Cyber threats continue to evolve at an alarming rate, and for small to medium businesses without dedicated security teams, the landscape can feel overwhelming. Mercury IT's Chief Information Security Officer, Chris Haigh, cuts through the complexity to deliver practical guidance that business owners can immediately implement to protect their operations.

The conversation opens with a frank discussion about why cybersecurity feels so complicated for smaller enterprises. Chris explains how the challenge isn't necessarily any single security element, but rather understanding how multiple tools, policies, and training programs fit together to create comprehensive protection. He shares how managed service providers can bundle these solutions to match varying budgets while removing the burden of managing dozens of vendors independently.

Ransomware emerges as the most disruptive threat currently facing businesses of all sizes. Chris recounts a revealing case study where proper preparation allowed a client to recover within 24 hours, while less prepared businesses suffered two weeks of downtime following similar attacks. "Every day is money," he reminds listeners, highlighting how preparation dramatically reduces both financial and operational impact.

The most compelling insights focus on the shift toward cyber resilience rather than just prevention. Chris advocates for detailed incident response planning and regular tabletop exercises that simulate attacks, allowing teams to practice their responses before a real crisis occurs. His approach to communication during breaches is particularly valuable, emphasising speed, honesty, and proactive messaging to preserve customer trust.

Perhaps most surprising is the revelation that many small businesses remain unaware of their compliance obligations under Australia's Notifiable Data Breach scheme and recent ransomware payment disclosure laws. With regulators increasingly taking action against organisations for cybersecurity failures, understanding these requirements has never been more important.

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn to receive his exclusive questionnaire for evaluating your IT provider's security capabilities and start strengthening your business's cyber defences today.