--- title: MainSpring Blog | Ray Steen description: Ray Steen is Co-Owner & CEO for MainSpring and has been with the firm since 2014. With over 25 years of experience in strategy, consulting and communications, his expertise arms clients with the strategies, tools and resources to meet their mission. Ray is a proud dad and coach of 5 kids, a fantasy sports nut and bleeds for the Chicago Bears and Boston Celtics. --- [![Mainspring, Inc.](https://blog.gomainspring.com/hubfs/MainSpring_June2024/Images/mainspring-logo-cybersecurity-it-services-automation-qjudg0lgsu8o3zserelwpic5pgl0i7mbxusowrykj8.png)](https://gomainspring.com/) [mailto:hello@gomainspring.com](mailto:hello@gomainspring.com) - [About](https://gomainspring.com/about/) - [Our Team](https://gomainspring.com/our-team/) - [Industries](https://gomainspring.com/industries/) - [Partners & Certifications](https://gomainspring.com/partners-certifications/) - [Careers](https://gomainspring.com/careers/) - [Solutions](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/) - [Cybersecurity](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/cybersecurity/) - [ProSuite™](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/prosuite/) - [Automation](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/automation/) - [FileMaker Development](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/filemaker/) - [Apple Device Lifecycle Services](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/apple-services/) - [vCIO](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/vcio/) - [Cost Management](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/cost-management/) - [Support & Help Desk](https://gomainspring.com/solutions/support-help-desk/) - [Case Studies](https://gomainspring.com/case-studies/) - Pricing - [ProSuite™](https://gomainspring.com/pricing/) - [Evolve™](https://gomainspring.com/pricing-evolve/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.gomainspring.com/) - [Media Resources](https://gomainspring.com/media-resources/) - [Downloads](https://info.gomainspring.com/resources) - [News & Events](https://blog.gomainspring.com/news) - [Contact Us](https://gomainspring.com/contact-us/) # Blog ### Subscribe to Our Blog ![Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/hubfs/Ray-Steen-R6DG9067-1-250x250-1.png "Ray Steen") ### About Ray Steen Ray Steen is Co-Owner & CEO for MainSpring and has been with the firm since 2014. With over 25 years of experience in strategy, consulting and communications, his expertise arms clients with the strategies, tools and resources to meet their mission. Ray is a proud dad and coach of 5 kids, a fantasy sports nut and bleeds for the Chicago Bears and Boston Celtics. --- #### Articles by Ray Steen 2 Minute Read #### [MainSpring Is A Champion For Cybersecurity Awareness Month To Reduce Cyber Risk](https://blog.gomainspring.com/2024-cybersecurity-awareness-month) MainSpring today announced its commitment to cybersecurity education by participating in the 21st Annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Founded in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/2024-cybersecurity-awareness-month) 6 Minute Read #### [The Evolution of IT: Leveraging Automation for Continuous Improvement](https://blog.gomainspring.com/the-evolution-of-it-leveraging-automation) In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of IT is more critical than ever. That’s why 66 percent of companies were willing to increase their IT budget in 2024, while only 4 percent... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/the-evolution-of-it-leveraging-automation) 6 Minute Read #### [AI Automation is Coming to Your Organization - But What Does That Mean?](https://blog.gomainspring.com/automation/ai-automation-is-coming-to-your-organization-but-what-does-that-mean) ChatGPT, Copilot and other AI automation tools are rapidly arriving – but how can your business leverage them effectively? Read on for guidance. It's been less than a year since OpenAI launched... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/automation/ai-automation-is-coming-to-your-organization-but-what-does-that-mean) 3 Minute Read #### [Reduce Shadow IT, Take Control of Your SaaS Apps](https://blog.gomainspring.com/cybersecurity-awareness/reduce-shadow-it-take-control-of-your-saas-apps) IT’s reputation as “the department of no” is a tongue-in-cheek recognition of IT workers’ status as the gatekeepers of workplace technology, and their tendency to keep that gate sealed shut. But that... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/cybersecurity-awareness/reduce-shadow-it-take-control-of-your-saas-apps) 6 Minute Read #### [5 Reasons You Should Outsource Your IT Strategy in 2023](https://blog.gomainspring.com/it-managed-services/5-reasons-you-should-outsource-your-it-strategy-in-2023) With 2022 behind us, we at MainSpring look back on a year full of challenges and successes. In the midst of an IT landscape filled with complexity and risk, we are proud of the difference we have... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/it-managed-services/5-reasons-you-should-outsource-your-it-strategy-in-2023) 2 Minute Read #### [The Most Common Ways Small Businesses Waste Money on IT Security](https://blog.gomainspring.com/business-strategy/the-most-common-ways-small-businesses-waste-money-on-it-security) This article was originally published by Brilliance Security Magazine, view here. By Ray Steen, CSO at MainSpring Small businesses spend a lot of money upkeeping legacy IT architecture because... Posted by [Ray Steen](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen) [Read More](https://blog.gomainspring.com/business-strategy/the-most-common-ways-small-businesses-waste-money-on-it-security) - [1](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen/page/1) - [2](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen/page/2) - [3](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen/page/3) - [4](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen/page/4) - [5](https://blog.gomainspring.com/author/rsteen/page/5) - ## Getting Started We’ll discuss your business, needs, and expectations to get you on a path to better IT. [Contact Us](https://gomainspring.com/contact-us/) [![Mainspring, Inc.](https://blog.gomainspring.com/hubfs/MainSpring_June2024/Images/mainspring-logo-cybersecurity-it-services-automation.png)](https://gomainspring.com/) [MainSpring, Inc.](https://gomainspring.com/) 8 E. 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