The Small Business
Cyber Security Guy
Welcome to my blog and podcast, where I share brutally honest views, sharp opinions, and lived experience from four decades in the technology trenches. Whether you're here to read or tune in, expect no corporate fluff and no pulled punches.
Everything here is personal. These are my thoughts, not those of my employer, clients, or any poor soul professionally tied to me. If you’re offended, take it up with me, not them.
What you’ll get here (and on the podcast):
Straight-talking advice for small businesses that want to stay secure
Honest takes on cybersecurity trends, IT malpractice, and vendor nonsense
The occasional rant — and yes, the occasional expletive
War stories from the frontlines (names changed to protect the spectacularly guilty)
I've been doing this for over 40 years. I’ve seen genius, idiocy, and everything in between. Some of it makes headlines, and most of it should.
This blog and the podcast is where I unpack it all. Pull up a chair.
DrayTek Disaster: Why Your Business Wi-Fi Just Became a Cybersecurity Liability
A critical flaw in DrayTek routers is wreaking havoc on UK broadband connections — and no, this isn’t just a “techie problem.” Businesses across the country are unknowingly running vulnerable, outdated routers that are now being blocked by ISPs for good reason.
DNS hijacks, remote code execution, and silent compromises are all in play. If you're still clinging to your 2018 networking gear like it’s a family heirloom, it’s time to wake up. This isn’t about cost — it’s about negligence. Here’s what’s going on, why it matters, and what to do before your internet (and reputation) vanishes.
Why Small Businesses Are a Hacker’s Favourite Snack (And How Not to Be One)
Small businesses love to think they’re “too small” for hackers to bother with. Reality check: that’s exactly why cybercriminals love you. No security team. No proper defences. Just an unlocked digital front door and a password that might as well be ‘password123’. If you’re not taking cybersecurity seriously, you’re practically begging to be hacked.
In this post, we break down why small businesses are an easy target, the biggest security mistakes they make, and how Cyber Essentials can stop your business from becoming a cybercriminal’s next easy payday. Spoiler: it’s easier (and cheaper) than you think.
⚠️ Full Disclaimer
This is my personal blog. The views, opinions, and content shared here are mine and mine alone. They do not reflect or represent the views, beliefs, or policies of:
My employer
Any current or past clients, suppliers, or partners
Any other organisation I’m affiliated with in any capacity
Nothing here should be taken as formal advice — legal, technical, financial, or otherwise. If you’re making decisions for your business, always seek professional advice tailored to your situation.
Where I mention products, services, or companies, that’s based purely on my own experience and opinions — I’m not being paid to promote anything. If that ever changes, I’ll make it clear.
In short: This is my personal space to share my personal views. No one else is responsible for what’s written here — so if you have a problem with something, take it up with me, not my employer.