Early Entrepreneurial Drive Sparks Lasting Passion
Jacob Blacksten’s entrepreneurial journey began in the most unexpected of places—a rural livestock auction in lower Delaware. As a teenager, he helped his great-grandmother and aunt run a modest food booth. When they retired, Blacksten saw potential in the venture. With a college education on the horizon and limited funds, he seized the opportunity to transform the booth into a more viable business of Cybersecurity Beacon. Over the next two years, he streamlined operations, revamped the menu, and cultivated a loyal customer base.
His efforts paid off when he invested in a custom-built food trailer, officially launching Satisfried Concessions. The business not only supported him financially through college but also planted the seed for a future fueled by innovation and service. “Seeing it grow from a modest weekly stand into a proper food-truck-style operation was incredibly fulfilling,” Blacksten said. “It helped pay my way through college, too.”
This early success revealed his natural talent for blending business insight with problem-solving—skills that would later define his impact on the cybersecurity world.
Bridging Cybersecurity Beacon with Business Practicality
Armed with five degrees from the University of Delaware, including an MBA and two master’s degrees in cybersecurity, Blacksten channeled his passion into a new mission: protecting small businesses from cyber threats. He recognized a gap—many entrepreneurs lacked the technical know-how or resources to implement robust Cybersecurity Beacon practices.
“Understanding business fundamentals allows me to translate Cybersecurity Beacon measures into tangible benefits for nontechnical stakeholders,” he explained. “It helps me focus on what matters most to my audience: the bottom line and long-term sustainability.”
To fill that gap, Blacksten developed two flagship programs: Data Assured and North Star. Data Assured, originally launched by Daniel Elliott in 2016, guides small businesses in crafting clear security policies and developing Written Information Security Programs (WISPs). It demystifies Cybersecurity Beacon through hands-on guidance, helping entrepreneurs understand their systems and improve them.
Blacksten later co-founded North Star with Earl Gregorich to scale this support nationwide. While Data Assured targets individual businesses, North Star focuses on training the consultants who support them. It equips Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) across the U.S. with the tools and knowledge to offer trusted Cybersecurity Beacon guidance in their communities.
National Recognition and a Mission with Impact
Through these programs, Blacksten has helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the country safeguard their operations against rising cyber threats. His work earned him national recognition, including being named a “Visionary Leader in Security Awareness” at the 2024 Cyber Security Summit.
Reflecting on his journey, Blacksten credits much of his success to the education and mentorship he received at UD. He recalls a pivotal moment early in his career when his hiring manager chose him over more technically credentialed candidates—not for his coding skills, but for his problem-solving mindset and resourcefulness. “Those qualities,” Blacksten said, “came directly from my education at UD.”
Today, Blacksten continues to advocate for accessible Cybersecurity education, proving that with the right tools and vision, small businesses can thrive securely—even in the face of digital threats.
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