Things You Need To Know About CMMC 2.0

Michael is an experienced cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of industry experience. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kobalt.io, a rapidly growing cloud-focused security services provider. Kobalt.io works with over 500 cloud-focused technology companies to help develop their cyber security programs and ensure the security of their organization.

About Kobalt.io

Kobalt.io is a rapidly growing company that manages all aspects of cybersecurity programs for small and medium-sized, cloud-native businesses. Our team acts as an extension of our clients, considering their unique limitations and needs and supporting them with services ranging from security program-as-a-service to privacy management and 24/7 monitoring. Ensuring our client’s security and helping drive their business growth are our top priorities.

With more than 2 decades of experience in manufacturing, I am the founder of Spindles Turning & Earning Solutions LTD. As a Redseal Journey Level Machinist, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by manufacturers in various verticals.

My core competencies include process improvement, new business development, and key account management. I bring solutions to local manufacturers, helping them optimize their production, reduce costs, and improve margins. I have implemented proven solutions for several clients, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars. I am also passionate about staying on top of the latest developments in computer hardware and industrial automation, and leveraging the wealth of experience and products available through my global network.

My mission is to make North American manufacturers thrive in a competitive and dynamic market.

I am a born problem solver who is not afraid to get uncomfortable in order to achieve the greater good. I have taken over 10,000 hours of leadership training and development and am committed to continuous improvement and personal growth. In my free time, I enjoy various games and outdoor activities, and I collect skulls as a reminder to focus on what matters most.

About Spindles Turning & Earning Solutions LTD

At Spindles Turning & Earning Solutions LTD, we believe that North America should be the world hub of manufacturing, where everything we need is made within our continent. Our mission is to transform manufacturing by empowering shop owners and operators to maximize their operations through strategic partnerships, continuous growth, and development. With over 22 years of experience—from CNC machining to distributor sales and leadership training—We bring real-world solutions, not just textbook jargon, to tackle the challenges that keep your spindles from turning and earning.
Whether it's reducing per-part costs, cutting down setup times, or establishing robust training structures, our holistic approach addresses both; the technical and human factors to ensure your continued success. Together, we can make manufacturing a fulfilling, rewarding, and thriving career, while strengthening our economy for the future and beyond. 

James Clendenan is a seasoned computer engineer with over a decade of experience in systems architecture, IT support services, and cutting-edge technology solutions. With a deep commitment to innovation, James excels in aligning client needs with practical, sustainable outcomes that drive efficiency and performance.

Throughout his career, James has overseen the administration of more than 500 active local and remote user accounts, while managing over 200 servers. He led the transformative upgrades of network infrastructures from 1G to 10G and beyond, which significantly enhanced network performance and reliability. This improvement boosted organizational productivity and resiliency to technical failures of components.

His core competencies include Linux and network systems, system design, server administration, virtualization, and storage systems, among others. Driven by a passion for pushing the boundaries of technological innovation, James is dedicated to delivering remarkable solutions and helping clients realize their grand visions through practical, forward-thinking, and cost effective advice.

Currently James is acting as the Regional Director for Canada as part of Protectli, an industrial computer manufacturer specializing in low power consumption, high performance computers as the platform for Open Source software solutions.

About Protectli

Protectli is dedicated to providing reliable, cost effective, and secure computer equipment that doesn’t lock you into proprietary vendors and expensive contracts.
Protectli hardware is trusted by thousands of customers who rely on us for secure hardware solutions that protect their networks from the internet.
The Protectli team is made of individuals who have decades of experience in networking and security. We look forward to helping you secure your most important assets.

Tom Cupples has over 3 decades of experience in Information Technology and Cybersecurity, serving industries such as education, manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and telecommunications.

Tom holds multiple certifications, including CISSP, CGRC, PMP, to name a few. Most importantly, he holds the Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA) certification, among others, from the CyberAB and is one of just over 50 CCAs qualified to serve as lead assessors on a C3PAO assessment team. He has been assessing companies against CMMC practices for over 5 years. Additionally, he holds the Provisional Instructor (PI) certification, qualifying him to teach the next generation of CMMC assessors how to help secure the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) by performing gap and certification assessments, which he has been doing for nearly 3 years.

Tom is currently in a leadership role as the CMMC Lead/Senior Assessor for the Federal Team at Prescient Security, where he brings his wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront.

About Prescient Security and Assurance

Prescient Security and Assurance: Your global partner in cybersecurity. We specialize in cloud-native technologies, modern application security, and multi-framework compliance to keep your business agile, secure, and aligned with global standards. Our expert care transforms cybersecurity and compliance into a purposeful journey, navigated with clarity and confidence.