Interview conducted by: Grace Hilliard

A Sit-Down with Mr. Climb 

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we summoned a very special guest from the shadows of Climb Channel Solutions—Mr. Climb, the mysterious alter ego of Sales Engineer Jake Eskanos. Known for his edgy insights and ghostly good vendor picks, Mr. Climb joins us for a frightfully fun interview on AI, security strategy, and the scariest threats lurking in the IT night. 

Mr. Climb is no ordinary Climb employee. He’s a spectral force of channel wisdom—haunting trade shows, spotlighting vendors, and helping partners uncover the hidden dangers lurking in their stacks. A character born from curiosity and crafted to inspire, Mr. Climb was designed to intrigue readers and spark imagination. With every eerie insight and mysterious appearance, he leaves technology enthusiasts wanting more… and wondering where he’ll show up next.

AI: The Word of the Year 

According to Mr. Climb, 2025 has been all about AI—but not all AI is created equal. “Anyone can slap a general learning model into their platform,” he warns, “but that doesn’t mean it’s useful.” The real magic lies in how vendors tailor AI to solve real problems, not just add buzzwords. Mr. Climb’s mission? Help partners cut through the fog and find the tech that truly protects. 

The Real Security Challenge 

Organizations often think they know what they need—but Mr. Climb sees through the illusion. “They’re solving for the wrong problem,” he says. “You might want to enhance credentialing, but still have blind spots at your endpoints.” His advice? Take a holistic view, find quick wins, and build from there. Crawl, walk, run—before something goes bump in the network. 

Vendor Spotlights 

Mr. Climb’s video series has already featured Darktrace, with Garland creeping into the spotlight this month. Coming soon: Delinea, plus a few surprise guests from Climb’s carefully curated line card. “We only work with vendors we trust,” he says. “So if they show up in a Mr. Climb video, you know they’re worth watching.” 

Where to Find Mr. Climb 

He’s everywhere—and nowhere. Mr. Climb has haunted Black Hat, popped up at local events in Colorado, and will be appearing at upcoming Darktrace engagements. “Just throw the Climb logo into the sky,” he jokes, “and I’ll be there.” Keep your eyes peeled… he might be lurking behind the next booth. 

The Scariest Threat of All 

Forget ransomware—Mr. Climb says the real terror is technical debt. “Over-permissioned credentials, outdated admin access, no audit trails… it’s a graveyard of oversight,” he warns. Organizations must shift from reactive to proactive security, and AI is helping light the way. “We’re seeing real progress,” he says, “but the human factor is still the biggest vulnerability.” 

The Final Word 

“Hacking is easy. Security is hard,” says Mr. Climb. “Just because you’ve locked one door doesn’t mean the windows aren’t wide open.” His advice? Stay vigilant, stay curious, and don’t wait for the monsters to come knocking. 

Stay Tuned… 

As the fog lifts and the cobwebs clear, Mr. Climb may return with a softer side for the holiday season. Rumor has it, his heart grows three sizes when peppermint lattes hit the breakroom. Keep your eyes peeled—he might just trade his cape for a cozy sweater and bring some festive cheer to your inbox. 

To Learn More about Mr. Climb reach out to Jake Eskanos!