---
title: "How to Choose Cybersecurity Services in Charlotte, North Carolina: A Buyer's Guide"
url: https://manishshivanandhan.com/how-to-choose-cybersecurity-services-in-charlotte-north-carolina-a-buyer-s-guide/
description: "Choosing a cybersecurity provider in Charlotte means trusting someone with your client data, your email, and your ability to open for business tomorrow. A bad fit shows."
published: 2026-09-14
updated: 2026-09-14
---

# How to Choose Cybersecurity Services in Charlotte, North Carolina: A Buyer's Guide

Published 2026-09-14

Choosing a cybersecurity provider in Charlotte means trusting someone with your client data, your email, and your ability to open for business tomorrow. A bad fit shows up as slow response times, vague invoices, and security gaps nobody flagged until it was too late.

This guide walks through how Charlotte IT Solutions defines its services, who it serves, and what separates a real cybersecurity partner from a vendor with a logo. You will finish with a buyer's checklist covering response time, guarantees, pricing, and trust signals, so you can compare providers and make a confident decision.

## What Is Charlotte IT Solutions? A Charlotte IT Solutions Cybersecurity Provider Defined

Charlotte IT Solutions is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based managed IT and cybersecurity provider that delivers a full-circle approach to solving the IT needs of local and regional businesses. The company functions as a **managed security service provider (MSSP)**, handling both day-to-day IT support and the layered defenses that protect a business from ransomware, phishing, malware, and other modern threats.

Founded by experienced network engineers and web professionals, the company was built around an equal dedication to solving technology problems end to end. That background shapes how it approaches **cybersecurity services in Charlotte**: not as a standalone add-on, but as part of a connected technology strategy.

Charlotte IT Solutions has served the Charlotte area for **25 years** and is an award-winning company grounded in technology. Its service lines span full network infrastructure support, managed IT services, help desk outsourcing, on-site staffing, IT project management, asset management, managed security services, cybersecurity services, and cloud management.

For buyers comparing providers, that breadth matters. A firm that already understands your network, cloud environment, and endpoints is better positioned to run a meaningful risk assessment and keep protections aligned with how your business actually operates.

### Who They Serve: Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Across the Carolinas

Charlotte IT Solutions focuses on small and mid-sized businesses, typically ranging from 10 to 100 employees, across a variety of industries. Within that range, the company serves **small businesses (10 to 50 employees)** and **mid-size businesses (50 to 100 employees)**, two groups with very different IT budgets, staffing, and risk profiles.

The industries served include:

- Construction
- Dental
- Education
- Financial
- Healthcare
- Law firms
- Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Non-profit
- Property management

These organizations share a common problem. They rarely have a full in-house IT and security team, yet they face the same threats as far larger enterprises. A construction firm with 20 employees still has payroll data, client contracts, and project files worth stealing or holding for ransom.

Compliance raises the stakes further. A dental practice handling patient records, a law firm protecting privileged client information, or a financial services office processing card payments all face regulatory expectations that demand documented safeguards. That is where **managed cybersecurity services** close the gap between what a small team can handle alone and what auditors, insurers, and clients now expect.

Charlotte IT Solutions serves businesses locally and regionally, with roots in Charlotte and reach across the greater North and South Carolina region. For a buyer in the Carolinas, a provider that already knows the local market, the regional talent pool, and the compliance landscape is a practical advantage over a distant national vendor.

## Why Charlotte IT Solutions Is a Trustworthy Choice for Cybersecurity Services

Charlotte IT Solutions has built a reputation as a trustworthy cybersecurity provider through 25 years of service, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and round-the-clock support. For a buyer weighing vendor selection in North Carolina, that track record matters. Cybersecurity is a long-term relationship, not a one-time purchase.

When a provider has served the same city for a quarter century, it has weathered every major shift in the threat landscape, from early malware outbreaks to today's ransomware and phishing campaigns. **Longevity signals stability**. A firm that endures does so because clients keep renewing.

Trust also comes from accountability. Charlotte IT Solutions stands behind its work with a **100% satisfaction guarantee**, which removes much of the risk from choosing a managed security service provider. If the service does not meet expectations, the client is not left absorbing the loss alone.

