Guide Star

Partner Ecosystem

Guide Star

Part of the Rubber Duck Technology partner ecosystem — vetted for capability, accountability, and fit before they ever meet a client.

About the partner

About Guide Star

Enterprise-Level IT & Cybersecurity for SMBs

Founded2021
HeadquartersIron Mountain, MI, USA (105 Kent St, 49801; shared with parent CCI Systems)
OwnershipSubsidiary / Division
AI capabilityIntegrates 3rd-party AI
Working regions

Guide Star, a division of CCI Systems, delivers managed IT and cybersecurity services purpose-built for small and mid-sized businesses. Its flagship Phishing & Security Awareness Training service is fully managed — no new account logins required — with 200+ training videos, continuous simulated phishing campaigns, ‘Learning Moments’ delivered after a simulated phish click, and automatic scheduled reporting that helps clients qualify for cybersecurity insurance. The broader portfolio spans end-user support, systems administration, network services (DIA, Ethernet, MPLS, SD-WAN, SIP trunking), firewall/NaaS, MDR, vulnerability management, managed Wi-Fi and VoIP, and 24/7 monitoring via its contact center and NOC, including a ‘Walk-In Takeover’ service for transitions from failed IT arrangements.

Why teams choose Guide Star

  • Fully managed SAT with no new account logins
  • Training delivered directly to inbox
  • Automatic reporting for cybersecurity insurance qualification
  • Continuous (not annual) campaign model
  • Division of CCI Systems (large network engineering firm)
  • Walk-In Takeover service
  • Enterprise-level tools priced for SMBs

Capabilities we have validated

  • No-login phishing training delivered to inbox
  • 200+ training video library
  • Learning Moments (just-in-time training after simulated phish clicks)
  • Cyber-insurance compliance reporting
  • 24/7 NOC + contact center
  • Backed by CCI Systems' network engineering scale
  • MDR and continuous vulnerability management for SMBs

AI in the offering

Managed IT and cybersecurity services leverage third-party security tooling (SIEM/EDR/endpoint) and vendor AI rather than a proprietary AI platform.

Profile maintained by Rubber Duck Technology research from primary sources and partner collateral · Last verified Aug 30, 2026 · High confidence · Verified multi-source.

Capabilities

Solutions Delivered by Guide Star

The outcomes this partner is equipped to deliver — drawn from our vetting record, not their marketing deck.

cybersecurity_compliance

Security Awareness Training

Guide Star delivers a fully managed phishing and security awareness training program with no new account logins, sending 200+ training videos and 'Learning Moments' directly to employee inboxes after simulated phish clicks.

Fully managed, no logins — Program administration, content, and reporting are handled by Guide Star with training delivered straight to the inbox.

Cyber-insurance reporting — Automatic scheduled reporting helps clients qualify for cybersecurity insurance.

Continuous campaign model — Runs continuously rather than as a one-time annual exercise.

cybersecurity_compliance

Phishing Simulation

Guide Star runs continuous simulated phishing campaigns and delivers just-in-time 'Learning Moments' training the moment an employee clicks a simulated phish.

Continuous campaigns — Simulations run on an ongoing model instead of point-in-time tests.

Just-in-time training — Learning Moments are delivered immediately after a simulated phish click.

managed_it_cloud_ops

Managed IT Services

Guide Star provides end-user support and systems administration for SMBs, backed by the network engineering scale of parent company CCI Systems, including a 'Walk-In Takeover' service for transitions from failed IT arrangements.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — Delivers enterprise-grade tooling priced for small and mid-sized businesses.

Walk-In Takeover — Smoothly assumes IT operations from prior failed arrangements.

Backed by CCI Systems — Supported by the scale of a large network engineering firm.

cybersecurity_compliance

Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

Guide Star offers MDR alongside continuous vulnerability management, bringing enterprise-level threat detection to SMBs at SMB-friendly pricing.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — MDR and vulnerability management are priced for smaller organizations.

24/7 monitoring — Backed by a contact center and NOC operating around the clock.

cybersecurity_compliance

Firewall / Network Security

Guide Star provides firewall and Network-as-a-Service offerings together with network monitoring and management, leaning on CCI Systems' network engineering expertise.

Backed by CCI Systems — Network security is grounded in a large network engineering firm's expertise.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — Brings enterprise-grade network security within reach of SMBs.

Delivery

How We Deliver

Engagement & delivery models we have validated with this partner — where the slide deck ends and the actual work begins.

managed_it_cloud_ops

Managed IT Services

Guide Star manages end-user support and systems administration for SMBs as a division of CCI Systems, including a Walk-In Takeover service for clients transitioning from failed IT providers.

Delivery: Delivered as a fully managed service with 24/7 monitoring via a contact center and NOC.

Walk-In Takeover — Assumes operations from prior failed IT arrangements.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — Enterprise-grade tooling priced for smaller businesses.

cybersecurity_compliance

Managed Security Services

Guide Star delivers managed security spanning MDR, continuous vulnerability management, firewall/NaaS, and managed phishing and awareness training for SMBs.

Delivery: Delivered as fully managed services with 24/7 monitoring and automatic scheduled reporting.

Cyber-insurance reporting — Automatic reporting helps clients qualify for cybersecurity insurance.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — Enterprise-level security priced for SMBs.

cybersecurity_compliance

Security Awareness Training

Guide Star's flagship security awareness service is fully managed with no new logins, delivering training videos and Learning Moments to inboxes and continuous simulated phishing.

Delivery: Fully managed by Guide Star, including program administration, content delivery, and reporting.

Fully managed, no logins — Training is delivered directly to the inbox with no new accounts to manage.

Continuous model — Runs continuously rather than as an annual campaign.

managed_it_cloud_ops

Technical Support / Helpdesk

Guide Star operates a help desk and support center providing end-user support for SMB clients.

Delivery: Delivered through a staffed support center backed by a 24/7 contact center.

24/7 contact center — Support is backed by around-the-clock monitoring and a contact center.

Backed by CCI Systems — Supported by the scale of a large network engineering firm.

managed_it_cloud_ops

24/7 Monitoring

Guide Star provides 24/7 monitoring via its contact center and NOC, watching client networks and systems continuously.

Delivery: Delivered around the clock through a contact center and network operations center.

Backed by CCI Systems — Monitoring leverages a large network engineering firm's infrastructure.

Enterprise tools for SMBs — Brings enterprise-grade monitoring to smaller businesses.

Proof

Results with this partner

Documented outcomes from real engagements — not testimonial vibes.

Case studies featuring this partner are being prepared. See all client results →

Resources

Documents & collateral

Datasheets, spec sheets, case studies and pricing references collected while vetting Guide Star — 2 documents.

Is Guide Star the right partner for you?

We'll give you the straight answer — including who to compare them against.