The threat of a cybersecurity breach doesn’t care about a company’s size. What matters is how to gain entry. Unfortunately, many small businesses don’t have access to top-tier cyber solutions. After years of protecting the grid system, Ryan Sheskey launched Forcetron Technologies to reduce small companies’ risk exposure.
A Tech Veteran Who Started Early
Sheskey immersed himself in tech before most people had an email address. “I’ve been in the field of technology ever since I was in high school in the late 1990s,” he says. “I went to Franklin University for Information Technology and graduated in 2006.” It’s that early connection that turned into a decade-long career.
In 2008, Sheskey began his cybersecurity career at American Electric Power. In that capacity, he honed most of his cybersecurity skills. For 16 years, he built systems that protect one of the nation’s most extensive electric grids. “I was the one who was behind the scenes, designing and implementing a lot of their cybersecurity controls,” he says. It wasn’t a flashy job, but it was critical.
The 2020 pandemic was a turning point for Sheskey. Like many professionals, the crisis gave him space to rethink his path. “During the pandemic, I noticed that small businesses were doing their best to use technology to stay afloat, but they lacked the expertise to properly implement sustainable solutions,” Sheskey says. “With my experience gained working in enterprise environments, I thought I could bring enterprise IT solutions to small businesses in our area.” Big-budget cybersecurity solutions were out of reach for small businesses. This problem is one he set out to resolve.
The Spark Behind Forcetron Technologies
“During COVID-19, I started Forcetron Technologies because one of the things I wanted to do was to start branching out a little on my own,” Sheskey says. With his brother-in-law as co-owner, they aimed to bring enterprise-level security knowledge to small businesses that can’t afford traditional consulting firms. “We saw a niche market in Southern Ohio, and we just expanded from there,” he says.
Southern Ohio became their testing ground. Sheskey noticed that many local companies were vulnerable and struggling. Email breaches, data loss, and insecure cloud storage plague businesses with no in-house tech support. Forcetron Technologies gets small companies up to speed with foundational technology solutions and cybersecurity so they can grow safely. Some of those early clients now operate as midsize businesses.
New Tech Brings New Challenges
Securing cloud computing dominates tech conversations. “We’ve been seeing a lot of demand for it,” Sheskey says. There’s also a lot of interest in artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, he sees these changes as a serious development that needs careful attention.
“Change is inevitable, so the best way to do it is to embrace it,” Sheskey says. With that mindset, he doesn’t believe in reacting with fear but responding with discipline. As he sees it, new technology is invaluable only when understood and implemented safely.
Basics Lead to Better Solutions
Sheskey doesn’t offer predictions about the future of cybersecurity. Instead, he provides preparations. In other words, he sticks to the fundamentals as the best means for helping small companies feel secure.
“I have built my brand around the basics of technology,” Sheskey says. It’s an approach to business that keeps him focused on finding solutions to core problems. It’s one of the reasons clients trust him.
Guided by the importance of public service, Forcetron Technologies donates to local youth organizations. Aside from giving back to his community, Sheskey is the proud father of a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter.
