"It's like going to the doctor and just closing your eyes and all your form, your intake forms, you're just checking off random boxes."

Welcome to another episode of the Business and Bytes Podcast! In this week’s episode, “Regulations or Regrets: The Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call for Small Biz,” hosts Emelio Mejia and John Hansman are joined by cybersecurity expert Ryan Miller to tackle one of the most pressing topics for today’s business owners: the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity regulations.

No one really enjoys talking about regulations, but as the guys point out, it’s a conversation that can no longer be ignored—especially with small businesses increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. From high-profile breaches at industry giants to ransomware attacks that have forced small companies out of business, the ripple effects of poor digital hygiene are real, immediate, and costly. The team breaks down why governments and insurance companies are getting tougher, what’s driving new compliance requirements, and how these changes are impacting everyone—from local realtors and CPAs to multi-state car dealerships.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! Emelio, John, and Ryan share real-world stories, practical checklists, and industry insights to help demystify what compliance looks like for small businesses. They talk through the benefits of taking a proactive approach—not just for meeting regulations or securing insurance, but for protecting your company’s reputation, reducing risk, and staying in business.

Whether you’re a two-person shop, a family-run business, or a growing company, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to safeguard your digital assets and avoid those cyber regrets. So pull up a chair, join the conversation, and find out how you can turn the tide on cyber threats—before it’s too late!

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00:00 Distributor Cyber Incident Affects Purchases

05:26 Understanding Cybersecurity's Business Impact

06:58 Incident Response: Good vs. Bad

12:46 "Regulating Small Businesses' Data Security"

13:27 One-Time Fee Disagreement

19:13 Small Business Regulatory Examples

21:35 Family Business Closure Due to PCI

23:26 "Benefits of Compliance Frameworks"

26:42 Comprehensive Data Breach Recovery Needs

31:16 Customized IT Solutions Explained

34:40 "Assess IT's Cybersecurity Commitment"

37:50 CFO's Cybersecurity Expectations

42:48 Cybersecurity Business Assessment

43:25 Ensure Compliance and Security