Cyber risk is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a leadership issue that can decide whether a business survives or shuts its doors. In this episode, Steve “The Doctor” Meek sits down with David Johnson to unpack why so many SMBs still underestimate cyber risk—and what leaders must do differently in 2026.

🔑 Top Takeaway
“Cyber risk is business risk.” — David Johnson
Most business owners assume cybersecurity is something their IT provider “handles.” That assumption is exactly what attackers count on.
The bold truth: leaders who don’t actively own cyber risk are quietly betting their company’s future on luck.
🎯 What you’ll gain by listening:
• A clearer understanding of why SMBs are targeted first
• How cyber insurance now affects revenue, contracts, and partnerships
• Practical leadership behaviors that reduce risk—without becoming technical
👉 If you want to protect your people, your reputation, and your future revenue, this episode shows where to start.

👤 Guest Bio
David Johnson, VP of Sales & Marketing at The Fulcrum Group, Inc., brings nearly 30 years of experience in IT and over two decades working directly with small and mid-sized organizations.
David works closely with business owners to help them understand cyber risk, cyber insurance requirements, and how the right managed IT partnership can reduce operational and financial exposure—before a crisis hits.

❤️ Vitals
📊 43% of cyberattacks now target SMBs
Small businesses are no longer “too small to notice.” Attackers know defenses and budgets are limited.
📊 Only 10–17% of SMBs carry cyber insurance
This leaves most organizations financially exposed—and increasingly unqualified for vendor or client contracts.
📊 Organizations without incident response plans recover 3.5× slower
Downtime isn’t just lost productivity—it’s lost trust, revenue, and momentum.
🩺 Why this matters: These metrics prove cyber risk is a leadership and continuity issue, not just a technology problem.

📋 Medical History
This episode breaks down how cyber threats, cyber insurance, and leadership responsibility intersect—and why preparation always beats panic.

🔍 Exam
Time-Stamped Highlights & Key Topics
• 03:00 – The myth: “We’re too small to be a target”
• 05:51 – Why cyber insurance is becoming unavoidable
• 09:13 – New insurance requirements SMBs aren’t ready for
• 12:00 – Cyber risk management vs. tool buying
• 17:50 – Why training and awareness reduce risk
• 32:03 – The real cost of cyber incidents
• 40:48 – Incident response planning explained
• 49:16 – “Cyber risk is business risk.”
🧾 Treatment Plan
💡 Key Prescriptions from the Episode
• Conduct regular cyber risk assessments
• Implement layered security—not single tools
• Build and test an incident response plan
• Treat cyber insurance as a business enabler, not a cost
📣 Guest Call to Action
David invites listeners to continue the conversation and take a proactive step toward understanding their cyber risk posture.
📞 Phone: 817-898-1281
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djtfg/
🎙️ Podcast Call to Action
If today’s discussion resonated, subscribe to Talk To Th3 Doc on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review—it helps other leaders find the show.
Connect with The Fulcrum Group through the Initial Consultation form on our podcast landing page:
👉 https://www.fulcrumgroup.net/talk-to-th3-doc-podcast/
🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | PocketCasts | Amazon Music
🌐 Explore More Episodes: Talk To Th3 Doc Podcast | The Fulcrum Group, Inc.
📩 Email Steve: [email protected]
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemeekcissp/
📞 Fulcrum Company Links
Phone: 817-337-0300
Website: https://www.fulcrumgroup.net
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: The Fulcrum Group, Inc.
YouTube: The Fulcrum Group YouTube Channel
X (Twitter): @TheFulcrumGroup
Facebook: The Fulcrum Group, Inc.