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.

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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.

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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.