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.
Still Faxing in 2025? The UK Councils Stuck in a Time Warp
It’s 2025, but some UK councils and NHS departments are still sending confidential data via fax machines.
That’s right. No encryption, no audit trail, just a shrieking relic from the 1980s spewing out safeguarding case notes or your latest blood test results from the GUM clinic into a shared office tray.
With the analogue switch-off looming, this isn’t just old-fashioned, or quaint, it’s reckless. Why the hell are printer manufacturers are still enabling this madness - Looking at you HP, Epson, Xerox et al.
If your council or trust or SMB still faxes, they’re not just behind the times. They’re holding the door wide open to the next data breach.
Root Canal or Rootkit? Why Your Dentist’s PC Might Be More Dangerous Than the Drill
It’s 2025. You’re in a sterile, brightly lit dental surgery — and there it is. A screen glowing with the unmistakable Windows 7 login. The same OS that went end-of-life in 2020. What the actual hell? That PC isn't just a relic — it’s a walking GDPR violation and a ransomware welcome mat.
If your dentist is still running patient records on Windows 7 or even XP, you’re not just risking plaque you’re risking identity theft. Please for the love of all things secure STOP THIS NOW. Before a root canal becomes the least painful part of your visit.
Cyber Essentials 2025: The End of Checkbox Theatre
On 28 April 2025, the UK’s beloved Cyber Essentials scheme quietly lobbed a compliance grenade into your IT department.
The Willow question set has arrived, and with it comes a new standard for audits, especially for Cyber Essentials Plus. The big twist? You no longer get to pick the test machines. That’s right , your favourite “show laptop” patched 20 minutes before the audit isn’t going to save you.
The auditor picks now ,and gives you just three working days' notice. Smoke, meet exit. This article unpacks what’s changed, who it affects, and how to stop your next CE+ audit from turning into a public shaming.
⚠️ 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.