“Know Ye That We Have Granted And Given License To Adam Robernolt and William le Sauvage…to annoy our enemies by sea or by land, wheresoever they are able, so that they share with us the half of all their gain.”

These were the words of King Henry III of England as he issued one of the first letters of marque, effectively employing private sailors to bolster his naval power and fill the royal coffers, all under the guise of lawful privateering. This clever maneuver not only financed the kingdom’s ambitions but also paved the way for the discovery and plunder of new worlds, all at the expense of England’s adversaries.

Fast-forward to the present day, and we find the essence of privateering alive and well, albeit in a new battlefield: cyberspace. Today, businesses, particularly in the United States, find themselves at the mercy of digital privateers.

Recent FBI testimony before Congress warned of the People’s Republic of China’s intent to target and potentially disrupt critical U.S. infrastructure, including the power grid, oil pipelines, and water systems, should tensions over Taiwan escalate into conflict.

As small business owners, you are not mere spectators in this digital skirmish but frontline warriors. The misconception that cyber security is a concern reserved for larger entities couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, the agility and often less fortified digital defenses of small businesses make you prime targets for these modern-day privateers.

The revelation of these threats isn’t meant to dishearten but to awaken a recognition of the critical need for robust cyber security measures. The landscape has shifted, and the onus is on you to protect your enterprise from digital marauders.

The good news? There’s a silver lining in the form of unprecedented opportunity for those ready to fortify their defenses.

Consider this: The investment in cyber security is not merely a safeguard but a strategic advantage. The narrative has evolved from viewing digital protection as an operational cost to recognizing it as a cornerstone of business resilience and growth. CEOs and business leaders are now acknowledging the indispensability of cyber security and integrating it into their core business strategies.

So, where do you stand in this evolving scenario?

This moment calls for reflection, for a candid assessment of your cyber security posture. Are you prepared for the digital equivalent of a storm at sea? Have you charted a course that not only navigates through these treacherous waters but also seizes the opportunities they present?

The urgency cannot be overstated. The threats are real, and the consequences of inaction grave.

We’ve made it easy for you to take the next step toward a proactive defense and invite you to join us for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. On this call, we’ll get an idea of where your business stands to see if it makes sense to have further discussions. To do this, simply call us at 847-906-5005 or go to www.hodgsonconsulting.com/discovery.

The era of digital privateering is upon us, but so is the opportunity for unparalleled growth and security. Let’s embark on this journey together, safeguarding your enterprise and securing its future in the digital frontier.