IT Support Specialist II Nick Klapp is one of four dedicated 1-911 "operators" GUC employees call for tech support. Along with his colleagues who work at the IT Help Desk, Nick does just about anything and everything when it comes to technology. "We configure PCs and Macs, Apple TVs, iPads, iPhones, telephones, and peripherals, like monitors and printers throughout all of GUC's facilities," he said. "Software installation, customization, and troubleshooting are a big part of our everyday routine."

One of Nick and the IT Department's most important missions though is security. "The biggest thing here is making sure our networks are protected," he said. "Our Help Desk team works closely with the infrastructure group on this mission. In addition to maintaining Citrix Receiver and VPN environments for remote access to GUC resources by GUC consultants and staff, I specialize in virus, malware, and spyware removal due to my continued exposure to new threats through businesses and individuals I work with outside of GUC."

The biggest concern is the threat of hackers. To protect GUC's sensitive data networks, Nick and the Help Desk team make sure anti-virus programs are up-to-date and that necessary software updates and patches are installed.

One thing all of us can do to keep our information at work and at home safe is creating strong passwords. Since creating a strong password isn't always easy, Nick offered these valuable tips.

If you've got a password you like to use, take one letter and make it uppercase and if there's a letter like an E, turn that into a 3. Mixing up your password with other variables is easy and effective. "The more in depth it is, the more secure it is, and the more secure our network is," Nick said.

Originally from Hyde County, he graduated from ECU with a B.S. in Management Information Systems and has been servicing computers for 20 years, four of which were spent operating a computer business in Washington, NC.

When Nick is not protecting GUC in cyberspace, he and his wife of 13 years, Nikki, enjoy being able to travel. "My wife and I love to travel and take a few trips each year," he said. "We just got back from Vegas. We went to New Orleans last year, and we're headed to Nags Head soon for a family vacation."

But something most dear to Nick and his wife's family is raising money for the Marion Shepard Cancer Center in Washington. Nick's mother-in-law passed away from cancer in 2010, and to honor her, Nick and Nikki, along with members of the Belhaven community, have a huge breakfast and 5K event that support the Marion Shepard Cancer Foundation. Darleen's Flamingo 5K, held in Smithton, is an annual event. Over the last six years, it has raised over $85,000. This year's event will be held Saturday, October 15th."I also built and donated the website for the center in 2009 in honor of my aunt Lucy," said Nick. "She was blessed by the many friends she made there while being treated for cancer."

On most weekends though, Nick, his wife, and her family can be found in Belhaven, grilling out and playing cornhole or going for a boat ride along the Pungo River. This year, Nick is adding more ECU football games to his calendar. He and his neighbors bought season tickets, and he's looking forward to all the fun that will bring.