Threat Intel & Security Guides
Breach breakdowns, practical advice, and actionable security tips for small business.
HIPAA Fines for Small Practices: What OCR Enforcement Actually Looks Like in 2026
Can a small practice get fined for HIPAA violations? Yes. Real OCR settlements from $10,000 up, the 2026 penalty tiers, and the one control regulators check first.
CMMC External Service Provider Requirements: Does Your MSP Need to Be Certified?
Your MSP does not need its own CMMC certification, but its services get assessed inside your assessment. What 32 CFR 170 requires of ESPs, CSPs, and the contractors who hire them.
NIST 800-171 Implementation Cost: The Itemized Breakdown for Small Defense Contractors
DoD's CMMC cost estimates put implementation at zero because the rule treats NIST 800-171 as already done. Here is the itemized bill for the readiness work, and which line items a small contractor can build in-house.
NIST 800-171 Rev 2 or Rev 3 for CMMC? What the July 2026 Interim Rule Changes
DoD's regulatory agenda shows an interim final rule this month setting the NIST 800-171 Rev 3 transition deadline. Here is what changes for CMMC Level 2, and why your assessment baseline is still Rev 2.
AI Acceptable Use Policy: What a Small Business Actually Needs in 2026
What an AI acceptable use policy must cover for a small business: approved tools, four data classes, incident reporting, and a one-session rollout plan.
CMMC Level 2 Self-Assessment: Requirements, Who Qualifies, and What Changes on November 10
CMMC Level 2 (Self) is appearing in live DoD solicitations right now, but you do not get to choose it. What 32 CFR 170.16 actually requires, how DFARS 252.204-7025 assigns your path, and why the window narrows after November 10, 2026.
Real Estate Wire Fraud: The $275 Million Problem Hitting Closings in 2026
FBI IC3 data shows real estate wire fraud cost $275.1M in 2025. How the scam works at closing, who is liable, and the call-back protocol that stops it.
CMMC Annual Affirmation Requirements: How Often, How to Submit, and What Happens If You Skip It
CMMC affirmations are due after every assessment, at POA&M closeout, and annually in SPRS. The full cycle under 32 CFR 170.22, the submission mechanics, and the award consequences under DFARS 252.204-7021.
AI Agent Security Risks: What Small Firms Must Check Before Agents Touch Client Data
AI agents inherit every permission of the account that runs them. What a small law firm, clinic, or CPA practice needs to check before connecting an agent to email, files, and client data, plus what belongs in an AI acceptable use policy.