The Small Business Cyber Security Guy

Welcome to my personal blog — a space where I share my own views, opinions, and insights on technology, cyber security, and the realities of working in IT.

This blog is entirely personal. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine alone. They do not represent the views, policies, or positions of my employer, past or present, or any organisation I’m associated with professionally or personally.

Expect a mix of:

  • Straight-talking advice for small businesses

  • Honest takes on cyber security and IT trends

  • The occasional rant

  • A few war stories from the frontlines (names removed to protect the guilty)

With over 40 years in the industry, I’ve seen a lot — some of it brilliant, some of it baffling.

This blog is where I unpack all of it.

Man wearing glasses and a light gray sweater, smiling
The Impact of 5G on Cyber Security: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

The Impact of 5G on Cyber Security: What Small Businesses Need to Know

5G promises faster speeds and endless connectivity, but for small businesses, it’s also a cyber security minefield. More connected devices means more targets for hackers, and 5G’s speed amplifies every attack. This article explores how 5G is rewriting the cyber risk playbook — and what small businesses need to do to avoid becoming easy prey.

Read More
YouTube Phishing Scam – Deepfake CEO Videos Hijacking Creators’ Accounts
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

YouTube Phishing Scam – Deepfake CEO Videos Hijacking Creators’ Accounts

Hackers are using deepfake videos of YouTube’s CEO to phish creators into handing over their accounts. In this absurd cybercrime twist, scammers send fake YouTube monetization emails featuring a realistic AI-generated video of Neal Mohan, urging creators to “confirm policy updates” via a phishing link disguised as YouTube Studio. The result? Stolen credentials, hijacked channels, and another WTF moment in cybersecurity. This scam is shockingly effective because it uses YouTube’s own private video sharing to appear legitimate. Find out how the scam works, how YouTube is responding, and what every creator (and business) must do to avoid getting scammed by a CEO who doesn’t even know he’s in the video.

Read More
Cyber Essentials Is Changing in April 2025 — Here’s What You Need to Know (Before It Bites You)
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

Cyber Essentials Is Changing in April 2025 — Here’s What You Need to Know (Before It Bites You)

Big changes are coming to Cyber Essentials from April 2025, and they are not just cosmetic. From embracing passwordless logins to treating remote workers' devices like company kit, the new rules mean businesses need to sharpen up their security game — fast. Whether you are managing firewalls, updating browser extensions, or figuring out how to patch a vulnerability with no patch, this update raises the bar. Ignore it at your peril.

Read More
Implementing Zero Trust Security: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Businesses
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

Implementing Zero Trust Security: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Businesses

Trust no one — not even your own staff. That’s the heart of Zero Trust security, the modern approach that treats every device, user, and login as suspicious until proven safe. This guide walks small businesses through the why, what, and how of Zero Trust, helping you lock down your network before cyber criminals stroll right in.

Read More
The US Just Bent Over for Putin — And They’ve Left Every UK SMB Holding Its Own Arse in the Wind
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

The US Just Bent Over for Putin — And They’ve Left Every UK SMB Holding Its Own Arse in the Wind

In a move that defies logic, common sense, and basic self-preservation, the US just ordered its cyber defenders to stop investigating Russian attacks. Why should UK businesses care? Because when the world's cyber watchdog leaves the door wide open, every UK SMB becomes an easier target. This isn’t politics — this is your business continuity on the line.

Read More
Gmail Scams 2025: Nutty Cyber Squirrel Survival Guide
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

Gmail Scams 2025: Nutty Cyber Squirrel Survival Guide

Gmail users face a fresh wave of scams in 2025. Cybercriminals now use artificial intelligence, Google Calendar invites, and fake shared Docs to trick you. Learn how to spot the latest tricks and protect your inbox in this tongue-in-cheek survival guide.

Read More
Data Theft: Why Hackers Don’t Bother Locking Your Files Anymore – They Just Steal Them
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

Data Theft: Why Hackers Don’t Bother Locking Your Files Anymore – They Just Steal Them

Ransomware attacks have changed — and the price for protecting your stolen data now averages £475,000. Hackers are skipping the hassle of file encryption and instead stealing data directly, then demanding payment to keep it private. This shift makes it even clearer that prevention, through schemes like Cyber Essentials, is far cheaper than paying criminals after the fact. In this article, we explore why data theft is the new normal, why small businesses are at risk, and what every company should be doing to stay out of the hackers’ crosshairs.

Read More
Apple vs. The UK Government: A Petty Breakup Over Encryption
Noel Bradford Noel Bradford

Apple vs. The UK Government: A Petty Breakup Over Encryption

The UK government and Apple are in a messy breakup, and—spoiler alert—it’s not mutual. Apple has yanked Advanced Data Protection (ADP) from the UK faster than a politician dodging accountability, all because the government wants a sneaky backdoor into everyone’s iCloud. Apple’s response? “Yeah, no.”

The Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016—affectionately nicknamed the Snooper’s Charter—gives the UK authorities the power to demand weaker encryption, which, as every cybersecurity expert knows, is about as smart as setting your password to “password123.” Apple, not one to be bullied, packed up and left, meaning UK users are now stuck with less protection and more vulnerability.

So, who wins? Not the everyday user, who now gets to live in constant fear that their private data is an all-you-can-eat buffet for cybercriminals. But hey, at least the UK government can pat itself on the back for really sticking it to privacy. Welcome to 2025—where security is optional, surveillance is mandatory, and Apple just swiped left on Britain.

Read More

⚠️ 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.