Round-the-clock coverage is another pillar. **24/7 IT support** means incidents do not wait for business hours, and neither does the response. Threats like ransomware and intrusions rarely strike at a convenient time, so constant availability is a practical necessity rather than a luxury.

The differentiators that define the company's approach include:

- Serving Charlotte for 25 years
- Charlotte's most referred provider
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- 24/7 IT support
- Customer service centered
- Data-driven solutions
- Recognized cybersecurity experts
- Clients made part of the team
- Simple, straightforward processes
- Full transparency
- Decades of combined IT experience
- Proactive initiative
- Ownership of the solutions sold
- Stellar local service reputation

Several of these points reinforce one another. Being **customer service centered** and believing in **full transparency** means clients understand what is being protected and why. Being data-driven means recommendations follow evidence, not guesswork.

Taking the initiative by **staying proactive** matters in security work, where prevention beats reaction. Owning the solutions sold also keeps accountability in one place, so a client is not passed between vendors when something needs attention.

Local ties add another layer of confidence. Partnerships with the **Panthers** and **Charlotte FC** show a business embedded in its community, not a faceless operation. For anyone comparing cybersecurity services in Charlotte, North Carolina, that combination of tenure, guarantees, availability, and service culture offers real peace of mind.

## Key Cybersecurity Services and What Makes Charlotte IT Solutions Stand Out

Charlotte IT Solutions offers a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services, from ransomware protection to advanced IT security, designed to address modern threats. The company goes well beyond basic IT support, pairing **IT Security Services** with the strategic and operational layers that keep a business running safely.

Its service catalog covers **Managed IT Services**, IT Strategy Planning Services, IT Support, an Outsourced Help Desk, and vCIO Services. On the security side, clients can draw on Ransomware Protection, Advanced IT Security, Email Security Services, Endpoint Security Management, IT Disaster Recovery, and Cybersecurity Services.

Supporting services round out the picture, including Cloud IT Support, Mobile Device Management, IT Compliance Services, HIPAA IT Compliance, and PCI Compliance Services. The sections below break down the core protections and the recovery and advanced security layers that matter most to buyers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

### Ransomware Protection, Email Security, and Endpoint Security Management

Ransomware protection, email security, and endpoint security management form the core of Charlotte IT Solutions' defense against modern cyber threats. Each addresses a different way attackers get in, and together they close the gaps that small and midsize businesses often leave open.

**Ransomware Protection** matters because a single encrypted file server can halt operations for days. A sensible program combines regular backups, early detection of suspicious encryption activity, and a tested response plan so a business can restore data instead of paying a demand. For an SMB without a dedicated security team, that layered approach is the difference between a bad afternoon and a business-ending event.

**Email Security Services** target the most common entry point: phishing. Spam filtering, malicious link and attachment blocking, and impersonation checks reduce the volume of fraudulent messages that reach employee inboxes. Since a convincing phishing email can hand over credentials in seconds, filtering before delivery is far cheaper than cleaning up afterward.

**Endpoint Security Management** covers laptops, desktops, and mobile devices with antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR). EDR watches for unusual behavior, not just known malware signatures, and can isolate a compromised machine before the threat spreads across the network.

For SMBs, the practical takeaway is to ask any managed security service provider how these three controls work together. Research suggests most breaches exploit exactly these vectors, so coverage across ransomware, email, and endpoints is a reasonable baseline for a risk assessment.

### IT Disaster Recovery and Advanced IT Security

Charlotte IT Solutions provides IT Disaster Recovery and advanced IT security services to ensure business continuity and robust protection against sophisticated threats. Where the core protections stop an attack, these services limit the damage and speed the return to normal operations.

**IT Disaster Recovery** focuses on what happens after a data breach, ransomware incident, or major outage. A workable plan defines recovery time and recovery point objectives, maintains tested backups, and documents the steps to restore systems and data. Without it, businesses improvise under pressure, which usually stretches downtime and increases cost. Disaster recovery also underpins business continuity, keeping critical applications and communications available while systems are rebuilt.

