From small startups to multinational corporations, Lazarus Alliance CEO Michael Peters has worked with a number of businesses to protect them from global cybercrime. Peters has used his years of expert IT knowledge to develop cyber security systems that protect companies the worldover. With an Executive Juris Doctorate in Cyberspace Law and an MBA in IT Management, Peters has spent years perfecting the art of security.
As CEO of Lazarus Alliance, Peters and his team practice proactive security, and stay on the cutting-edge. It has allowed Lazarus Alliance to be an industry leader in cyber security.
Along with running his own company, Peters has written three books and has authored thousands of blogs on the topics of internet safety. As the “go to guy” protecting one’s company, Peters’ reputation is well earned.
When he isn’t staying on the cutting-edge of cyberspace crime and security, Peters can be found enjoying life around his Scottsdale, Arizona home. Totalprestige Magazine recently sat down with Peters, and found out about Lazarus Alliance and more.
Michael, can you please tell us about Lazarus Alliance and services you provide?
Lazarus Alliance is focused exclusively on proactive cyber security services which include audit and compliance, risk assessment and management, governance and policies, and professional Cybervisor or services to the global business community. There are very few service organizations in the world with our level of accreditation and authorizations. There are no other service organizations in the world who created a number one ranked governance, risk and compliance software platform.
You specialize in cyber security, can you tell us how your company can benefit organizations and businesses?
Cyber security expertise is a niche among technologists. Finding the right resource to support your cyber security, governance, risk and compliance requirements is extremely difficult, let alone hiring full-time resources who are respectably up to the task. Lazarus Alliance created the Cybervisor service to bring world-class cyber security expertise to organizations of all sizes around the world. Our clientele ranges from startups to multinational corporations, and they all enjoy the same level of professional expertise. The small to medium size business sector is particularly vulnerable and traditionally underrepresented by security service firms. We eliminated that barrier to the application of our technology, methodology and expertise.
Michael, what makes Lazarus Alliance stand out from competitors?
Our focus has always been to bring proactive cyber security to the global business community through the expert application of audit and compliance, risk assessment and management, governance and policies, and professional Cybervisor services to our clients. Additionally, we created the number one assessment platform making us efficient and cost-effective. Working with our clients and leveraging our technology and methodology we proactively prevent and eliminate risks threatening our client’s businesses all the while creating great relationships.
Can you tell us how Lazarus Alliance began and what some of the highlights have been?
Lazarus Alliance began under a very simple premise that cyber security would be important in the future and that my expertise within that realm would be valuable, affording me the ability to create my own company. Over the last 17 years, we have grown significantly, created the methodology utilized by most organizations, invented the number one governance, risk and compliance application and became one of the few providers in the industry with the level of accreditation and authorizations we have anywhere.
What has been your most rewarding professional experience?
The most rewarding professional experience is certainly escaping the corporate environment someone else created and standing on my own two feet within the one I created.
How do you find inspiration?
Inspiration strikes when I immerse myself in the creative mental process. Concentrating on a given challenge inevitably leads to solutions.
What is the most challenging part of your work?
Remaining at the front of the threatscape facing our clientele versus falling behind and becoming reactionary. Cyber criminals continue to innovate and our mission is to do the same proactively protecting our clientele.
What do you have your sights set on next?
I am intent on disrupting the whole governance, risk and compliance industry by effectively eliminating the need for auditors. I built a career and a business around cyber security assessments and my current mission is to leverage the technology I have created to support the business to help organizations of all sizes eliminate business threats, all the while protecting business value, consumers and shareholders alike.
Were you ever influenced by other entrepreneurs?
Everyone needs a good mentor throughout their life’s journey. I have had the pleasure of meeting several along the way who have provided me with advice and inspiration that has shaped my own entrepreneurial adventure.
What is a day in your life like?
I’m generally up and ready to go by 4:30 AM each day including weekends. I’ll work about two hours and then break for an hour-long bike ride through the mountainous scenic countryside of Scottsdale, Arizona. The work day typically winds down after 4 PM when I’ll enjoy time with my spouse over a cocktail and the evening dinner. You probably will not find me awake after 9:00 PM!
What makes you smile?
When my competitors asked us if they can white label our governance, risk and compliance assessment technology.
What scares you?
Nothing that involves business scares me. Only the possibility of bad things happening to my loved ones rises to that level.
What have you learned about yourself while running your business?
I have certainly learned that I have limitations. Identifying those limitations and then proactively mitigating them is a new mission.
What is your secret talent?
I don’t know that I have a secret talent. I have a plethora of talents that I openly enjoy such as playing musical instruments or singing, painting or woodworking, cooking, or doing just about anything that requires creative thinking.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Not one single person comes to mind, however, a few creative souls I find interesting such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and Einstein come to mind, first.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy serious cooking, musical performance, woodworking, painting, hiking, kayaking and so many other things. Life’s too short in the world is too interesting for idle time.
What are you never without?
My wits! While technology comes in at a close second perhaps, it is not a requirement for inspiration, creativity or initiative.
Can you tell us some of your favorite quotes?
“I will bludgeon my way to victory.” Michael Peters
“There is opportunity in anarchy.” Michael Peters
“Work smarter not harder.” Allan Mogensen
“The future masters of technology will have to be light-hearted and intelligent. The machine easily masters the grim and the dumb.” Marshall McLuhan
How do you define success?
Accomplishing pre-defined goals is certainly an easier measure of success. My entire career has been reduced to a flowchart that I used to accomplish goals and find success to accomplishments along the way. I can’t imagine ever getting to the finish line.
What IT security advice would you give to our readers?
If you value your business and it depends on technology you must be concerned about cyber security. Most businesses are under attack right now and unfortunately 60% will be out of business within six months following a breach. Being proactive is the only way to eliminate risks to your business. Lazarus Alliance is proactive cyber security.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Continuum GRC, Inc. is the software side of my business. Inspired by the real-world experiences collected by years of professional service work within the global business community addressing cyber security, governance, risk and compliance requirements. Taking what we learned and recognizing the overwhelming need we created what is now the number one ranked governance, risk and compliance (GRC) assessment platform.
For more information on Michael Peters, Lazarus Alliance or Continuum GRC, please visit the following websites: www.LazarusAlliance.com and www.ContinuumGRC.com.
