What happens when you invite a cybersecurity expert on your podcast… and the power goes out?

In this episode, Mark Jones chats with Chris Cooper, founder of Rougemont Security, about why cybersecurity isn’t just for big corporations anymore — and how small businesses (and even households) can take simple steps to stay protected.

Chris has over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity across industries from healthcare to aviation. He shares practical advice, his entrepreneurial journey, and a few surprising thoughts about AI, quantum computing, and Back to the Future!

• ⚡ The “spooky” start to the interview (and why power cuts aren’t always a cyber attack!)
• 🔐 Why every business — big or small — needs a cybersecurity plan
• 🧰 The basic hygiene steps that protect most companies from disaster
• 💡 The truth about ransomware and why so many SMEs never recover
• 🧠 How to keep cybersecurity front of mind all year round
• 🚀 Chris’s entrepreneurial leap: from corporate cybersecurity to founding Rouge One Security
• 💬 His advice to his younger self — and to any business leader ready to take the leap
• 🪄 Why Richard Branson and Tim Berners-Lee are his business heroes
• 🤖 The coming impact of AI and quantum computing on how we secure data
• 🎬 Plus: Chris’s love for Back to the Future, his eclectic music tastes, and what helps him sleep at night!

• 52% of businesses experience a cybersecurity incident each year — and SMEs are often hit hardest.
• Start with the basics: strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date.
• Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing process that evolves as technology changes.
• Understanding your risks is the first step to real protection.

Chris Cooper is the founder of Rougemont Security — an independent cybersecurity consultancy helping small and medium businesses protect themselves from digital threats.

Follow Chris on LinkedIn for insightful, jargon-free posts about cybersecurity, technology, and leadership.