**Advanced IT Security** adds the deeper controls that sophisticated threats require. That typically includes firewall management, intrusion detection, security information and event management (SIEM), and vulnerability management. Firewall management hardens the network perimeter, intrusion detection flags anomalous traffic, SIEM correlates events across systems so analysts can spot patterns, and vulnerability management finds and prioritizes weaknesses before attackers do.

These capabilities also support compliance. Organizations facing HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2, NIST, or ISO 27001 obligations need documented controls, monitoring, and recovery procedures. Charlotte IT Solutions backs this with IT Compliance Services, HIPAA IT Compliance, and PCI Compliance Services, helping buyers in Charlotte, North Carolina align security spending with the requirements they must meet.

## How to Evaluate Cybersecurity Providers: A Buyer's Checklist

When evaluating cybersecurity providers, businesses should use a checklist that includes local presence, response time, transparency, and guarantees. These criteria separate a true managed security service provider (MSSP) from a vendor that simply sells software and steps away.

A strong checklist also covers how a provider handles **data-driven solutions**, whether it offers round-the-clock monitoring, and how clearly it explains its pricing and contracts. Each item below explores one of these criteria in detail so buyers in Charlotte, North Carolina can compare providers with confidence.

### Local Presence, Response Time, and 24/7 IT Support

A provider with a local presence, such as Charlotte IT Solutions, can offer faster response times and 24/7 IT support, which is critical for minimizing downtime. Proximity matters when a threat requires hands-on attention, such as a compromised server or a failed firewall that needs replacement hardware on site.

Charlotte IT Solutions has roots in the greater North and South Carolina regions and serves customers across both states. Its managed IT services reach Albemarle, Asheville, Ballantyne, Belmont, Charleston, Charlotte, China Grove, Claremont, Columbia, Concord, Conover, Cramerton, Denver, Fort Mill, Gastonia, Granite Quarry, Greenville, Greensboro, Harrisburg, Hickory, High Point, Huntersville, Indian Land, Kannapolis, Lake Norman, Landis, Lenoir, Lexington, Lincolnton, Maiden, Monroe, Mooresville, Morganton, Mt. Holly, Mt. Pleasant, Myrtle Beach, New London, Newton, Rock Hill, Salisbury, Spartanburg, Spencer, Statesville, Tega Cay, Waxhaw, and Winston Salem.

Local knowledge also helps with compliance requirements. A provider familiar with North Carolina and South Carolina businesses understands the regulatory pressures that shape a risk assessment, from HIPAA for medical practices to PCI DSS for retailers handling card payments.

When assessing response time, ask each provider for its service level agreement (SLA). Key questions include:

- What is the guaranteed response time for a critical incident?
- Is support truly available 24/7, including holidays?
- How are incidents escalated, and who communicates with your team?
- Does the SLA cover on-site visits, or is support remote only?

Charlotte IT Solutions backs its service with 24/7 IT support and 25 years of serving Charlotte, giving buyers a concrete track record to weigh against promises from less established vendors.

### Transparency, Guarantees, and Data-Driven Solutions

Transparency in pricing and services, strong guarantees, and data-driven decision-making are hallmarks of a reliable cybersecurity provider like Charlotte IT Solutions. Clear contracts matter because hidden fees and vague scopes make it impossible to budget for endpoint protection, network security, or cloud security over the long term.

Ask potential providers to explain their guarantees in writing. Charlotte IT Solutions offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and believes in full transparency, which means buyers can review terms before signing rather than discovering limits after an incident.

Data-driven solutions add another layer of value. Instead of reacting to threats after they strike, a data-driven approach uses analytics to spot patterns and address weaknesses before they become a data breach or ransomware event. Charlotte IT Solutions takes the initiative by staying proactive and is data-driven with its IT approach, which supports services such as vulnerability management, intrusion detection, and incident response planning.

Charlotte IT Solutions also owns the solutions it sells and is customer service centered, keeping things simple for clients and making each customer part of the team. With 25 years in Charlotte and a reputation as the area's most referred provider, it offers the transparency, guarantees, and proactive posture that buyers should demand from any MSSP.

## Pricing and Plans

Cybersecurity pricing varies based on the scope of services, number of endpoints, and level of support required, so it's essential to request a customized quote. A five-person law firm with a single office has very different needs than a 200-seat call center running three shifts.

