Building Cybersafe Communities Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:25:18 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/@CyberSquadVideoSeries en-us © 2026 Building Cybersafe Communities yes Texas, USA 6ee9447a-a6d5-5fc4-8f49-7b59d483ac1f Ryan Burns and Mike Bell episodic false Welcome to Building Cybersafe Communities, the podcast where government cybersecurity takes center stage! Brought to you by the Texas Municipal League Risk Pool's Cyber Squad, we’re here to help local governments in Texas navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape, protect critical data, and foster a culture of cyber resilience.  


Each episode, we’ll dive into the latest cybersecurity trends, explore best practices, and share real-world stories from experts and public officials on the front lines of digital defense. Whether you’re an IT professional, a city leader, or just someone curious about safeguarding your community, this podcast is your go-to guide for staying ahead of cyber threats.  


So join us as we get started on building a safer, stronger, and more connected community!

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) cybersecurity, technology, government, cities, Texas, cyber, threats, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell https://storage.buzzsprout.com/fa6948puhk79rrmc7y4sxngtl5og?.jpg Building Cybersafe Communities https://www.youtube.com/@CyberSquadVideoSeries Mike Bell Ryan Burns Ep. 13: Anatomy of a Cyber Incident Response Ep. 13: Anatomy of a Cyber Incident Response In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guests Rebecca Pollack, Senior Cyber Claims Counsel, and Joe Hoosech, Principal of Digital Forensics and Incident Response, from Cowbell Cyber.  The discussion revolves around what happens during a cyber event and how the services provided by your cyber coverage can assist you in mitigation, response, and recovery.  

Want to learn more about services available to TML Risk Pool Members?  Reach out to the Cyber Squad at cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guests Rebecca Pollack, Senior Cyber Claims Counsel, and Joe Hoosech, Principal of Digital Forensics and Incident Response, from Cowbell Cyber.  The discussion revolves around what happens during a cyber event and how the services provided by your cyber coverage can assist you in mitigation, response, and recovery.  

Want to learn more about services available to TML Risk Pool Members?  Reach out to the Cyber Squad at cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-18952463 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0500 2300 1 13 full false Ep. 12: Services Available to TML Risk Pool Members through Cowbell Resiliency Services Ep. 12: Services Available to TML Risk Pool Members through Cowbell Resiliency Services In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Matthieu Chan Tsin.  Matthieu is the Sr. VP and General Manager of Resiliency Services at Cowbell.  They discuss services available to TML Risk Pool Members through the Cyber Program provided by Cowbell.

You can contact Matthieu at crs@cowbellcyber.ai for more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Matthieu Chan Tsin.  Matthieu is the Sr. VP and General Manager of Resiliency Services at Cowbell.  They discuss services available to TML Risk Pool Members through the Cyber Program provided by Cowbell.

You can contact Matthieu at crs@cowbellcyber.ai for more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-18832068 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0500 1300 1 12 full false Ep. 11: Cyber Resources Available from UT-San Antonio CIAS, with Special Guest, Natalie Sjelin. Ep. 11: Cyber Resources Available from UT-San Antonio CIAS, with Special Guest, Natalie Sjelin. In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Natalie Sjelin, Director of the UTSA Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS). Natalie discusses CIAS’s mission to build cyber-resilient communities through training for technical and non-technical staff and introduces the Community Cybersecurity Clinic (C4). Through C4, vetted UTSA students—under professional supervision—provide no-cost services such as reputation and information-leakage searches, helping local governments and other organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture while also developing the next generation of cyber professionals.

You can contact Natalie at natalie.sjelin@utsa.edu. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Natalie Sjelin, Director of the UTSA Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS). Natalie discusses CIAS’s mission to build cyber-resilient communities through training for technical and non-technical staff and introduces the Community Cybersecurity Clinic (C4). Through C4, vetted UTSA students—under professional supervision—provide no-cost services such as reputation and information-leakage searches, helping local governments and other organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture while also developing the next generation of cyber professionals.

