You know my favorite part of telling people “I prepare companies to be hacked?” The total look of confusion. The concept violates almost everything they’ve seen and read about cybersecurity. To most people, cybersecurity is or can be made foolproof. Truth is, nothing can protect a company’s data or IT systems 100% of the time. So, they must prepare for the inevitable.My 20 years in technology began when the commercial Internet was still a toddler. There were indications of the massive shift about to take place, but few foresaw what the Internet has become. It’s created new realities for the majority of the world, and those realities have brought along both good and bad consequences.My role as a cyber liability consultant is to minimize damage done to small- and mid-size businesses (1-300 employees) AFTER a cyber event. To prepare for the after means businesses must prepare before. My work looks to implement protocols now to limit a company’s exposure in three key areas: operations, legal, and reputation. Sometimes companies go kicking and screaming, but in the end, it’s worth the effort.