Most managed security service providers in Charlotte, North Carolina build quotes around a few core inputs. Understanding those inputs helps you compare proposals fairly instead of judging on the bottom line alone.

- **Company size and user count**, which drives licensing, monitoring volume, and support load
- **Number of endpoints and servers**, including laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and cloud workloads
- **Services selected**, such as endpoint protection, firewall management, SIEM monitoring, or security awareness training
- **Compliance requirements**, since HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2, or ISO 27001 obligations add auditing and reporting work
- **Response expectations**, because around-the-clock SOC coverage costs more than business-hours monitoring

Because these factors shift so much from one business to the next, published price lists are rare in this industry. A customized quote is the norm, and any provider that skips a risk assessment before pricing the work is cutting a corner.

When you request a quote from Charlotte IT Solutions, be ready to share your device count, industry, and any compliance deadlines. That detail speeds up the proposal and reduces the chance of surprise line items later.

Managed cybersecurity contracts generally follow one of three pricing models. Each has trade-offs worth weighing against your budget cycle and growth plans.

| Model | How It Works | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Per user | Flat monthly rate for each employee, often bundling email security, training, and endpoint tools | Office-based teams with predictable headcount |
| Per device | Rate applied to each endpoint, server, or cloud instance under management | Device-heavy operations or mixed workforces |
| Tiered plans | Good, better, best packages that add monitoring depth, response speed, or compliance reporting | Businesses that want room to upgrade as they grow |

Some providers also quote project work separately. Penetration testing, red teaming, and incident response retainers are often one-time or annual fees rather than part of the monthly subscription.

Ask each vendor to spell out what sits inside the base fee and what triggers extra charges. **Scope clarity matters more than the headline rate**, because a low quote with thin coverage usually costs more once add-ons appear.

It is tempting to treat cybersecurity as a discretionary expense, especially for small and mid-sized businesses in Charlotte. That math rarely holds up after a real incident.

A single data breach can trigger forensic investigation, legal fees, notification costs, regulatory penalties, and lost revenue from downtime. Ransomware adds recovery expenses on top, and phishing remains one of the most common entry points attackers use.

Research suggests many small businesses never fully recover from a serious breach. Framed against those potential losses, a monthly managed security fee looks less like overhead and more like insurance you can actually operate.

Compliance adds another layer of value. If your industry falls under HIPAA, PCI DSS, or similar rules, documented security controls can be the difference between passing an audit and facing fines. A managed security service provider that maps its work to frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001 gives you evidence to show auditors and clients.

When comparing proposals, weigh total cost of ownership rather than the lowest monthly number. Cheaper plans that omit intrusion detection, vulnerability management, or security awareness training leave gaps that attackers are happy to find.

Getting apples-to-apples quotes takes a little preparation. A short checklist keeps vendor selection grounded in facts instead of sales polish.

1. Document your current environment: users, devices, servers, cloud services, and any legacy systems
2. List your compliance obligations and any upcoming audit dates
3. Decide which functions you need covered, from endpoint protection and firewall management to SIEM monitoring and incident response
4. Ask whether onboarding, training, and disaster recovery planning are included or billed separately
5. Request the contract term, renewal terms, and any early termination conditions in writing

Also ask how each provider handles escalation. A clear path from detection to response, with defined roles and communication channels, tells you more about service quality than any marketing page.

Finally, compare at least three proposals side by side. Use the same scope document for each request so differences reflect actual coverage, not vague wording. That discipline turns a confusing pricing exercise into a straightforward decision about risk, budget, and fit for your Charlotte, North Carolina business.

## Trust Signals: 25 Years Serving Charlotte IT Solutions and Client Testimonials

With 25 years of service in Charlotte and positive client testimonials, Charlotte IT Solutions has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses. In an industry where providers appear and disappear quickly, that kind of longevity matters. It signals stability, deep local knowledge, and a track record that newer cybersecurity services in Charlotte simply cannot match.

Two and a half decades in the same market means the team has supported clients through **evolving threats** and changing compliance requirements. From early malware outbreaks to today's ransomware and phishing campaigns, Charlotte IT Solutions has adapted alongside the region's businesses. That history builds confidence for any buyer weighing vendor selection.

