Author: David McFarlene

David McFarlene is the founder and driving force behind CNiC Solutions, bringing more than two decades of hands-on experience in IT support, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure. Known for his calm, solutions-first approach, David built CNiC Solutions to give Houston organizations a dependable technology partner that delivers real results—not excuses. His background spans both enterprise-level systems and small business environments, allowing him to design practical, scalable solutions for any setting. David leads with integrity, deep technical expertise, and a passion for making technology simple, secure, and reliable for every client.

What Is a Firmware Update and Why It Matters for Security

What is a firmware update? A plain-English guide to how they work, why they are critical security patches, and how to manage them across your business.

What Is a Human Firewall? Turning Employees Into Your Best Defense

A human firewall is your employees trained to spot and stop cyberattacks. Learn what it means, why most breaches are human, and how to build one.

What Is a Firewall? How It Protects Your Business Network

What is a firewall? A plain-English guide to how firewalls work, the main types (packet, stateful, proxy, NGFW), and what your business network needs.

What Is a Distributed System? How It Works and Why It Matters

A distributed system is a network of independent computers that work as one. Learn how distributed systems work, their types, benefits, and why they matter.

What Is a Data Center? Types, Components, and How They Work

A data center is where a business’s servers, storage, and networking live. Learn how data centers work, their core components, and the main types.

What Is a DDoS Attack? How DDoS Attacks Work and How to Stop Them

A DDoS attack floods your site or network with traffic until it goes offline. Learn how DDoS attacks work, the main types, and how to stop them.

What Is a Brute Force Attack? How It Works and How to Stop It

A brute force attack guesses passwords by trial and error until one works. Learn how brute force attacks work, the main types, and how to stop them.

What Is a Checksum? How It Verifies Data Integrity

A checksum is a small value that verifies data integrity. Learn how checksums work, CRC vs MD5 vs SHA-256, and how to verify a file, in plain English.

What Does Cyber Insurance Cover? A Guide for Small Businesses

Cyber insurance covers breach response, ransomware, data recovery, and liability. See exactly what a small-business policy pays for, and what it excludes.

What Are TTPs in Cybersecurity? Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures Explained

What are TTPs in cybersecurity? A plain-English guide to tactics, techniques, and procedures, how they differ from IOCs, and why they matter for threat detection.