In this pivotal episode of UnHacked, hosts Justin Shelley and Mario Zaki deliver a sobering reality check for business owners: when it comes to cybersecurity, ignorance isn't bliss—it's business suicide.
The $180,000 Reality Check
The episode opens with a chilling but realistic scenario: a 60-employee manufacturing company gets hit with ransomware, resulting in four days of downtime and $180,000 in lost revenue. The devastating part? Six months earlier, their IT team recommended implementing multi-factor authentication, but leadership delayed the decision, saying they'd "do it next quarter."
This scenario isn't fiction—it's happening to businesses every day, and as Justin emphasizes, "I didn't know" won't save you from hackers, government fines, or lawsuits.
Why Business Owners Must Take the Wheel
Mario Zaki, CEO of Mazteck IT, shares eye-opening stories from his MSP practice, including clients with passwords literally taped to computer monitors and business owners who consciously choose to accept catastrophic risk rather than invest in basic security measures. These real-world examples highlight a crucial truth: as a business owner, cybersecurity isn't just your IT department's job—it's your responsibility.
Frameworks: Your Business Survival Roadmap
The hosts introduce their upcoming mini-series on cybersecurity governance, frameworks, and compliance, explaining how these aren't just bureaucratic exercises but essential decision-making tools. Whether your industry follows HIPAA, CMMC, or no specific regulations, having a framework helps you:
- Measure your current risk level
- Create a roadmap for improvement
- Make intelligent business decisions about risk tolerance
- Protect yourself legally when incidents occur
The Multi-Layer Security Reality
Many business owners think enabling multi-factor authentication on Microsoft 365 means they're protected. Mario sets the record straight: MFA is needed on multiple levels—VPNs, servers, workstations, banking systems, and more. It's not one-and-done; it's an ongoing, comprehensive approach.
The Assessment Advantage
Both hosts emphasize that cybersecurity assessments aren't about finding every possible vulnerability—they're about understanding your risk and making informed decisions. As Justin explains, some businesses may consciously choose to accept higher risk based on their circumstances, but the key is making that choice with full knowledge of the consequences.
Your Next Steps
This episode launches a detailed exploration of cybersecurity fundamentals that every business owner needs to understand. Whether you're managing your own IT or working with a provider, you need to know enough to hold them accountable and make intelligent decisions about your business's future.
Don't wait until you're the next ransomware statistic. Understanding your cybersecurity risks isn't just good business—it's essential for survival in today's digital landscape.
Ready to assess your risk? Phoenix IT Advisors offers free cybersecurity assessments to help business owners understand exactly where they stand and what steps they need to take to protect their greatest asset: their business.