How a Family Office Transformed Cybersecurity, Operational Efficiency, and Client Confidence with Alles Technology

When Essex Ridge Capital was founded in 2014, the firm began as an alternatives-focused investment platform. As client needs evolved, the firm transitioned into a full-service multi-family office, requiring institutional-grade infrastructure, sophisticated cybersecurity, and a professionalized operational model. Managing Partner John Goltermann soon recognized that the firm’s existing systems were not equipped to support that next phase of growth.

“We didn’t realize the extent of our vulnerability,” said Goltermann. “When our consultant told us, ‘You have to call Max at Alles Technology – trust me,’ we knew it was time to bring in a true expert.”

Before partnering with Alles Technology, Essex Ridge was relying on an ad hoc approach to technology management. Goltermann himself served as the firm’s informal IT support, handling everything from frozen screens to software outages. Issues with core programs, particularly Microsoft systems, could take days to resolve, impacting both productivity and client service.

Compliance expectations were also changing rapidly. As Essex Ridge began operating as a true multi-family office, regulatory oversight intensified. Cybersecurity had shifted from a back-office concern to a board-level imperative. “Cyber used to feel like a ‘stupid expense,’” Goltermann admitted. “But that mindset left us exposed. Looking back, we took one of the biggest risks a firm can take, which was assuming nothing bad would happen.”

Alles Technology executed a comprehensive modernization of Essex Ridge’s infrastructure. They replaced outdated hardware, standardized systems across the organization, and fully integrated mobile and remote capabilities to support today’s advisory model.

In parallel, Alles put a robust cybersecurity program in place, from real-time threat monitoring to quarterly risk assessments to ongoing phishing awareness training. The firm also gained access to a support team that resolves issues immediately, eliminating downtime and restoring confidence across the organization.

Today, Essex Ridge operates with complete confidence in its technology and cybersecurity posture. The firm’s infrastructure is fully compliant, resilient, and scalable, supporting both operational efficiency and long-term enterprise value.

What began as a risk mitigation initiative has now become a source of differentiation. “Cybersecurity has become part of our value proposition,” Goltermann said. “Clients want to know their data is safe. When we tell them we’ve invested in the best-in-class solution, their confidence in us goes up immediately.”