Guides
Cyber security, in plain English.
Practical guides for UK businesses, written by Ashley Adkins. What to do when something goes wrong, and how to stop it happening in the first place.
Dealing with a cyber incident right now? Treat it as an emergency: start with the incident guides or call 03333 401 999.
Start with your situation
Three routes in, each in the order to read them.
Something has gone wrong
A cyber incident is happening now
- Business email hacked? Here's what to do
- Ransomware attack? What to do in the first hour
- Paid a fake invoice or changed bank details
- Do I need to report a data breach to the ICO?
A customer has asked
You need a certificate to win work
- Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001: which one do you need?
- How much does Cyber Essentials cost?
- Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus?
- How much does ISO 27001 cost, and how long?
Nothing's wrong, yet
You want fewer nasty surprises
- How to turn on MFA for your whole business
- Would your backups actually save you?
- How to set up DMARC on Microsoft 365 and Google
- Free email security checker
- Free PHP2Shell website checker
Latest
New guides and news most weekdays.
All guides
Newest first.
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How to answer a customer security questionnaire
What they really ask, how to answer honestly and fast, and the answers that cause trouble later. -
Would your backups actually save you? How to check
Why backups fail when you need them, what Microsoft 365 really keeps, and a six-step check for this afternoon. -
Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001: which one do you need?
What each one proves, cost and time, who asks for which, and the order to do them in. -
How to turn on MFA for your whole business
Which accounts, which method, the Microsoft 365 and Google settings, and the Cyber Essentials rule. -
Do I need to report a data breach to the ICO?
The 72-hour rule, how to decide, what to tell people, and who else to call. -
Ransomware attack? What to do in the first hour
Containing the attack, protecting your backups, whether to pay, and who you need to tell. -
Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus?
The difference, what the Plus audit tests, which you need, and a checklist for the 2026 requirements. -
How much does ISO 27001 cost, and how long does it take?
Typical UK costs and timelines, with three worked examples. -
How to set up DMARC on Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
SPF, DKIM and DMARC step by step, in stages, so your own email keeps arriving. -
Business email hacked? Here's what to do
The first hour after a Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace account is taken over, and the hidden changes attackers leave behind. -
How to spot a fake invoice or bank detail change
How invoice fraud works, the warning signs, and what to do if you've already paid. -
How much does Cyber Essentials cost?
The 2026 certification fees, and the cost of getting ready.
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or try the news. Can't find it? Ask Ashley and it might become the next guide: 03333 401 999.
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Happy to talk it through.