Navigating IT Challenges in Nonprofits with Jason Ledney
Jason Ledney serves as the IT Manager for Saint Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged communities in Baltimore. With a background in IT management and experience in the MSP sector, Jason has been instrumental in optimizing IT resources to support a wide range of essential services, from Head Start programs to veteran services. His journey from a music teacher to an IT manager showcases his adaptability and commitment to improving technology in nonprofit spaces, where resources are often limited. At Saint Vincent de Paul, Jason leads efforts to implement secure, efficient IT systems, ensuring that critical services continue to operate smoothly.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- How Saint Vincent de Paul of Baltimore impacts Baltimore's underprivileged community
- The unique IT challenges of managing nonprofit operations across multiple sectors
- Strategies for addressing cybersecurity on a tight, grant-based budget
- The benefits of applying an MSP mindset to in-house IT for nonprofits
- How nonprofits can balance cybersecurity needs with limited funding
- Jason's advice for adaptable career growth in the IT sector
- Key cybersecurity hygiene practices and educating non-IT staff on security awareness
In this episode…
Matthew Connor sits down with Jason Ledney, the IT Manager at Saint Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, who shares insights on managing IT for a nonprofit with diverse operational needs. Jason explains how the organization serves various underprivileged groups through Head Start programs, homeless shelters, veteran support, and more, creating unique IT requirements for each division. He elaborates on the challenges of balancing security and accessibility across these services, highlighting the importance of adhering to compliance standards like HIPAA and FERPA to protect sensitive data.
Jason also discusses the financial constraints nonprofits face, especially in IT and cybersecurity. With a grant-based budget, prioritizing cybersecurity initiatives is crucial, yet difficult. Jason shares how he navigates these challenges by maximizing his team’s resources, strategically outsourcing, and educating colleagues on cybersecurity hygiene. His MSP experience brings a fresh perspective to internal IT management, allowing him to view each department as its own client, ensuring customized and efficient support.
As cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated, Jason emphasizes the importance of cyber-awareness for all employees, drawing on real-world examples like the dangers of QR code scams. He discusses the risks posed by advancements in AI-driven threats, such as deepfake voice and video scams, and the need for robust identity verification measures. Wrapping up, Jason shares his nontraditional career path from music teacher to IT professional, underscoring the value of adaptability in today’s tech landscape.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Matthew Connor on LinkedInCyberLynx
Jason Ledney on LinkedIn
St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore Website
Good Harvest Website
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