Threat Intel & Security Guides
Breach breakdowns, practical advice, and actionable security tips for small business.
CMMC Phase 2 Explained: What November 10, 2026 Actually Means for a Small Defense Contractor
November 10, 2026 starts CMMC Phase 2, but it isn't a universal deadline. Here's what it actually means for small defense contractors, and what to do now.
You Can Be CMMC-Ready and Still Lose the Contract: The C3PAO Scheduling Wall Facing Defense Contractors in 2026
Readiness is only half the CMMC Phase 2 deadline. With ~759 assessors for tens of thousands of contractors and booking 6 to 9 months out, the assessor's calendar is the deadline that decides your eligibility.
The CMMC Phase 2 Readiness Checklist: What Defense Contractors Need to Do Before November 10, 2026
Phase 2 of CMMC begins November 10, 2026, when DoD contracting officers can require Level 2 C3PAO certifications as a condition of award. The DOJ recovered $51.8M across eight cyber-related False Claims Act settlements in FY 2025 — a 233% increase. Here is the six-step readiness checklist defense contractors need to complete before the deadline.
The $2M Lesson From Vercel: How One AI Chrome Extension Became a Supply Chain Breach
On April 19, 2026, a single OAuth grant to an AI Chrome extension cost Vercel a $2M stolen database. Here's the shadow AI playbook every SMB needs to run this week.
What AI Is Actually Doing Inside Your Business — And Why It's a Security Problem
98% of organizations have employees using unauthorized AI tools. Shadow AI creates compliance risks for healthcare, legal, and accounting firms that most small businesses don't see coming.
Tax Season Is Cyberattack Season. Your CPA Firm Is the Target.
Microsoft tracked 29,000 phishing emails targeting accountants in a single day in February 2026. The IRS just flagged phishing as the #1 threat on their 2026 Dirty Dozen list. Here's what's happening and how to protect your firm right now.
Your AWS Bucket Is Probably Leaking. Here's How to Check in 10 Minutes.
IBM's 2026 X-Force report found misconfigured access controls are the #1 cloud attack entry point — up 44% year over year. AI tools now find your misconfigs faster than your team can patch them. Here's a quick audit checklist.
Ransomware Is Shutting Down Job Sites. Why Construction Is Now a Top Cyber Target.
Project files, payroll data, subcontractor records, bid documents — everything ransomware operators want is sitting on your network right now. IBM's 2026 report shows manufacturing and construction at the top of the target list for the fifth straight year.
Scammers Are Cloning Your Kid's Voice With 3 Seconds of Audio. Here's How to Protect Your Family.
AI voice cloning now requires just 3 seconds of audio — enough to clone a voice from a single TikTok or Instagram clip. Scammers are using it to fake kidnappings and extort families. Here's what parents need to know.