"Welcome to the Zero Epoch™, where we must rethink Cybersecurity strategies in the wake of quantum computing disruption."
- Dr. James Howell, author of The Art of (Cyber) War: Leading Through the Zero Epoch
New Book Release
The Art of (Cyber) War: Leading Through the Zero Epoch
Dr. James Howell, founder of SmartCIO LLC, has released his latest book: The Art of (Cyber) War: Leading Through the Zero Epoch. This work explores how the rise of quantum computing, advanced threats, and the collapse of traditional defenses are reshaping cybersecurity. Drawing on decades of leadership in military and federal service, Dr. Howell provides practical strategies for navigating the most critical turning point in cyber history, the Zero Epoch.
Available now on Amazon: Order The Art of (Cyber) War: Leading Through the Zero Epoch
Our Origin & Evolution
In 2003, SmartCIO emerged with a clear mission: to empower small businesses and non-profit organizations by helping them establish a meaningful and competitive digital presence. At a time when E-commerce was still an emerging frontier, SmartCIO provided tailored web development solutions, domain acquisition services, and strategic digital consulting to help underserved clients thrive in an increasingly connected world. Our client base spanned from grassroots community organizations to boutique international retailers, each benefiting from our commitment to quality, accessibility, and the human touch.
For over a decade, SmartCIO® cultivated a reputation for technical excellence, customer-focused innovation, and a deep understanding of the evolving digital landscape.
As cybersecurity threats escalated and digital infrastructures became more complex, the need for proactive, human-centered, and future-ready cyber solutions became undeniable. SmartCIO responded to that call by strategically pivoting into Cybersecurity Research and Development, bringing the same values of integrity, adaptability, and client empathy to a new and critical frontier.
Our mission is catalyzed by the advent of the Zero Epoch, a trademarked concept that encapsulates the seismic shift in cybersecurity caused by the quantum computing revolution. As we enter an era where yesterday’s encryption becomes tomorrow’s vulnerability, SmartCIO stands at the forefront, developing tools, frameworks, and strategies designed for resilience and anticipatory dominance.
We haven’t abandoned our roots; we’ve grown from them. Our evolution is not a departure, but a transformation fueled by our mission to innovate and empower those who build the digital world.
Our Flagship Platform:
Computer Network Technology User Risk Assessment (CNTURA™)
CNTURA® is SmartCIO®’s breakthrough cybersecurity risk assessment tool designed to evaluate human behavior, knowledge, and activity across your network. Like a credit score for cybersecurity, CNTURA assigns each user a personalized risk score based on adaptive assessments mapped to NIST’s Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Built for DoD agencies, military commands, state governments, and major corporations, CNTURA empowers leaders to identify high-risk users, guide remediation, and proactively reduce cyber exposure. In today’s threat landscape, CNTURA equips cyber leaders to predict, prioritize, and preempt risk before breaches occur.
- Annual adaptive assessments that grow smarter over time
- User-level risk dashboards with actionable insights
- RMF-aligned scoring that supports compliance and accreditation
- Scalable deployment with individual and enterprise pricing
Welcome to the Zero Epoch™
Rewriting Cyber Strategy for a Quantum World.
The Zero Epoch marks the dawn of a radical new era in cybersecurity. At SmartCIO, we coined the term to represent a turning point in cybersecurity's existing timeline, where quantum computing makes encryption obsolete and the future must be rebuilt on quantum-resilient foundations.
Quantum-driven disruption isn’t theoretical; it’s imminent. Algorithms like Shor’s Algorithm can break RSA encryption in minutes using quantum machines, putting decades of sensitive communications, transactions, and identities at risk. Even now, adversaries may be “storing now to decrypt later,” harvesting encrypted traffic with the intent to crack it the moment quantum capability is reached.
Zero Epoch is a call to action for cyber leaders:
- Prepare for post-quantum cryptography
- Adopt Zero Trust architecture by default
- Enable crypto-agility across systems
- Rethink risk — not reactively, but proactive
This is not just a technological shift - it’s a strategic reorientation. In the Zero Epoch, trust must be earned, verified, and constantly reevaluated. Networks must be resilient by design. And leadership must anticipate disruption, not merely survive it. At SmartCIO, we’re leading the charge into the Zero Epoch by building tools like CNTURA to help organizations adapt, assess, and evolve. Because in a quantum world, resilience is the new perimeter, and strategy must be quantum-aware.
Beyond Checklists: Hearing the Music
In music, simply reading notes does not guarantee a beautiful performance. Similarly, in cybersecurity, adhering to a checklist does not ensure a robust defense. Just as a musician must feel the rhythm and anticipate the flow of the music, a cybersecurity professional must understand the subtleties and nuances of the digital landscape. This requires a deep comprehension of both the technical aspects and the behavioral patterns of potential threats.
Cyber threats are dynamic. They evolve rapidly, and new vulnerabilities emerge as technology advances. A checklist might cover known vulnerabilities, but it cannot predict novel attacks. Here lies the importance of "hearing the music." Cybersecurity experts need to develop an instinct for identifying unusual patterns and potential threats that aren't yet documented.
Holistic Risk Management
Holistic risk management in cybersecurity involves looking at the bigger picture. It’s not just about the individual pieces of technology but how they interact and the broader context in which they operate. This includes understanding the motivations of potential attackers, the specific vulnerabilities of your system, and the implications of a potential breach. For example, a healthcare provider must consider the sensitivity of patient data, the interconnectedness of medical devices, and the regulatory environment. This comprehensive view helps in creating a security strategy that addresses all potential risks, not just the obvious ones.
Developing Intuition: Training Cyber Warriors
Training the next generation of cyber warriors to "hear the music" involves cultivating intuition and insight. Traditional education focuses on technical skills and theoretical knowledge. However, to truly excel in cybersecurity, professionals must also develop critical thinking, situational awareness, and an ability to anticipate and adapt to evolving threats.
Mentorship and hands-on experience are crucial. Just as musicians hone their skills through practice and guidance from experienced players, cybersecurity experts benefit from real-world exposure and insights from seasoned professionals. Simulated attack scenarios, participation in security conferences, and collaborative problem-solving can foster this deeper understanding.
Seeing the Vulnerabilities
"Can you see the vulnerabilities?" This question from Dr. Howell highlights the need for a proactive approach. Seeing vulnerabilities isn't just about identifying known weaknesses; it’s about anticipating where new ones might arise. This involves a thorough understanding of the entire ecosystem, from hardware and software to human behavior and organizational processes.
Advanced tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence can aid in detecting patterns and predicting potential threats, but the human element remains indispensable. A cybersecurity professional’s ability to interpret data, understand context, and apply intuition is irreplaceable.
The Path Forward
As we move forward, embracing Dr. Howell’s perspective can transform cybersecurity from a reactive to a proactive field. By fostering a holistic understanding and intuitive approach, we can better anticipate and mitigate threats. The question for cyber warriors remains: "Can you hear the music?" It's not about the notes on the page but about creating a harmonious defense that adapts and evolves with the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats.
In a world where digital security is paramount, those who can hear the music and see the vulnerabilities will be the true guardians of our digital future.