Ep 208: Dan Gericke - Securing SME IT in SaaS World Today

Leadership Conversations Podcast with Nick Jonsson

In Episode #208 of EGN Leadership Conversations: The Untold Secrets of the C-Suite, Nick Jonsson welcomes Dan Gericke, Co-Founder of ShiftControl, for a timely and practical conversation on one of today’s most pressing business concerns: IT security in a SaaS-driven world.

As organizations increasingly rely on cloud platforms, remote work tools, and third-party applications, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique cybersecurity challenges. While large enterprises often have dedicated security teams and large budgets, SMEs must secure complex systems with limited resources—making them especially vulnerable to cyber threats.

In this episode, Dan shares his real-world insights from working closely with growing companies navigating digital transformation. He explains why traditional security models no longer work in today’s SaaS-first environment and how attackers are exploiting gaps in identity management, access control, and user behavior.

Together, Nick and Dan explore:

  • The most common cybersecurity risks facing SMEs

  • Why SaaS tools introduce hidden vulnerabilities

  • The importance of identity and access management

  • How to prevent breaches caused by human error

  • Practical security frameworks for growing companies

  • How leaders can build a culture of security awareness

Dan breaks down complex technical topics into clear, actionable strategies that business leaders can implement immediately—without needing to become cybersecurity experts. From password hygiene and multi-factor authentication to vendor risk management and employee training, this episode delivers practical guidance every executive needs to hear.

A key takeaway is that security is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a leadership responsibility. Dan emphasizes how leadership behavior directly impacts security culture, and how executives must lead by example to protect their organizations.

This episode is especially valuable for:

  • Founders and CEOs

  • IT and operations leaders

  • Fast-growing startups

  • SMEs adopting cloud technology

  • Organizations moving toward remote work

Listeners will walk away with:

  • A clearer understanding of modern cyber threats

  • Simple, scalable security best practices

  • Tools to protect sensitive business data

  • Confidence in navigating the SaaS landscape safely

As technology evolves, so do cyber risks. This conversation equips leaders with the knowledge and mindset needed to future-proof their businesses and stay ahead of digital threats.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 208 to learn how to safeguard your company, protect your people, and lead confidently in today’s technology-driven world.

Contact Dan Gericke to collaborate with him:

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangericke/⁠⁠

Visit our website to find more podcast  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nickjonsson.com/leadership-conversations-the-untold-secrets-of-the-c-suite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode 207: Shing Shian Ngiam - Relearning How to Work with and not Against Nature