Episode 49 - Chainalysis and Blockchain Intelligence
CyberVersed
In CyberVersed episode 49, is joined by , Regional Director, , and , Director, Investigations, NEMEA, Chainalysis. In this episode, we focus on the work of Chainalysis, looking at threats and opportunities and the broader topic of cryptoanalysis. Mandy begins by asking Logan about the current threats in Cyber and Fraud, and how the two are converging. Logan highlights the massive increase in illicit crypto transactions, moving from £59 billion in 2024 to £154 billion, making 2025 a record year for crypto activity. Logan also asks and answers whether the fact that almost all cybercrime...
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Episode 48 - The MSP Community (Part 2)
CyberVersed
CyberVersed episode 48 is Part 2 of our focus on the MSP Community. is joined by , Director of the , , VP, Cybersecurity Programs & Executive Director, ISAO, and , the newly appointed Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) Lead. Michelle shares her experience working with the MSP community. She believes they are essential to the ecosystem, where all stakeholders are focused on the same outcome: helping businesses avoid becoming victims of cybercrime. Michelle explains how she opened the conversation with MSPs to encourage them and explain why they are better equipped to support the SME community...
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Episode 47 - The MSP Community
CyberVersed
In CyberVersed episode 47 is joined by two National Ambassador representatives: , VP, Cybersecurity Programs & Executive Director, ISAO, and , Co-Founder and CEO of . The topic of discussion is 'The MSP community,' which is Part 1 of a focus on MSPs. It's a lively and engaging three-way discussion that provides excellent insights into the MSP community and why they are essential in the drive to make the SME community throughout the UK better prepared and ultimately more cyber resilient. To begin the discussion, Wayne and Jamie define an MSP and discuss how the industry has...
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Episode 46 - National Ambassador Focus - CyberSmart
CyberVersed
In CyberVersed episode 46 is joined by , Co-Founder and CEO of our newest National Ambassador, , a leading cyber security specialist. They are ideally suited as a National Ambassador company. With over 1,000 Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and over 6,000 SME customers in the UK, they are primed to act as an enabler to this crucial sector within the digital economy. In partnering with NCRCG, CyberSmart seeks to empower MSPs and SMEs around cyber resilience and signpost the support offered by the CRC Network and the national technical authority, NCSC. Jamie begins by explaining...
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Episode 45 - Exploring the Cyber PATH programme
CyberVersed
In CyberVersed episode 45, we explore and explain the programme. is joined by , Interim Head of Cyber PATH, Head of Cyber & Innovation, North East Business Resilience Centre, and , Talent Manager at Cyber PATH. Martin kicks off the discussion with a summary of what Cyber PATH is and what it does: essentially, it helps micro, small, and medium-sized organisations (SMOs) understand how they might be attacked and how to avoid it, while providing real-world experience for students exploring careers in cyber. Martin touches on the changes that have taken place since he started working...
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Episode 44 - Police CyberAlarm
CyberVersed
In episode 44, is joined by , Lead for NPCC National Cybercrime Team. Nick Bell is an award-winning security leader and former Detective Superintendent with 30 years in policing. He is a former CEO of the , where he launched the , , and to support SMEs and develop future cyber talent. Nick is experienced in leading investigations into cybercrime, digital forensics, fraud, and cryptocurrency, with a track record of building national programmes and partnerships. Nick was also named Outstanding Security Director of the Year 2023 at the Tackling Economic Crime Awards. Nick...
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Episode 43 - Deep Fakes
CyberVersed
In episode 43, is joined by , Security Product Marketing Lead at , to discuss the topical issue of Deep Fakes. In a light-hearted start to the conversation, Mandy opens by asking Joe how she can be sure that it really was him on the call. Joe responds by providing some great suggestions about how you can look out for specific audio or video cues to help spot fake audio and video. Joe goes on to explain the difference between Deep Fake and AI-generated content; in general terms, he explains that AI content is created from scratch for legitimate purposes, whereas Deep Fake is more about...
