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AI at work is transforming how we get things done - but are we thinking about the security implications?

I've just published my latest thoughts on Microsoft Copilot and the new internal risks it can create for UK businesses. We need to understand how powerful AI tools interact with our existing data permissions.

The challenge isn't with Copilot itself, but with how it exposes the access control gaps that already exist in most organisations:

✅ AI doesn't change permissions - it just makes existing oversharing more visible
✅ Most SMEs have never audited who can access what
✅ Simple training and policy changes can dramatically reduce risk
✅ The goal is securing AI adoption, not avoiding it

Microsoft has built security into Copilot but, like any powerful tool, it needs to be deployed thoughtfully. The businesses getting the most value are those taking a strategic approach to AI security from day one.

#AIsecurity #MicrosoftCopilot #CyberSecurity #SME #AI

https://www.paulreynolds.uk/ai-at-work/

Planning Cyber Essentials Plus assessment? Here's why you should feel confident, not anxious.

Here's what most business leaders don't realize: your assessor isn't there to catch you out—they're there to validate the good security work you've already done.

What really happens during CE+ assessments:

✅ External vulnerability scanning (checking your digital front door)
✅ Credentialed device scanning (validating your internal housekeeping)
✅ Browser and email security verification
✅ Cloud MFA and admin access reviews
✅ Mobile device management checks

The businesses that excel? They're the ones who've treated cybersecurity as an ongoing practice, not a one-time checklist exercise.

Your CE+ certification isn't just compliance - it's competitive advantage. In a world where data breaches make headlines daily, it's tangible proof that you take digital security seriously.

I've created a comprehensive video guide walking through exactly what to expect, removing the mystery and replacing anxiety with confidence - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Ok4EfKgzY

Plus, there's a detailed write up on my website covering every aspect of the assessment process.

Ready to transform your CE+ assessment from something daunting into something empowering?

#CyberEssentialsPlus #CyberSecurity #BusinessSecurity #CE+ #DigitalConfidence

RANSOMWARE REALITY CHECK

With big names in the news every week, it may still surprise you to hear that 19 ransomware attacks happen EVERY SECOND. Average cost per attack: $1.85M Projected annual damage by 2031: $275B!

Your organization needs MORE than hope—it needs a bulletproof defence strategy.

My latest article + video breaks down the 3 things that actually stop ransomware:

✅ Immutable backups (attackers can't touch these)
✅ Multi-factor authentication everywhere
✅ "Prepare to fail" incident response planning

Don't wait until you're the next headline.

📖 Full article: "Ransomware Defence for Modern Organisations" 🎥 Watch the companion video for actionable steps 🔗 https://paulreynolds.uk/ransomware-defence-for-modern-organisations/

#RansomwareDefence #CyberSecurity #PrepareForCyberAttack #CyberResilience #DataProtection

What's your biggest ransomware concern?

Healthcare practices are under cyber siege.

Ransomware, phishing, stolen records… and all while trying to run a clinic, not a data centre.

The reality? Patient records are gold to attackers. But most GP surgeries, dental clinics, and therapists don’t have enterprise IT teams or endless budgets.

✅ MFA
✅ Backups
✅ Staff training
✅ A risk-based plan
✅ A bit of guidance from someone who gets it

You can do cybersecurity without breaking the bank – and without losing focus on care.

Need help getting there? I speak fluent “healthcare on a budget.” Let’s talk 👽

https://paulreynolds.uk/cybersecurity-for-healthcare-providers/

#CyberSecurity #HealthcareIT #DSPToolkit #GPPractices #CyberEssentials #RiskManagement #YDC #PatientData #SmallBusinessSecurity

NIS2: It’s not just an EU thing.

A quiet shift in cybersecurity regulation is about to make noise – and UK businesses need to pay attention.

NIS2 massively expands the original NIS Directive. More sectors. More requirements. More pressure on leadership to actually care about cyber risk.

If your business touches the EU (or works with suppliers who do), it could be in scope – even if you’re based in the UK. And even if it’s not mandatory, aligning with NIS2 is quickly becoming a mark of credibility.

🔒 Risk-based security
⏱ Rapid incident reporting
🔗 Supply chain accountability
📈 Leadership-level responsibility

Not sure if you’re affected? Want to get ahead of the game? Let’s talk.

Compliance is moving fast. I’ll help you keep up 👽

https://paulreynolds.uk/nis2-compliance/

#NIS2 #CyberSecurity #Compliance #RiskManagement #SupplyChainSecurity #YDC #CyberEssentials #ISO27001 #Leadership

This week I've been:

✅ Finalising a strategic partnership with a vulnerability assessment company
✅ Creating video-based security training that people actually want to watch
✅ Conducting Cyber Essentials assessments (yes, they still catch critical gaps!)
✅ Providing technical leadership to growing companies
✅ Deep-diving into AWS security best practices

Cybersecurity isn't just about the latest tools or threats – it's about building security into the fabric of how organisations operate.

