry Base (DIB) companies engaged with the Department of Defense (DoD). This certification requires passing an audit, a preparation in which their clients have received guidance from Michael’s team. Achieving this status not only validates their advisory role but also broadens their service capabilities to include official assessments recognized by the DoD. Currently undergoing the audit process, he anticipates achieving this milestone by year’s end.
