I'M MIKE SEMEL, COMPLIANCEOLOGIST.

I'M DIFFERENT FROM THE REST

With over four decades in IT, cybersecurity, and compliance, I understand the challenges faced by heavily regulated industries. My extensive credentials, including Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA) and Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), are more than just titles; they're a testament to my commitment to creating secure and compliant environments that stand up to the toughest audits and regulations.

My journey in the IT world began back in 1980 when I founded Chemung Computer. Since then, I've held pivotal roles that have shaped my expertise and approach to compliance. As the Chief Information Officer for institutions like Schuyler Hospital and White Pine County School District, and later as a leader in several prominent IT and MSP firms, I've always prioritized one thing—making sure businesses are safeguarded against ever-evolving threats and compliance pitfalls.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

At Semel Consulting (2012 – Present) as President and Chief Compliance Officer, I steer businesses through the maze of compliance regulations, from HIPAA and CMMC to PCI DSS and GLBA. My day-to-day involves everything from strategizing on compliance to creating and delivering training that makes complex regulations understandable and actionable. I also share my insights at national conferences and contribute to industry-leading publications, ensuring that compliance best practices reach a broad audience.

In my time with Business Continuity Technologies (2010 – 2012) as Vice President and Owner**, I honed my skills in managing technical and consulting services, always with an eye on developing robust business and cybersecurity strategies that align with compliance demands.

As the outsourced Chief Information Officer for White Pine County School District (2007 – 2012), I managed everything from cybersecurity policy development to compliance with state and federal education laws. This role reinforced the importance of clear communication and detailed compliance frameworks in educational settings.

While serving as Chief Operating Officer at XiloCore (2010), I led technical teams and managed compliance for critical data protection laws like HIPAA and FERPA, ensuring that our data restoration practices were not only effective but fully compliant.

As Vice President and Owner of Connecting Point of Las Vegas (2006 – 2010), I drove business growth through strategic planning and by ensuring our technical services always met the stringent requirements of various compliance frameworks.

CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS

Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA)
Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP)
Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) – Disaster Recovery Institute
2011 Channelnomics Influencer Award Winner

Compliance isn’t just about understanding the law; it’s about understanding how to integrate compliance into your business strategy effectively and efficiently. It's about ensuring you're not just compliant, but that you're set up to thrive in an environment that sees non-compliance as a risk too great to bear. Whether it’s guiding an MSP on how to navigate CMMC or consulting on HIPAA best practices, my role is to demystify compliance and make it a cornerstone of your operational success.