You can contact Natalie at natalie.sjelin@utsa.edu. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-18016105 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500 1061 full false Ep. 10: Cyber Resources Available From UT-Austin With Special Guest, Cam Beasley Ep. 10: Cyber Resources Available From UT-Austin With Special Guest, Cam Beasley In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Cam Beasley, CISO at UT-Austin. Cam shares insights on higher-ed cybersecurity and introduces two no-cost services available to TMLIRP members: Dorkbot, a tool that scans the dark web for exposed credentials, and application vulnerability scanning to help identify security weaknesses before attackers do. He also highlights the Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC), which provides around-the-clock, no-cost monitoring services to strengthen defenses for public-sector organizations. 

You can contact Cam and his team at rsoc@utexas.edu. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> In this episode of Building Cybersafe Communities, Ryan Burns and Mike Bell welcome special guest, Cam Beasley, CISO at UT-Austin. Cam shares insights on higher-ed cybersecurity and introduces two no-cost services available to TMLIRP members: Dorkbot, a tool that scans the dark web for exposed credentials, and application vulnerability scanning to help identify security weaknesses before attackers do. He also highlights the Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC), which provides around-the-clock, no-cost monitoring services to strengthen defenses for public-sector organizations. 

You can contact Cam and his team at rsoc@utexas.edu. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-17910922 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0500 1047 1 10 full false Ep. 9: Fire Drills for Cyber Disasters – Do You Pass the Test? Ep. 9: Fire Drills for Cyber Disasters – Do You Pass the Test? Planning to fail?  Probably not.  But failing to plan might be the same thing.  In this episode, the Cyber Squad talks about the importance of having a disaster recovery plan and practicing the plan using a tabletop exercise.  

Need help?  Here are some great resources:  https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/services/cisa-tabletop-exercise-packages, https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac/tabletop-exercises-ttx, https://dir.texas.gov/resource-library-item/dir-cirt-royal-tabletop-exercise

 

TML Risk Pool Members can email cybersquad@tmlirp.org or call 512-491-2300 to utilize the our free cyber-related services.

]]> Planning to fail?  Probably not.  But failing to plan might be the same thing.  In this episode, the Cyber Squad talks about the importance of having a disaster recovery plan and practicing the plan using a tabletop exercise.  

Need help?  Here are some great resources:  https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/services/cisa-tabletop-exercise-packages, https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac/tabletop-exercises-ttx, https://dir.texas.gov/resource-library-item/dir-cirt-royal-tabletop-exercise

 

TML Risk Pool Members can email cybersquad@tmlirp.org or call 512-491-2300 to utilize the our free cyber-related services.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16893685 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500 1052 full false Ep. 8: Five Questions Every City Leader Should Be Asking Their IT and Their Staff Ep. 8: Five Questions Every City Leader Should Be Asking Their IT and Their Staff In this episode, city and organizational leaders are guided through five essential questions to assess their cybersecurity and information security programs. These questions include:

  1. Do we maintain a comprehensive inventory?
  2. Are we implementing multi-factor authentication?
  3. Have we established an electronic funds transfer policy?
  4. Are our training efforts sufficient?
  5. Do we have a incident response plan in place?

By addressing these questions, leaders can initiate critical discussions to uncover potential gaps and vulnerabilities that, with strategic attention, can yield significant improvements. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> In this episode, city and organizational leaders are guided through five essential questions to assess their cybersecurity and information security programs. These questions include:

  1. Do we maintain a comprehensive inventory?
  2. Are we implementing multi-factor authentication?
  3. Have we established an electronic funds transfer policy?
  4. Are our training efforts sufficient?
  5. Do we have a incident response plan in place?

By addressing these questions, leaders can initiate critical discussions to uncover potential gaps and vulnerabilities that, with strategic attention, can yield significant improvements. For more information or to explore complimentary services available to Texas Municipal League Risk Pool Members, contact the Cyber Squad at 512-491-2300 or email cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16806367 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0500 1311 full false Ep. 7: Planning for the Unexpected Ep. 7: Planning for the Unexpected Is your world secure? Find out now by conducting a business impact analysis, business continuity plan, and incident response plan. You can also schedule an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today through your Risk Management Advisor, by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Is your world secure? Find out now by conducting a business impact analysis, business continuity plan, and incident response plan. You can also schedule an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today through your Risk Management Advisor, by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16410857 Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:00:00 -0600 1172 1 7 full false Ep. 6: Cyber Squad Services Ep. 6: Cyber Squad Services Cyber Squad Services: Hear about the no-cost services provided to TML Risk Pool Members by the Cyber Squad, as well as information on obtaining a .gov domain, and the recent TikTok ban. 

