Explaining technology to the people who buy it
A selection of my work: technical analysis, a research brief, thought leadership sample, published journalism and books, newsletters, eLearning course samples, case studies, and other work including scripts, a blog post, microlearning, and a brochure.
It all comes from the same place: explaining cybersecurity and AI from the point of view of the people who buy it and use it, so they can see what it means for them.
Thought-leadership sample
🔹What the dashboard can’t see. A thought-leadership piece on business intelligence that shows how I build an argument from a single idea and keep a business reader interested.
Technical analysis samples – before and after
Two examples of taking dense technical material and turning it into something a business reader can act on.
🔹Before and After: Business Intelligence. The Before shows technical notes on this topic, including data architecture, data processing, access and governance, and analytics and performance.
The After shows the notes turned into a one-page brief for business leaders, so they can get up to speed quickly.
🔹Before and After: Zero Trust. The Before shows technical notes on this topic, including Identity and Access Management (IAM), Network Segmentation, Continuous Monitoring, Implementation Requirements, and Technical Benefits.
The After turns those notes into a one-page brief for business leaders, so they can see what’s at stake and the key points they need to know.
Research brief sample
🔹The Recovery Gap. An 8-page research brief on business continuity in cybersecurity showing how I find the story in the data and build it into something a senior-level business reader will finish.
Built from the DSIT Cyber Security Breaches Survey and a Fastly/Sapio study of 1,800 IT decision-makers, with each figure traced to its source.
Published journalism and books
🔹Twenty years of B2B technology journalism, with credits including:
- The Times, The Independent, StrategicRISK Europe
- Trade publications across hospitality, retail, risk management, education, and security
- BBC TV and radio (Newsnight, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live)
- 14 published books on technology and history
I’ve also written for trade publications in shipping, paints and coatings, and EU legislation, among others.
Newsletter samples
🔹Tech Security Insights. A two-page customer newsletter including an article (how to protect your AI), practical tips (your human firewall and the importance of regular digital cleanups) and a true tall story (hackers hacking hackers. Don’t try and say that too quickly!)
🔹Cybersecurity Talk. A two-page customer newsletter. Two articles: Beyond the Obvious suggests doing the security equivalent of looking down the back of the sofa to find missing devices on your network. The Security Risks of Climate Change looks at how extreme weather events can create new openings for threat actors.
eLearning course samples
🔹Hiding in Plain Sight: Drive-by Malware. Help Tom as hackers try three methods to access his devices. Each scenario has three choices, with incorrect choices giving you easy-to-follow advice to help prevent your device from being compromised.
🔹 What’s your password personality? A quiz-based approach to finding out what type of password personality you are. You can then learn how to create passwords that work for you. Rather than ones that you’ll never remember.
🔹Phone Phishing Scams. Use the phone screen to learn about five sneaky tactics hackers use to get access to mobile phones. Also included is a “why this works” option that explains how hackers use our brains against us.
Case studies – worked samples
🔹Hybrid Working Security. A two-page case study looking at how to help secure staff working off-site, including quotes from the company and customer.
🔹Legacy Data. A two-page case study looking at how a company consolidated data and uncovered hidden opportunities and a new competitive advantage. Includes quotes from the customer and company.
🔹 AI-Driven Business Intelligence Tools. A two-page case study looking at how a small hotel group used AI to turn guest data into new revenue streams.
Other work
Microlearning
🔹Three 90-second microlearning videos on phishing scams. These cover three different real-life scenarios: hackers exploiting a major event, an employee working from home who needs to access sensitive information, and a compromised banking login.
Blog
🔹Five Ways to Boost Your IoT Security. A practical blog post to help executive audiences understand where threats could be hiding on their network and systems.
Scripts:
🔹90-second script for a Security Operations Centre service, including video titles, voice-over, and caption scripts.
🔹30-second script for a PPC (pay-per-click) service, including titles, links to videos, voice-over and caption scripts.
Brochure:
🔹4-page introduction and capability brochure for a cybersecurity services company, 2,300 words.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.