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Episode 42 - National Ambassador Focus - Mastercard
CyberVersed
In episode 42, is joined by , Manager, Cyber Threat Intelligence Partnerships at . Gordon begins by explaining his role and how his department serves as the first port of call for incidents of cybercrime or fraud. He describes how they operate proactively by analysing the threat landscape and reactively responding to incidents and emerging threats. Mandy is also keen to understand why Mastercard has earned a reputation for being approachable, particularly for SMEs. Gordon then highlights how 'doing the right thing' is a fundamental part of the company's culture; they are keen to make business...
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Episode 41 - National Ambassador Focus - CGI
CyberVersed
In episode 41, is joined by , Vice President, Health, Care and Life Sciences for UK & Australia at . It is a fascinating conversation that explores the role technology plays in healthcare and the associated risks as we adopt digital solutions to improve services and productivity. Justene outlines some of what we already know about the Government's 10-year healthcare plan; primarily that the following three essential elements will be the main focus: Helping people to stay in their home environment The role that data will play in helping the NHS workforce and the patients, and the...
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Episode 40 - Infosecurity Europe 2025 Review
CyberVersed
Episode 40 is a short podcast recorded when caught up with , Director of Security Technology and Strategy EMEA at , and , UK & I Executive Committee Member at (Global Technology Industry Association. Both attended (Infosecurity Europe 2025) from 2nd - 4th June and were kind enough to join Mandy for a quick chat about the conference. Richard and Paul provide a brief overview of their experience over the three days at ExCel London and what they took away from the conference. Both also discuss the value of being NCRCG National Ambassadors and how much they are...
info_outlineIn CyberVersed episode 47 Mandy Haeburn-Little is joined by two National Ambassador representatives: Wayne Selk, VP, Cybersecurity Programs & Executive Director, GTIA ISAO, and Jamie Akhtar, Co-Founder and CEO of CyberSmart. The topic of discussion is 'The MSP community,' which is Part 1 of a focus on MSPs.
It's a lively and engaging three-way discussion that provides excellent insights into the MSP community and why they are essential in the drive to make the SME community throughout the UK better prepared and ultimately more cyber resilient.
To begin the discussion, Wayne and Jamie define an MSP and discuss how the industry has developed in recent years from a 'Break-Fix' model to an essential provider of managed services to most businesses. Both Jamie and Wayne reinforce the pivotal role MSPs play in improving the cyber resilience of SMEs, explaining why they agree they are the key to greater protection for the SME community.
They chat about regulation and what they consider the best way to develop the MSP community going forward to ensure SMEs receive the best possible service from their providers.
Jamie provides insight into what their partners are telling them about their clients' attitude towards cybersecurity and shares some of the reasons cyber is not at the top of their list of priorities. Both then discuss the challenges of how cyber is presented and the need to reset the conversation around 'the why' rather than the technology. Wayne explains why he believes it should be much more about explaining business risk to business owners and how this approach is proving to be a revenue driver among their members.
Jamie also touches on what SMEs want and why MSPs must deliver solutions that provide complete cyber confidence.
Mandy then guides the conversation to 'two-way communication' and the efforts both organisations are making to improve the sharing of intel to and from the SME community. Wayne provides a great analogy to explain why everyone needs to share their piece of the jigsaw to see the whole picture. Jamie then reinforces that the MSPs are an essential element in completing the picture.
The conversation then moves on to the role that the CRC Network play in delivering the message to the SME community and why the National Ambassadors must do what they can to improve the amplification of the great work being done through the Cyber Resilience Centres.
Jamie also mentions the impending Cyber Security Resilience Bill and its impact on the MSP community. While Jamie describes it as one of the most significant shifts in the cybersecurity landscape, he expresses caution, believing it's a start but not the complete solution.
The whole discussion sets a good picture and leads nicely into the next CyberVersed episode, which will be part two of the MSP-focused discussion, when they will also be joined by team members from the CRC Network.
NCSC has also recently published guidance for SMEs when choosing an MSP. You can view it here.