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.

Man wearing glasses and a light gray sweater, smiling
When Insider Threats Strike: Real-World Case Studies and Business Lessons
Industry Analysis, Cyber Security for Small Businesses, Podcast Noel Bradford Industry Analysis, Cyber Security for Small Businesses, Podcast Noel Bradford

When Insider Threats Strike: Real-World Case Studies and Business Lessons

A teenager extorted 2.85 million dollars from PowerSchool. A student in Iowa ran a grade change business with pocket keyloggers. UK schools lost days of teaching to ransomware. None of this needed elite tools. It needed access, weak controls, and time. That is your wake up call. Do you know what your vendors hold about you? Do you keep more data than you need? Could someone walk up and plug in a device? Layer simple controls. Use MFA. Limit access. Monitor for odd activity. Test restores. Plan for vendor failure. Will you act before your data funds someone else’s payday?

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⚠️ 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.