Cybersecurity advice is everywhere — frameworks, standards, best practices, expert opinions — enough PDFs to last you the rest of the year. But for small and mid-sized businesses, the real question isn't "What guidance exists?" It's "What should we actually do that lowers our chances of having a really bad cyber day?" If you've ever looked at a massive cybersecurity framework and thought, "This feels like studying for a final exam I didn't sign up for," you're not alone. That's where CISA's updated Cybersecurity Performance Goals (Version 2.0) come in. Designed to be practical, prioritized, and actually usable, this streamlined approach may be the clearest cybersecurity foundation SMBs have seen yet. In this episode, we break down what changed, why it matters, and how to use it.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/548

What happens when the company responsible for protecting everyone else becomes the one that gets hacked? Spoiler alert: it's not just their problem. This episode dives into the uncomfortable reality that when an IT provider gets hit, the ripple effects can slam into hundreds, or even thousands, of businesses at once. From ransomware evolution to insider threats to the ever-growing AI wildcard, this conversation pulls back the curtain on why cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue… it's everyone's issue.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/547

Some things in life have a finish line. Cybersecurity is not one of them. There's no victory lap, no tape to break, and definitely no moment where you can say, "Cool, we're done here." This episode dives into why cybersecurity is a never-ending process, what regulators are really telling organizations through their guidance, and how the most common security failures still come down to the basics—patching, cleaning up old systems, and actually paying attention. If you've ever hoped you could "set it and forget it" with security, this conversation explains why that mindset is exactly what gets people into trouble.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/546

AI: the gift that keeps on glitching. While most folks are still marveling at how AI can write emails and fold laundry (okay, not quite yet), this episode pulls back the curtain on what happens when artificial intelligence stops being polite and starts getting dangerous. We're talking zombie agents, security holes big enough to drive a HIPAA violation through, and automated tools that might just be a little too eager to help. It's informative, a little terrifying, and more than a few chuckles along the way.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/545

You'd think the folks steering the cybersecurity ship would be the last ones to punch holes in the hull—but nope, even the pros trip over their own policies. In this episode, we dive headfirst into a cautionary tale where a CISO (yes, the security guy) admits to becoming the insider threat he warns others about. From skipping his own software vetting procedures to triggering network alarms like it's the 4th of July, this story is equal parts cringe and crucial. Strap in as we explore how even the most iron-clad experts are still deliciously human.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/544

Just because your smart fridge can order milk and your thermostat knows when you're chilly doesn't mean your home network is safe from cyber shenanigans. In this episode, we're roasting the myth that five-star Amazon reviews mean airtight security, dragging lazy VPN habits, and exposing how your toddler's tablet might be the real Trojan horse in your living room. From forgotten firmware to doorbells that moonlight as spies, we're pulling back the Wi-Fi curtain on all the ways your devices could be betraying you—with or without your permission.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/543

Ever wonder what happens when patient record requests are ignored, invoices go wild, and cybersecurity takes a coffee break? Spoiler: it ends with lawsuits, settlements, and a whole lot of legal back-and-forth. In this episode, we unpack a right of access case that dragged on longer than a season of courtroom drama, and then dive into the spaghetti mess of post-breach chaos - where class action lawsuits spring up like mushrooms and documentation (or lack thereof) can make or break you. If you thought the breach was the worst part… oh honey, it's just getting started.

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/542

Here's the deal: making predictions about 2026 is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. So instead of peering into a cloudy crystal ball, we're laying down some solid groundwork for planning ahead. We're talking AI governance, backup strategies that actually work (yes, tested ones), and why you should absolutely know if your vendor quietly stopped signing BAAs. Buckle up—it's a 2026 survival guide with fewer guesses and more "you got this."

More info at HelpMeWithHIPAA.com/541