Longevity alone is not enough, though. Referrals and testimonials show whether a provider actually delivers. Charlotte IT Solutions is described as the **most referred provider** in its market, a signal that clients trust the team enough to recommend it to others.

For buyers comparing a managed security service provider, or MSSP, these trust signals reduce risk. A provider with a long local history and a strong referral network is far easier to vet than an unknown vendor with no verifiable track record.

Client feedback puts those signals into human terms. December Johnson shared a testimonial that speaks directly to how Charlotte IT Solutions operates day to day.

In her words, the company has been providing IT support for some time, and she is pleased with their **sense of urgency, pro-activity and level of expertise** when assisting her team. She added that she feels they go beyond expectations in addressing concerns promptly, and that she is grateful to be partnered with this team.

That testimonial touches on three qualities buyers should look for in any MSSP:

- **Urgency**, meaning issues are treated as priorities rather than queued indefinitely
- **Pro-activity**, meaning problems are addressed before they escalate
- **Expertise**, meaning the team has the knowledge to resolve concerns correctly

These are the same traits that matter in incident response, vulnerability management, and everyday network security. A provider that responds promptly and proactively helps contain a data breach or ransomware event before it spreads.

Charlotte IT Solutions also backs its work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For a buyer, that removes some of the hesitation that comes with signing a security contract. It signals the provider stands behind its service rather than leaving clients to absorb the risk alone.

Together, these signals answer a common buyer question: is this provider safe to trust with sensitive systems and compliance requirements? A 25-year local history, a strong referral reputation, a detailed client testimonial, and a satisfaction guarantee point to a clear verdict. Charlotte IT Solutions is a legitimate, established partner for businesses across Charlotte, North Carolina.

## Who Should Use Charlotte IT Solutions

Charlotte IT Solutions is ideal for small and mid-sized businesses in the Carolinas that need reliable, local cybersecurity and IT support. The company focuses on organizations with **10 to 100 employees**, a range where most businesses have real security needs but rarely have the budget or staff for a full in-house security team.

If your company falls into that size bracket and operates in one of the industries below, you are squarely in the firm's target audience:

- Construction
- Dental practices
- Education
- Financial services
- Healthcare
- Law firms
- Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Non-profit organizations
- Property management

Two distinct groups sit inside that employee range. **Small businesses with 10 to 50 employees** often have no dedicated IT staff at all, which makes an outside provider the only realistic path to consistent protection. **Mid-size businesses with 50 to 100 employees** usually have some internal capability but still need outside depth for monitoring, compliance, and incident response.

Industry matters just as much as headcount. A dental office handling patient records, a law firm holding privileged client data, and a manufacturer with production systems all face different risks. Charlotte IT Solutions works across these sectors, so the guidance you receive reflects how businesses like yours actually operate.

Compliance is often the deciding factor. Healthcare and dental clients deal with HIPAA obligations. Financial firms and property managers may face PCI DSS or SOC 2 expectations. Legal practices contend with strict confidentiality duties. A provider that already understands these frameworks saves your team months of guesswork.

Local presence is the other practical advantage. A Charlotte-area provider can respond to an on-site need without waiting on a distant support queue. For businesses in the Carolinas, that proximity matters when a security incident demands fast action.

You are probably a strong fit if any of the following describes your situation:

- You have 10 to 100 employees and no full-time security specialist
- Your industry carries compliance requirements you cannot ignore
- You need endpoint protection, network security, or firewall management handled by someone else
- You want a provider familiar with the local business landscape
- You would rather prevent a data breach than recover from one

You may not be the right fit if you are a solo operator with minimal technology needs, or a large enterprise with a fully staffed security operations center. Those organizations typically need a different scale of service than a small or mid-sized business does.

For everyone in between, Charlotte IT Solutions offers a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all package. The combination of local support, sector experience, and compliance awareness makes it a natural match for growing Carolina businesses that take security seriously.

## Final Verdict

Charlotte IT Solutions emerges as a strong contender for businesses seeking a local, experienced, and customer-focused cybersecurity provider in the Carolinas. After weighing the factors that matter most in vendor selection, track record, breadth of services, and accountability, this provider stands out for reasons that are easy to verify.

