Raees Sayed

Do YOU have a plan in your business to deal with a cyber attack❓ Do YOU have a 'playbook' for steps to be taken if a disgruntled employee or customer decides to become malicious with your website❓ Because whilst big business is at risk from major hacking and ransom, SME's are also at risk. In her article in today's The Times, Tracey Boles shared the alarming statistic that: 😮4 in 10 businesses have experienced a cyber attack in the last 12 months 😬Only 27% of big businesses have someone on their board responsible for cybersecurity. This is shocking. And it makes me wonder if YOU are prepared to take action the moment your business is hacked? Because as the old adage goes: Prepare to fail. Don't fail to prepare. So identify: ✅A specialist company to help you ✅What your insurance expects you to have in place ✅Who owns this process internally? And then communicate this clearly to your team with a regularly updated PHYSICAL pack that everyone has - because if you shut down all your systems.... ✅Time to run a quick check list.. BUY WOMEN BUILT Female Founders Rise Boards are asleep in cyberspace and the risks are mounting https://lnkd.in/dSdBCUyz

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Will this mean business owners create the 25th hour in the day to improve? The National Cyber Security Centre have launched a Cyber Action Toolkit for Micro and SME Businesses, its great - clear direction and good information. I'm nervous because: 🫥 It's similar to Cyber Essentials (CE) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+). Despite them being great initiatives (for the target organisations) many companies don't have the time nor expertise to 'do the do' with everything else going on. 😵‍💫 Some of the actions are listed as 5-10 mins BUT if you aren't technical you will need to read 2-3 pages of instructions to do 1 of many actions. That alone is more than 10 mins - then you need to do the do. 🤩 There is no incentive to engage. I know there is the threat of an incident but that is no different today than yesterday. Until the initiative is able to challenge or incentivise the business owners to make it a priority they are unlikely to proactively take the to take the first step. As an example CE and CE+ are now requirements to trade for many supply chains, what is the equivalent here? Hopefully the uptake and completion of the tool will be reported on in their 2026 annual report. 🤞 #sme #smecyber #smeuk #cyber #businessresilience #infosec #ncscuk

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A good listen for anyone in the food & beverage sector thinking about the developing cyber risk landscape, the practical steps you can take to manage the risks, and the implications for your cyber insurance coverage.

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Are you an estate agent in the South West? I’ve got some good news for you… I’ve been looking into estate agents across the local area this week, and one thing that really stood out to me is how uncertain many are when it comes to cybersecurity. When you think about it, estate agents handle huge amounts of sensitive information every single day - from client ID documents and proof of funds, to contracts, bank details, and solicitor correspondence. It’s a goldmine for cyber criminals. Believe it or not, the smaller the business, the bigger the risk can often be. Yet, many agencies still don’t have even the basic controls in place. We’re seeing a rise in: ⚠️ Phishing emails that look like solicitor communications ⚠️ Payment diversion scams tricking buyers into sending deposits to fake accounts ⚠️ Ransomware attacks locking critical data until a fee is paid The impact can be devastating - both financially and reputationally. That’s why frameworks like: ✅ Cyber Essentials – securing the basics ✅ Penetration Testing – identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do ✅ PCI DSS – protecting card and payment data ✅ ISO 27001 – embedding strong information security practices …are no longer optional. They’re essential. Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech firms; it’s for any business handling personal or financial data - and estate agents are right in that bracket. The property market is built on trust, and protecting client data is one of the most powerful ways to uphold it. If you’re an estate agent and not sure where your current security posture stands - let's have a chat, I'm happy to discuss pathways with no obligations. A conversation is a solid first step toward better protection, compliance, and client confidence. #CyberSecurity #EstateAgents #CyberEssentials #ISO27001 #PCIDSS #PenTesting #DataProtection #BusinessTrust

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Episode 8: First 5–10 Enquiries Without Ranking on Google Roofing businesses don’t need top rankings to get their first enquiries. They need trust, clarity, and the right local signals. This episode explains how new roofers can generate enquiries before ranking, and why ignoring this phase costs businesses £50k–£150k per year. Episode 8 of the Roofer Internet Domination Series. Check the comment to get in touch. #RoofingSEO #LocalSEO #RoofingBusiness #GoogleBusinessProfile #shandigitalmarketing