The manufacturing client who was eager to learn despite having basic gaps impressed me more than the financial services firm with all the right tools but inconsistent processes.

Security culture > Security technology. Every time.

Three things that stood out this week:

🎯 Cyber Essentials still matters – Even "basic" frameworks catch significant vulnerabilities when properly implemented
🎥 Training works when it's human – Scenario-based learning beats policy recitation every single time
☁️ "Security as code" is the future – Treating security configurations with the same rigor as application code

The variety in this field never stops amazing me. In five days I touched business development, content creation, regulatory compliance, technical consulting, and professional development. Each area informed the others in ways that wouldn't be possible in a more specialised role.

Question for my network: What's been the most surprising security challenge you've encountered recently? I'm always curious about the problems others are solving.

Full weekly roundup here: https://paulreynolds.uk/weekly-roundup-partnership-training-and-cloud-security/

#CyberSecurity #InfoSec #SecurityLeadership #CyberEssentials #CloudSecurity #SecurityTraining

When a data breach hits the headlines, it always feels distant. Big companies, faraway places, lots of numbers - but no real context.

What if you could see cyber risk happening right around you? In your town. In your industry. Today.
That question kicked off the wild ride that became BreachMap. I built a tool that maps real-world breaches by location and sector - It visualises risk in ways everyone can understand - whether you're a solopreneur, small business, an MSP, or a security pro.
It gives your security awareness local relevance, not just generic noise. It started as a curiosity project, but turned in to something I needed to finish.

BreachMap v1 is now live @ https://www.breachmap.app

Big love to everyone who’s helped test, build, and break it along the way.

This is just the beginning.

#BreachMap #CyberSecurity #StartupJourney #Infosec #DataBreach #ThreatIntelligence #MSP #HumanSecurity #SecurityAwareness #BuiltInPublic

🤖 AI is revolutionising everything it seems - but are you ready for the risks it brings? 🤖

I’ve been working with AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT, as well as building an innovative risk management platform which boasts a responsible and proportionate use of AI to enhance human endeavour, rather than seeking to mimic or replace it.

AI is transforming how we work, but it also exposes us to new risks. In my latest article, I outline the YDC approach to managing AI cybersecurity risks - from validation processes to risk assessments, and share my thoughts on how we can strike the balance between leveraging AI's potential and safeguarding our systems.

Interested? Check it out here - https://paulreynolds.uk/cybersecurity-ai-risks/

YDC keep pushing the boundaries of innovation, embracing AI, while keeping security on point.

#Cybersecurity #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AICybersecurityRisks #DataProtection #Innovation #TechLeadership #RiskManagement
#FutureOfWork #DigitalSecurity #SecureAI

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations operate, offering cost reductions, enhanced availability, and unprecedented collaboration.

Securing cloud applications now requires a shift from traditional infrastructure controls to more comprehensive measures, ensuring applications are secure by design.

Find out more about application policies, toolsets, and monitoring solutions to protect against threats here!

https://www.blackchili.co.uk/cloud-application-security/

#cloudsecurity #cloudcomputing #applicationsecurity #cybersecurity #cloudapplications

Say hi to our new content creator, Alex Reynolds. A kid-coder brings us a guide to Internet safety for kids:

https://www.blackchili.co.uk/cyber-security-for-kids-by-a-kid/

#internetsafety #staysafeonline #kidswhocode #cyberawareness #proudparents

@anderseknert well... a slight disagreement over what level of reuse was permitted when providing collateral for a well known security company.

It was 'fun' 🤣. I rewrote a bit to save the aggravation. And maybe you're right - if you don't see me again, you'll know what happened!

@anderseknert - fixed it 😁👍

PowerShell is a powerful tool that can automate tasks and help you manage your systems more efficiently.

In this Cyber Zone article, we provide examples of PowerShell, and explanations to help you start building your own toolkit!

https://www.blackchili.co.uk/powershell-security-tools/

#cybersecurity #securitytools #powershell #automation

After a bit of a faff with the legal department, an updated article on OPA and Rego here:

https://www.blackchili.co.uk/your-first-opa-policy/

#opa #rego #securitypolicy #automation

The life of the cyber ghostwriter is not always a happy one. I'm used to seeing my work credited to an organisation or 'team', but today was the first time I saw the smiling face of a named person as the author of something I wrote.

Something pretty good that took time and, more importantly, many years of expertise in the field in question to create.

Thats the job, but I'm much more gutted about it than I should be.

#CyberWriter #recognition #lifegivesyoulemons

Paul Reynolds :verified: boosted:

Look mom, I’m in the news! After having talked to @BPariseau about #OpenTofu and the #HashiCorp #Terraform drama yesterday. I’m sure we’ll get to read much more on this in the near future, so make sure to follow her!

https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/news/366552676/Linux-Foundation-ups-ante-on-HashiCorp-hosts-Terraform-fork

An afternoon spent polishing an ISMS ready for a customer audit. ISO27001 life.

#isms #iso27001 #iso27001certification #infosec #governance