A **25-year history** in the Charlotte market is not a marketing claim. It reflects decades of navigating the region's evolving threat landscape, from early malware outbreaks to today's ransomware and phishing campaigns. Longevity also signals staying power, which matters when you are trusting a managed security service provider with your network, cloud environment, and customer data.

Just as important is the **breadth of services** under one roof. Rather than juggling separate vendors for endpoint protection, firewall management, and incident response, businesses can consolidate their cybersecurity needs with a single partner. That reduces gaps between tools and keeps accountability in one place.

Strong guarantees round out the picture. When a provider is willing to stand behind its work, it signals confidence in its own delivery. For a buyer comparing options, that combination of history, scope, and commitment is a meaningful differentiator.

For businesses that want to move forward, reaching out for a consultation is the natural next step. Charlotte IT Solutions can be contacted at:

- **Address:** 2303 W. Morehead St. Suite 201, Charlotte, NC 28208
- **Phone:** (704) 459-7912, (704) 897-6250, (704) 741-4257, (704) 931-5150, (704) 850-6356, (704) 946-8834
- **Hours:** Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- **Social profiles:** CharlotteITSolutions, CLT_ITSOLUTIONS, CHARLOTTE-IT-SOLUTIONS

Choosing cybersecurity services is a decision that affects every part of your operation. A provider with a proven local history, a full service lineup, and clear guarantees gives you a solid foundation. Contact Charlotte IT Solutions to discuss your risk assessment, compliance requirements, and security goals, and take the next step toward stronger protection for your business.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What cybersecurity services does Charlotte IT Solutions actually offer?

Charlotte IT Solutions provides a full circle approach to IT, with security offerings that include IT Security Services, Ransomware Protection, Advanced IT Security, Email Security Services, and Endpoint Security Management. Because these services sit alongside Managed IT Services, IT Support, and Outsourced Help Desk, security can be handled as part of your overall IT strategy rather than as an isolated add-on. If you're unsure which mix fits your business, the team can walk you through the options.

### How do I know whether my Charlotte IT Solutions business needs managed security or just a one-time security project?

It generally comes down to whether you have the in-house staff and time to monitor, patch, and respond to threats every day. Small and mid-sized businesses - including the 10-50 and 50-100 employee ranges Charlotte IT Solutions works with - often lack dedicated security personnel, which is where ongoing managed security tends to make sense. If you already have internal IT but need strategic direction, services like vCIO Services and IT Strategy Planning can help you decide. A consultation is the fastest way to get a straight answer for your situation.

### What should I look for when comparing cybersecurity providers in Charlotte IT Solutions?

Look for a provider with local roots, a clear scope of services, and a track record you can verify through references. Charlotte IT Solutions has been serving Charlotte for 25 years, is described as Charlotte's Most Referred, and offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, which gives you concrete points to weigh against other providers. Ask any vendor - including us - exactly which services are included, how support requests are handled, and what happens during an incident. Be cautious of any provider that won't put those details in writing.

### Do I need to be a certain size or in a certain industry to work with Charlotte IT Solutions?

No - the focus is on small and mid-sized businesses, with industries served that include construction, dental, education, financial, healthcare, law firms, logistics, manufacturing, and nonprofits. If your organization falls outside those categories, it's still worth a call, since the team takes a full circle approach to solving IT needs. The best way to find out is to describe your environment and let them tell you honestly whether they're a good fit.

### What kind of support can I expect after I sign up?

Charlotte IT Solutions offers 24/7 IT Support and prides itself on customer-service-centered, data-driven solutions delivered by specialists whose experience spans multiple decades. The company's stated approach is to make you a part of the team, so you're working with people who understand your business rather than a faceless ticket queue. You can reach the team at (704) 459-7912 during business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, or through the 24/7 support channel once you're a client.

### How do I get started with a cybersecurity evaluation?

Call Charlotte IT Solutions at (704) 459-7912 or visit the office at 2303 W. Morehead St. Suite 201, Charlotte, NC 28208. The team serves the greater North and South Carolina region as well as customers across the country, so location isn't a barrier. Come prepared with a rough picture of your current setup - endpoints, email platform, and any past incidents - and you'll get a more useful conversation from the first call.
