The Small Business
Cyber Security Guy
Welcome to the blog and podcast, where we 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 and the team’s thoughts, not those of our employers, 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 we unpack it all. Pull up a chair.
Practical Guide - Evaluating Security Cost Cuts Without Destroying Your Business (Copy)
Stop cutting security costs based on gut feel and budget pressure. Start using actual frameworks that calculate downside risk. This practical guide walks you through evaluating any security spending decision: What's the notional function versus actual value? What's the cost of being wrong? What's the expected cost multiplied by probability? What invisible value disappears when you cut this? Includes checklists, decision trees, and real cost calculations for training, MFA, insurance, IT staff, and vendor relationships. Because the British Library's £7 million lesson shouldn't need to be learned individually by every UK business.
They saved £12,000 and spent £190,000 learning what training actually prevented. This is a real case, anonymized details, taught me never to treat training as optional expense. Names changed. Mistakes real. Costs actual.
⚠️ 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.