Cyberattacks destroy small businesses every day — but what if cybersecurity was finally attainable? Small business cybersecurity, AI risk management, and digital trust — this episode reveals how SMBs can finally achieve attainable cyber defense through smarter IT foundations and human-first strategies.

In this episode of The Digital Shift, we sit down with Sam van Dalen, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Attainable Security, a firm redefining cybersecurity for small and medium businesses. With over a decade of IT and cybersecurity experience, Sam’s mission is simple: protect the backbone of the economy — small business owners — from digital collapse.

From ransomware stories to the role of AI in modern defense, Sam shares real-world strategies for building trust, improving IT foundations, and developing responsible AI policies. He also reveals how their Cybersecurity Posture Assessment gives SMBs a clear roadmap to protection and why doing right by others drives every decision they make.

Key highlights from this episode:

🧠 Why most SMBs aren’t ready for cybersecurity until their IT is fixed

⚠ 60% of small businesses close within 6 months after a breach

🤖 The hidden dangers of AI misuse and shadow IT

📈 Building trust with skeptical clients through education and transparency

🛡 The “IT-first” approach to long-term cyber resilience

💌 Dungeon Masters Guide to Digital Defense — creative cybersecurity awareness done right

If you’re a small business owner, IT professional, or cybersecurity consultant, this episode will transform how you think about cyber readiness, AI risk, and trust-based growth.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to The Digital Shift for more conversations at the edge of innovation, technology, and business.

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🧑 Today’s Guest Information:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtheitguy/

Website: https://www.attainablesecurity.io/

⏱ Timestamps

00:00:00 – Introduction & Attainable Security Mission

00:08:10 – Why SMBs Struggle Most After Cyberattacks

00:09:54 – Day-to-Day of Running a Two-Person Cyber Firm

00:16:00 – Using LinkedIn to Build Local Cyber Awareness

00:21:25 – AI Hype vs. Cybersecurity Hygiene

00:22:22 – AI Policies & Shadow IT Controls

00:24:22 – Cybersecurity Posture Assessment Overview

00:27:00 – Delivering SMB-Focused Security Roadmaps

00:30:20 – Integrity & “Do Right By Others” Culture

00:31:55 – Why IT Foundations Come Before Cyber Maturity

00:33:09 – Blending IT & Security for SMB Readiness

00:34:06 – Overcoming Skepticism & Building Trust

00:35:15 – Educational Content & Value-First Strategy

00:37:06 – Dungeon Masters Guide to Digital Defense

00:41:59 – AI-Generated Risks & Compliance Blind Spots

00:44:30 – Responsible AI Adoption Vision

00:51:00 – Geographic Focus: Florida, Texas & Nationwide Reach

00:54:01 – Special Discount Offer for Podcast Listeners

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