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org. 

Link to Cyber Squad services:  https://info.tmlirp.org/cyber-liability
Link to information on how to obtain a .gov domain: https://get.gov/
Link to Texas DIR information and policy on prohibited technologies:  https://dir.texas.gov/information-security/cybersecurity-incident-management-and-reporting

]]> Cyber Squad Services: Hear about the no-cost services provided to TML Risk Pool Members by the Cyber Squad, as well as information on obtaining a .gov domain, and the recent TikTok ban. 

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org. 

Link to Cyber Squad services:  https://info.tmlirp.org/cyber-liability
Link to information on how to obtain a .gov domain: https://get.gov/
Link to Texas DIR information and policy on prohibited technologies:  https://dir.texas.gov/information-security/cybersecurity-incident-management-and-reporting

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16209543 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0600 1474 1 6 full false Ep. 5: Why Proper Data Backups Matter Ep. 5: Why Proper Data Backups Matter Backing up your data is as easy as 1, 2, 3, right?  Or maybe 3-2-1.  Learn why data backups are critical to your ability to recover from a data disaster...either caused by a cyber event, a hardware failure, or a natural disaster.  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Backing up your data is as easy as 1, 2, 3, right?  Or maybe 3-2-1.  Learn why data backups are critical to your ability to recover from a data disaster...either caused by a cyber event, a hardware failure, or a natural disaster.  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16209375 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0600 1438 1 5 full false Ep. 4: Stay Safer with Multi-Factor Authentication! Ep. 4: Stay Safer with Multi-Factor Authentication! According to Microsoft, their research shows that multifactor authentication (MFA) can block over 99.2% of account compromise attacks, making it one of the most effective security measures available.  In this episode, the Cyber Squad talks about MFA and where your organization should consider implementing this feature.  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.


]]> According to Microsoft, their research shows that multifactor authentication (MFA) can block over 99.2% of account compromise attacks, making it one of the most effective security measures available.  In this episode, the Cyber Squad talks about MFA and where your organization should consider implementing this feature.  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.


]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16209176 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0600 1239 1 4 full false Ep. 3: Recognizing Phishing Attack Types Ep. 3: Recognizing Phishing Attack Types One of the most common ways that threat actors attack is through your inbox.  Do you have the tools to recognize a phishing email?  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> One of the most common ways that threat actors attack is through your inbox.  Do you have the tools to recognize a phishing email?  

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16208771 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0600 1545 1 3 full false Ep. 2: Reducing the Risk of a Ransomware Attack Ep. 2: Reducing the Risk of a Ransomware Attack How do we reduce the likelihood of our entity being the victim of a ransomware attack?  In this episode, the Cyber Squad will talk about ways to help protect your organization against these types of threats.

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

MS-ISAC: https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac

Texas ISAO: https://www.isao.org/group/texas-isao/

Texas DIR for reporting a Cybersecurity Incident: https://dir.texas.gov/information-security/cybersecurity-incident-management-and-reporting

]]> How do we reduce the likelihood of our entity being the victim of a ransomware attack?  In this episode, the Cyber Squad will talk about ways to help protect your organization against these types of threats.

TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by calling 512-491-2300, or by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.

MS-ISAC: https://www.cisecurity.org/ms-isac

Texas ISAO: https://www.isao.org/group/texas-isao/

Texas DIR for reporting a Cybersecurity Incident: https://dir.texas.gov/information-security/cybersecurity-incident-management-and-reporting

]]> Ryan Burns and Mike Bell Buzzsprout-16207560 Mon, 02 Dec 2024 10:00:00 -0600 1347 1 2 full false Ep. 1: The Current Cybersecurity Threat Landscape Ep. 1: The Current Cybersecurity Threat Landscape Hear about password complexity, current breach statistics, and much more. 

 
TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.  


"Have I been owned" website (note that the “P” isn’t a typo):  https://haveibeenpwned.com/

]]> Hear about password complexity, current breach statistics, and much more. 

 
TML Risk Pool Members, is your community secure?  Find out now by scheduling an on-site or virtual Cyber Squad visit today by emailing cybersquad@tmlirp.org.  


"Have I been owned" website (note that the “P” isn’t a typo):  https://haveibeenpwned.com/

]]> Ryan Buzzsprout-16184512 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0600 1034 1 1 full false