Philip

After 30 years in cybersecurity, I’ve stepped away from the 9-to-5 grind, but not from the mission. Today, I help small businesses protect what matters most with clear, expert cybersecurity advice, no jargon, just proven strategies that work.

When I’m not helping business owners stay one step ahead of cyber threats, you’ll find me exploring the world underwater as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Diveheart Adaptive Scuba Instructor or planning my next world travel adventure with my bride of almost 35 years (our travel mantra is "Spend the inheritance before the kids get it!")

Whether you’re looking for a trusted advisor, a guest speaker, a mentor, or just someone to share travel and scuba stories with (I take pretty good underwater pictures), let's connect.

Create your own cybersecurity playbook with this DIY guide for small businesses. Learn to assess, mitigate, and manage cybersecurity risk efficiently.

DIY Cybersecurity Playbook: Build Your SMB Security Program Solo

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If you’re a small business owner wearing all the hats, from CEO to IT helpdesk, let me tell you why having a solid cyber playbook isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore. It’s your business’s digital survival kit. Threats are no longer just targeting big-money corporations. These days, the bad guys know small businesses often have weaker defenses, and they’re exploiting that. The good news? You don’t need a six-figure budget to defend yourself. You just need to follow a clear, realistic plan, your very own cyber playbook.

QR Code Phishing is rising fast. Here's how small businesses can train employees and secure devices to stay ahead of these new phishing threats.

Controversial QR Code Phishing: How Small Businesses Can Stay One Step Ahead

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QR Code Phishing is becoming one of the fastest-growing threats targeting small businesses today. It’s sneaky, low-effort for attackers, and plays on something we’ve all gotten used to, those little pixelated squares we scan without a second thought. But now, cybercriminals are stuffing those QR codes with malicious traps, tricking folks into giving up sensitive info or downloading nasty software straight to their phones. For small business owners juggling a dozen priorities a day, this isn’t just another thing to worry about, this is something that can knock you flat if you’re not careful.

This proven small business blueprint makes building powerful security awareness simple, practical, and even fun. Boost your team’s defenses today.

Security Awareness Simplified: A Small Business Blueprint That Actually Works

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When it comes to protecting your small business, security awareness isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s your first line of defense. With nearly 95% of breaches caused by human error, educating your people can make or break your cybersecurity posture. Whether it’s phishing scams, weak passwords, or sketchy Wi-Fi use, your team’s decisions every day matter more than any software you install. That’s why getting security awareness right is more important now than ever.

Learn what small businesses must do now to protect themselves from remote worker fraud schemes like the recent North Korean infiltration uncovered by the DOJ.

Uncovering the Secrets of Remote Worker Fraud: What Small Businesses Must Learn

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If you’re a small business owner hiring remote workers, it’s time to get really serious about security. The DOJ just dropped a bombshell about a massive remote worker fraud scheme involving North Korea, and yes, small businesses were right in the crosshairs. According to the feds, fake identities and laptop farms were used to con their way into over 100 U.S. businesses. These weren’t just big firms with deep pockets; they were small companies, mom-and-pop shops, folks just trying to bridge the talent gap with affordable remote IT help. Now they’re facing the fallout from data breaches, theft, and possibly even national security violations.

Discover how to protect your brand from social media selling risks that could harm your reputation, privacy, or sales. A must-read for small business owners.

Stunning Social Media Selling Risks: Safeguarding Your Brand on Social Media Day

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Today is Social Media Day! Let’s discuss social media selling risks that many small business owners overlook when crafting catchy captions or sharing product photos on Instagram. But scratch just beneath the surface, and you’ll find some serious pitfalls that could do more than just churn your algorithms; they could harm your brand, compromise your customer data, and even land you in hot water legally. With more businesses jumping into social selling without a clear game plan, the risks are becoming harder to ignore.

Protect your small business with the 3-2-1 backup strategy. Learn practical tips to defend against ransomware and secure your critical company data.

Backup Strategy That Works: The 3‑2‑1 Rule Every Small Business Should Use Against Ransomware

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If you’re running a small business, it’s not just about having a backup, it’s about having the right backup strategy. Most folks think dragging some files into a USB drive now and then cuts it, but that’s a recipe for disaster when ransomware strikes or hardware fails. That’s where the timeless 3‑2‑1 backup rule comes in: it’s simple, reliable, and built to give your business a fighting chance when everything else goes sideways.

Network segmentation made simple for small businesses. Follow our expert step-by-step guide to audit, secure, and future-proof your network today.

Network Segmentation: A 10-Step Guide for Small Businesses

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Think network segmentation is just for big tech firms with sprawling IT teams? Think again. Even a one-person business can, and should, use segmentation to protect what matters most. Whether you’re a solo consultant or a growing small business, breaking your network into smaller, secure zones isn’t just smart, it’s essential. This simple strategy puts walls around your sensitive data and critical systems, making it harder for attackers to move freely if they get in. And if disaster strikes? Segmentation acts like a fire door, containing the damage and keeping your operations intact. It’s powerful protection without the enterprise price tag.

Learn how collateral cyber risk from Iran-Israel tensions could directly impact U.S. small businesses and how to protect your company now.

From Tel Aviv to Topeka: The Shocking Collateral Cyber Risk U.S. Small Businesses Can’t Ignore

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When missiles fly overseas, malware often follows, and your small business might be squarely in the crosshairs. Collateral cyber risks tied to geopolitical tensions, such as the Iran–Israel conflict, no longer just affect governments and large corporations. Increasingly, hackers are targeting vulnerable points in the supply chain, including U.S. small businesses. Whether you’re running a dental clinic in Atlanta or a Shopify store out of Chicago, you may be in the cyber impact zone. Here’s what you need to know, and how to harden your digital defenses before it’s too late.

Discover how the WormGPT resurgence targets small businesses with AI-driven phishing and credential theft tools. Stay alert, secure, and ahead of threats.

Mammoth WormGPT Resurgence: How Cybercriminals Exploit AI

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The WormGPT resurgence is back in the spotlight, and it’s not just a blip on the radar. Small businesses need to sit up and pay attention, because this isn’t fringe tech anymore. We’ve entered a messy new chapter where cybercriminals are twisting cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools like Grok and Mixtral into phishing and credential-theft machines. And the worst part? You don’t need any special skills to get in on the action if you’re one of the bad guys. With monthly rentals as cheap as €60, anyone with some curiosity and poor intentions can weaponize these commercial tools.

Zero-Click exploits are evolving threats to Microsoft 365 and AI tools. Discover how small businesses can protect themselves with smart security moves.

Zero-Click Exploits: 4 Urgent Reasons Small Businesses Must Rethink Microsoft 365 Security

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Let’s talk about zero-click. If you haven’t heard that phrase yet, brew yourself a cup of coffee and settle in—because this one’s a doozy, especially if you’re running a small business that leans heavily on cloud tools like Microsoft 365. A zero-click exploit is exactly what it sounds like: a cyberattack that requires absolutely no interaction from the user. No clicking a suspicious link. No downloading a sketchy attachment. Your employee could be eating lunch, and boom—compromised. How? These attacks take advantage of underlying flaws in software to slip in quietly, and they’re starting to find their way into tools small businesses increasingly rely on—like AI-powered platforms.