Cobalt

14/10/2026

Cyber Essentials is about getting the fundamentals right.

Weak passwords, outdated software and poorly protected devices can all create unnecessary gaps in your security.

We’ll help you find those gaps, fix them and guide you through the Cyber Essentials process without making it more complicated than it needs to be.

And once you’re certified, we can help you keep improving your security as your business grows.

No scare tactics. No jargon. Just practical protection that makes sense.

Find out more here - https://cobalt.so/cyber-essentials

12/10/2026

Is your business confident in the cybersecurity basics?

A recent UK government study revealed that 57% of businesses lack confidence in carrying out at least one fundamental security task, with detecting and removing malware topping the list.

The good news? It’s not necessarily that businesses are getting worse, but that teams are becoming more aware of what needs attention.

We’ve broken down the 9 fundamental tasks every business should review and how to address any hidden gaps in your setup.

Check where your business stands:

The government's 2026 cyber skills study finds 57 per cent of UK businesses not confident in at least one basic security task. The nine tasks, and what to do.

08/10/2026

Pe*******on testing is about finding the gaps before someone else does.

Your systems can look secure on the surface, but it only takes one overlooked vulnerability to create an opportunity.

We test your systems as an attacker would, identify weaknesses and show you exactly what needs attention.

But the real value is what happens next.

With Cobalt, you’re not left with a technical report and a list of problems. We help you understand the risks, prioritise the fixes and strengthen your setup afterwards.

Because finding the gap is only useful if you know how to close it.

Find out more:
https://cobalt.so/penetration-testing

06/10/2026

You might be using TalkTalk without knowing it.

BT has agreed to buy TalkTalk and its wholesale arm PXC out of administration.

And PXC sits behind broadband and network services supplied by other providers, which means your business could rely on its infrastructure without TalkTalk appearing anywhere on your bill.

For most businesses, nothing changes overnight.

But it does make this a good time to understand exactly who sits behind your broadband, phone lines and leased lines.

Not sure? We can help you check.
Drop us a message or give us a call on 01392 662600

Read the full update here -

BT has agreed to buy TalkTalk and PXC out of administration. The government has intervened and the CMA reports by 19 October. What firms should know.

02/10/2026

It's Coffee with Cobalt: Directors Edition.

We gave the sales team a day off from camera duties and put Chris, Ian and Jim in the hot seat instead.

From hypothetical debates to risque discussions that unfortunately didn't make the cut, giving the bosses the mic did not disappoint...

We’ll get our coat

28/09/2026

One point of contact and total peace of mind.

Managing multiple suppliers for your comms and IT is time-consuming and can leave gaps where things can easily fall through the cracks.

At Cobalt, we bring everything under one roof.

One dedicated team keeps your systems secure, connected and running smoothly.

Simplify your business with a partner who takes complete ownership: https://cobalt.so/

25/09/2026

Is your business fully migrated off copper lines?

Openreach’s latest progress report reveals there are still roughly 350,000 business premises across the UK running on legacy analogue lines. In Bristol - our closest reported city - almost 43,775 lines are still waiting to make the shift.

Don't make the mistake of assuming it's just about your office phone handsets.

Alarm panels, lift emergency call points, door entry gates and card machines frequently run on forgotten background lines. When the network shuts down, those unmigrated business services will turn off immediately and there'll be no backup safety net.

Don't wait for a key service to fail. Find out more here and get in touch if you need some help making the switch:

Openreach's 17 September league table leaves around 600,000 legacy lines across ten UK cities, Bristol on 8.99 per cent. What South West businesses should do now.

23/09/2026

More than just your typical tech company.

When you partner with a managed service provider, you shouldn't just get reactive ticket-fixing. You need a dedicated extension of your team that looks out for your business and your team.

From proactive cyber defence to seamless workplace comms, we keep your business moving forward without the usual headaches.

We're Cobalt, it's what we do.

21/09/2026

The biggest mistake with AI? Forcing it into places it doesn't belong.

Because of the hype, so many businesses feel pressured to adopt AI out of fear of getting left behind. However, this just results in implementing complex tools for problems that don't actually exist in their workflow.

As Ian puts it, stop looking for ways to use AI. Instead, find a genuine operational pain point (a task that takes way too long, a manual process your team dreads, or a resource bottleneck) and use AI to solve that.

Fix the problem, don't just follow the trend.

18/09/2026

Think a strict company policy is keeping unapproved AI out of your workplace? Think again.

Recent NCSC data reveals that 71% of employees are already using unapproved AI tools to get their daily tasks done.

The reality is simple - if a tool saves an employee significant time, blocking access on their work laptop just drives the practice onto personal devices. That leaves your sensitive business data, client details and internal documents floating around in consumer AI tools with zero visibility or control.

Instead of treating Shadow AI as a disciplinary issue, the NCSC advises taking a transparent approach. Find out what your team is using, set clear rules on what data is off-limits, and provide a safe, sanctioned tool that actually does the job.

Read the full article and NCSC guidance here: https://cobalt.so/news/ncsc-shadow-ai-unapproved-tools-2026