Meet Joe Goldstein | Cybersecurity Expert and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joe Goldstein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In discussions with fellow business owners, I often emphasize the importance of risk-taking as a cornerstone of entrepreneurial success. I believe that success is unattainable without the willingness to embrace risks. However, embracing risk does not imply reckless endangerment of resources without understanding the facets of the risk involved. Nor does it mean pursuing risks merely for the thrill of it. Effective risk-taking is a calculated process of assessing the situation, quantifying the risk, weighing the potential returns, and comprehensively understanding the advantages and disadvantages before making a well-informed decision.

At its essence, taking risks is fundamentally about comprehending the risk’s nature and its potential positive and negative implications. Throughout my career, I have embraced numerous risks. For example, starting a business was a significant risk, especially when I was unemployed and encouraged by my wife to cease job hunting and forge my own path. Another personal risk was purchasing our home in Florida, which represented a substantial financial commitment at the upper limits of our budget. However, this decision proved immensely rewarding, as we have grown to love our home and community deeply.

Risk-taking is a constant in business, varying from minor to major stakes. One of the most significant risks I took was offering remote support to clients regardless of their location. This strategy not only succeeded but also evolved into a fundamental aspect of our business model, with most of our clients located outside our immediate geographical area. The hiring of employees also represents a form of risk, with outcomes ranging from highly beneficial to decidedly unfavorable. Another venture was establishing an office in a different state, which ultimately was unsuccessful, partly due to the unforeseen impact of COVID-19. This experience reaffirmed that while some risks result in success, others do not yield the desired outcomes.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Summarizing the essence of my business into just a few paragraphs is a challenging task, yet, at its core, our mission is straightforward. We are, fundamentally, a customer service organization, albeit one with a specialized focus on cybersecurity and technology. Our guiding principle is to be the Olympians—the epitome of excellence— of Information Technology Managed Service organizations. We aspire to be the gold standard, the Olympians of customer service, in a field that is often technical and impersonal.

What distinguishes us in a crowded market is not merely our technical expertise or our proficiency in cybersecurity, areas where many can claim competence. Our differentiator combines these skills with a commitment to providing unparalleled service akin to that found in five-star resorts. This approach is especially pronounced in our long-standing focus on healthcare over the past 13 years, where we have consistently delivered a caliber of service that transcends the typical expectations for IT support in the healthcare sector.

Our journey has been one of continuous learning and adaptation. Offering comprehensive remote support necessitates ongoing education for our clients and staying abreast of the ever-evolving threat landscape. Over the years, our understanding of effective support, tools, and strategies for keeping our clients secure has evolved significantly. The cybersecurity environment is dynamic, and our toolkit and methods of client interaction have adapted accordingly. While the intricacies of our work are complex, our clients need not be burdened with understanding every detail. Their peace of mind comes from knowing we are relentlessly committed to their safety and success.

At the heart of our business is a deep-seated belief that our success is inextricably linked to that of our clients. OCS owes its achievements to the trust and partnership of those we serve. This relationship is the cornerstone of our brand, and we strive daily to uphold the Olympic-level excellence standard that defines OCS. This commitment to exceptional service, day in and day out, truly encapsulates what the OCS brand is all about.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I know this is “Shout Out Miami,” but we live in Southwest Florida. It’s a region we’re deeply connected to and love to share with our visitors. When family and friends come to stay with us in Cape Coral, they’re in for a week packed with quintessential Floridian experiences, all curated by us to showcase the best of our local lifestyle.

Boating is invariably at the core of our adventures. Owning a boat allows us to offer our guests unique experiences, such as trips to Cayo Costa and Cabbage Key. These locations are remarkable not just for their accessibility exclusively by boat but also for their distinct charm. Cabbage Key, for instance, offers a quaint setting for a leisurely meal and a stroll, presenting a slice of old Florida that’s both serene and captivating. With its bridgeless entry and pristine beaches, Cayo Costa offers an ideal spot for anchoring enjoying the sun, sand, and sea, making it a perfect day out on the water.

Culinary excursions are also a significant part of the experience. We delight in treating our guests to various dining experiences, from our go-to favorites like Crisp Creperie, Point 57, and Twisted Lobster to a finer experience at The Road House or The Veranda in Ft. Myers. If we want to do something extra special, we will take our guests to one of Naple’s finest establishments, Sails Restaurant. The gastronomic journey can be complemented by entertainment options such as comedy shows at local venues and captivating performances at the Barbara B Mann Theater.

Exploring the natural beauty and unique wildlife of Florida is another highlight. A trip down Alligator Alley and an airboat ride through the Everglades offers a thrilling and educational encounter with Florida’s wild side, debunking myths about alligators in the process. For sports enthusiasts, the options range from golfing on lush courses to playing pickleball, a rapidly growing sport in the region.

No visit would be complete without experiencing one of our family’s favorite activities: escape rooms. With nearly 200 escape rooms conquered over the years, introducing our guests to this engaging, problem-solving adventure ensures fun and memorable moments together.

Our aim is always to provide our visitors with a rich, varied experience of Southwest Florida, ensuring they leave with cherished memories and perhaps a little wearier than when they arrived, but in the best possible way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I reflect on my journey over the past sixteen years, my most profound gratitude is to my family. My wife, Jacqueline, has been an unwavering pillar of support through the exhilarating yet challenging venture of establishing OCSIT. My children, who were merely 5, 9, and 11 years old at the onset, showed remarkable resilience and understanding despite their tender ages. Their love and the skepticism from extended family members, particularly on my wife’s side, who doubted the viability of earning a living through what seemed like mere phone conversations and computer work, played a crucial role in our journey. It was a challenge to shift their perceptions and demonstrate the potential and ambition of what we were building.

The initial phase of OCSIT demanded significant sacrifices, including spending a whole year away from home to fulfill a contract in New Jersey, a stark transition from our life in California. This period was instrumental, acting as a springboard for the future success of OCSIT establishing invaluable contacts and relationships that would fuel our growth for years to come. The support from my family during this time, enduring my absence, and traveling far distances to visit during holidays was indispensable to my personal and our collective professional success.

Our journey also afforded unique opportunities, such as extensive travel that allowed my children to explore over 40 states. One memorable adventure was a month-long RV trip tied to a client project in Montana, which expanded into a two-month exploration of 17 states and covered 5,000 miles, offering an incredible summer experience. Despite the missed vacations and personal sacrifices, these experiences underscored the invaluable balance between professional endeavors and family life.

I must also pay homage to early influences that shaped my path: my father, who introduced me to the world of computing with a TRS-80 color computer, igniting my passion for technology; Mr. Gary Jacobs, my Vo-Tec teacher, who provided a foundational knowledge base in my formative years; and the numerous managers and mentors whose guidance refined my approach to management, business operations, and customer service. Their collective impact has been pivotal in reaching the heights I have today, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Website: www.ocsit.com

Instagram: ocsit_fl

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joegoldstein/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareOCSIT

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrWyqc-TP01KJRiILHL-oiA