When Curtis O’Neal launched his MSP and consulting firm, his goal was to leverage his experience and zeal for attacking complicated issues to drive innovation for his customers. Four years later, the CEO of Columbus, GA-based Cybernetics Global (CBG) is doing just that while delivering cybersecurity, cloud services, and IT management.
“I had been in the IT field for a while and recognized a gap in the market for robust, scalable IT solutions tailored to small and midsized businesses as well as government organizations,” O’Neal explained. “The increasing threat of cyberattacks combined with the need for digital transformation made me realize that businesses needed more than just reactive IT support. They needed strategic partners who could help them grow securely.”
Experience Is Everything
O’Neal’s vision was influenced by his experiences working as director of network and satellite operations in the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command unit, as well as at Palo Alto Networks and AT&T.
The U.S. Army exposed him to several types of networks, DevOps, and R&D, he said. “It was instrumental in how I view product lines, product market fit, and how we get things into people’s hands.”
At Palo Alto Networks, O’Neal learned about business and service delivery. That experience helped him understand people’s needs, he explained. “When you’re in a market where you have heavy competitors, what are the differentiators when it comes down to customer relations [and] how they actually deliver professional services?”
Meanwhile, he described his time at AT&T as a humbling experience. “It was like, ‘Oh, this is the real internet.’ We’re connecting things from seaboard to seaboard — everything we do affects millions of enterprises out there in the world.”
Curtis O’Neal
Cybernetics Global Tackles Talent Needs
In launching CBG, O’Neal leaned on his existing professional network. He also sought to develop partnerships with top vendors such as AWS, Cisco, and Microsoft.
Along with that, CBG partnered with Georgia’s Columbus State University, which helped it proactively address the recruiting issues that many organizations face, especially in cybersecurity. This helps the MSP to develop pools of skilled talent that they may then choose to tap into. “It’s a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to shape the next generation of tech professionals,” he shared.
Currently, CBG employs a workforce of nearly 10, which can rise to 20-plus when including independent contractors and interns and depending on the company’s workload. Scaling is a significant challenge, O’Neal noted, because he doesn’t want to compromise the personal attention his organization gives to its customers.
“As we grow — especially in sectors like healthcare and government — the complexity of our clients’ needs increases,” he said. This has led to considerable investment in staff training on compliance, emerging technologies — namely, AI and machine learning — and new regulations.
Agility Is the Key to Success
Another major lesson O’Neal has learned: It is important to be flexible. As the technology market evolves, the ability to adapt is vital for survival, he observed.
And, as every cybersecurity professional knows, new threats appear daily, mandating the need for continuous learning. “Staying agile while keeping a strong focus on your core mission is the key to long-term success,” he revealed.
While it’s tempting to strive to be all things to all people, O’Neal argues that specializing reaps the best results for everyone. “I’ve found that it’s better to become an expert in a few areas, like cybersecurity or cloud migration,” he said. When MSPs adopt this model, it allows them to differentiate themselves from the competition and deliver more value to their customers, he added.
Additionally, CBG’s own success is related to its focus on earning trust and building solid relationships with employees, partners, vendors, and its client base, O’Neal said.
“We don’t just offer solutions; we offer peace of mind,” he emphasized. “Clients aren’t just looking for technical solutions; they want a partner who understands their business and is invested in their long-term success.”
As for advice he would offer MSPs, he said investing in employees is crucial to advancement. “Talent is your greatest asset, and continuous learning is essential in this field. Don’t just hire for the skills you need today. Hire for where your company is going tomorrow.”
CURTIS O’NEAL
Founder and CEO
- Founded: 2020
- Headquarters: Columbus, GA
- No. of employees: Nine
- Website: cyberneticglobal.com
- Company focus: Application development, consulting, cybersecurity, multicloud architecture, network services
- Professional memberships: Co-chair for CompTIA Blockchain & Web3 Advisory Council, NSBA Leadership Council
- Recommended book: “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins
- Favorite part of my job: Customer delivery
- Least favorite part: Sales
Images: Curtis O’Neal
