Northstar IT & Cyber Advisory
  • About
  • Services
  • How We Help
    • Cyber Incident Response
    • M&A IT Due Diligence
    • Cyber Essentials
    • IT Spend Review
    • Fast Growth IT
    • Compliance Advisory
    • IT Supplier Failure
    • AI Strategy & Readiness
    • AI Governance & Policy
    • See all nine situations →
    • ⭐ Free Guide: Ten Questions
  • Insights
  • Get in Touch
Northstar IT & Cyber Advisory
  • About
  • Services
  • How We Help
  • Cyber Incident Response
  • M&A IT Due Diligence
  • Cyber Essentials
  • IT Spend Review
  • Fast Growth IT
  • Compliance Advisory
  • IT Supplier Failure
  • AI Strategy & Readiness
  • AI Governance & Policy
  • See all nine situations →
  • Free Guide: Ten Questions
  • Insights
  • FAQs
Get in Touch
cs@northstaritadvisory.com 0333 577 1714
Insights & Commentary

Thinking on IT, cyber risk
and the SME landscape.

Practical perspectives on cybersecurity, IT governance, and commercial technology decisions — written for business leaders, not technical teams.

Cyber Risk

What Every UK SME Board Needs to Understand About Cyber Risk in 2026

Most SME boards are making cyber risk decisions without the information they need. Here's what the threat landscape actually looks like for UK small businesses - and what board-level oversight of cyber risk should involve.

12 May 2026 · 5 min read
Read more →
IT Spend

The Hidden Cost of Unmanaged IT: What Most SME Boards Don’t See

Duplicate licences. Auto-renewed contracts. Suppliers billing for services scoped three years ago. The waste in most SME IT stacks is significant - and almost entirely invisible without the right oversight.

16 April 2026 · 12 min read
Read more →
Cyber Risk

Cyber Essentials Is No Longer Optional for UK SME’s – Here’s What You Need to Know

Cyber Essentials has shifted from a government procurement badge to a baseline business requirement. Insurers, enterprise buyers and public sector clients are all asking for it - here's what changed and what to do about it.

16 April 2026 · 9 min read
Read more →
← Newer 1 2

Topics

  • AI & Technology
  • Cyber Essentials
  • Cyber Risk
  • GDPR & Data Protection
  • IT Governance
  • IT Spend
  • Leadership
  • Supplier Management

Have a question about IT or cyber risk in your business?

We are happy to have a no-obligation conversation.

Get in Touch

About the Author

Carl Spencer is the founder of Northstar IT and Cyber Advisory, with over 27 years experience in managed IT services, telecommunications, and cybersecurity.

© 2026 Northstar IT & Cyber Advisory Limited. Company registered in England & Wales. Company No. 17038464. About What We Do How We Help Insights FAQs Free Guide Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms & ConditionsAccessibility
Fractional IT & Cyber Leadership for UK SMBs & SMEs