Cold Calling for SME's is the best route to market, especially in the B2B world! I post about getting called a retard, its gets 100,000 impressions. I post about Cyber Security it gets 600 impressions. The best way to tell strangers about how great you are and the value you offer is by picking up the phone. 5.7 Million SME's in the UK, some of them need what you're selling. #sales #coldcalling

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🚨 UK and allies have exposed a Russian intelligence campaign targeting Western logistics and technology organisations 🚨 https://lnkd.in/ehpDackD National Cyber Security Centre along with the USA and other allies have issued an advisory urging organisations to take IMMEDIATE action to defend themselves against the Russian military unit 26165—commonly known in the cybersecurity community as APT28, Fancy Bear, Forest Blizzard, BlueDelta, and a variety of other identifiers. The full report can be found here (https://lnkd.in/eNYTNpjm) and includes some recommended security mitigations to combat this threat. #cyberwarfare #cyberthreat #infosec #cybersecurity

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Something interesting is happening with the Octopus Cyber Conference on 18 March at The Barnsdale. The room is filling with a really diverse mix of East Midlands businesses. We now have manufacturers, solicitors, financial advisers, marketing agencies, local organisations and growing SMEs joining us for the day. Some are companies with 80+ employees, others are small business owners wearing multiple hats. But they all share the same challenge: Understanding the real cyber risks facing businesses in 2026 and how to deal with them without drowning in technical jargon. That’s exactly what this event is about. No product pitches. No scare tactics. Just practical conversations around: • Cyber risk affecting UK organisations • Human risk and phishing • Email security & DMARC • The growing challenge of AI governance in businesses And a room full of business leaders sharing experiences. If you're a business owner, director or decision-maker in the East Midlands, you’d be very welcome to join us. 📍 The Barnsdale, Rutland 📅 18 March 🎟 Free to attend (lunch included) Register here: https://lnkd.in/eatA9J_T

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Really excited to share that Adversify are now accredited by CREST to provide penetration testing services. Here are some of the reasons why we’re different: ▪️Attack surface-led penetration testing. ▪️Engagements that are bespoke to your organisation. ▪️Help gauge the level of risk your organisation faces from assessed attack surfaces. ▪️Discover attack paths through the assessed environment.    ▪️Fixed project fees, focused on outcomes and not time. And these are only some of them! 😅 Looking to switch things up with your offensive security testing program? Give us a shout 🔥 Don’t assume. Test.

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 Video Surveillance or what is often referred to as CCTV has evolved far beyond the days when it simply recorded grainy video that might be reviewed later. Back then, it was all pretty straightforward: limited storage, a handful of screens, and someone monitoring live footage, hoping not to miss anything important. Now? Things have completely changed. In smart cities, CCTV acts as a sharp, connected extension of the city’s intelligence. Modern cameras don’t just record; they process and analyze. Using high-definition video, cloud storage, and AI, these systems detect unusual activity, read license plates, monitor traffic, and assist emergency teams, all in real time. They are no longer just archiving footage; they’re actively boosting safety and making sure things run efficiently. What stands out is how CCTV integrates into the broader system. The cameras link up with citywide data networks: connected to traffic management, public transit, and security hubs. So when incidents occur, officials can respond quickly and make informed decisions using up-to-the-minute information. As cities expand and tech advances, Video Surveillance is no longer just about catching criminals. It has become a crucial part of how cities protect themselves, move efficiently, and operate more intelligently.

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Think PPC is just for big brands with deep pockets? Think again. Most UK businesses in 2025 are spending anywhere from £500 to £10,000 a month on pay-per-click—and the real secret? It’s not about how much you spend, but how wisely you allocate every pound. Imagine you’re a start-up with a tight budget. In just a few moments, you’ll see how precision targeting and smart keyword choices can stretch your spend further than you thought possible. The article breaks down: - Why industry competition can make or break your budget - How agency fees and pricing models really work - The hidden costs most advertisers overlook - What separates a profitable campaign from a money pit Here’s my take: This guide genuinely helps businesses get better results—if you’re willing to dig into the details and adapt. Yes, Google and Facebook profit, but the real winners are those who treat PPC as an investment, not a gamble. Curious how your business stacks up? Take a look at the full breakdown and see where your budget could go further this year: https://lnkd.in/ePcGCQwB #PPC #DigitalMarketing #UKBusiness #Advertising #MarketingStrategy

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