Ozarks Profile: John Horton

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Tell us about your company. |ret||ret||tab|

It was founded in 1996 as Technology Innovations and then merged with Layer3 Inc. to form Layer 3 Technology. We provide clients with networking solutions from the planning and purchasing through implementation and continuing with ongoing support and maintenance. We are an authorized reseller for Hewlitt-Packard, IBM, Cisco, 3Com and Dell equipment. Our goal is to provide clients a secure solution that meets their technology needs. We also offer services, such as technology planning, disaster recovery planning, and penetration testing. |ret||ret||tab|

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Specifically, what is your job? |ret||ret||tab|

I manage the design, implementation and support of network solutions for small to medium businesses. I stay abreast of all new technology coming out: what's cool, what's not; what provides the most bang for the buck; what are the latest hacking tricks being used, etc. I also perform vulnerability assessments and penetration testing for clients. |ret||ret||tab|

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Regarding technology and security, what would you say is the most common misperception that people have about protecting their data? |ret||ret||tab|

The most common (problem) is how dependent people have become on their computers and the need for a complete solution. Some feel that no one is interested in their information, especially since they are not storing customer credit card numbers or other highly confidential information, (so) they are safe from attempts to hack into their network. Really anyone is considered vulnerable. There are some businesses that feel they will not be affected by any virus, be it e-mail based or Web-based, so they don't worry about keeping their antivirus definitions current. This is a huge concern for their network safety and for those they do business with, especially by e-mail. Another is system backups: Most don't test to see if they are working until there is a disaster. |ret||ret||tab|

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How did you end up in this position? |ret||ret||tab|

I was working for a large, national, publicly traded software company designing network solutions for many of their clients. In this role, I worked with the client's local computer firms to ensure the optimal solution was purchased and implemented. As I continued to work with businesses throughout the United States, I realized there is a constant need for high-quality consulting firms. |ret||ret||tab|

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Tell us about your family and your spare-time interests. |ret||ret||tab|

I have been married for eight years to Jeannie. We have two great kids, Zoie, 6, and Adam, 3. Jeannie is also a talented computer technology professional and works with me at Layer 3 Technology. She is a terrific support, both personally and professionally. Although we are in the same field, we both have different styles and problem-solving techniques that complement each other. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf, Kansas City Chiefs football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. I also do a lot of work for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch and I'm on the board of Leadership Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

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