The Technology Translator

Vic

Technology is now part of every business, but most business owners, managers and leaders were never taught how to make technology decisions. The Technology Translator is a practical podcast that breaks down technology, cybersecurity, AI and digital business topics into plain English. Hosted by Vic, a technology professional with more than a decade of experience working with Australian organisations, each episode explores the questions business leaders are asking every day: What technology do we actually need? How do we reduce risk? What should we know about AI? How do we get value from technology without getting lost in the jargon? No buzzwords. No vendor sales pitches. No unnecessary complexity. Just practical conversations designed to help Australian businesses make technology make sense.

  1. Sep 22

    What Is a Firewall? Network Security, Cloud Security & CASB Explained

    Firewalls are one of those technology terms everyone has heard, but not everyone really understands. In this episode of The Technology Translator, we break down what a firewall actually does, what “allow” and “block” really mean, and how things like default allow and default deny work in practice. We also look at what this means if you’re a small business with a laptop, Wi-Fi and mostly cloud-based applications, how firewalls have evolved as businesses have moved into the cloud, where CASB fits in, and why having a firewall absolutely does not mean your cybersecurity is sorted. Because the bigger question isn’t just what we let in and out. It’s what happens when the person using the technology makes a completely human decision. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  2. Sep 8

    Networking Explained: How Your Technology Actually Communicates

    Ever wondered what actually happens when you hit send on an email — or why your house and office are full of little boxes with blinking lights? In this episode of The Technology Translator, we break networking down into plain English. From Wi-Fi and Ethernet to routers, switches, IP addresses, DNS, bandwidth and even why LAN parties were once the ultimate nerd event, we follow how information actually gets from A to B. No networking degree required. Just a simple explanation of the invisible communication system behind almost every piece of technology we use. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  3. Aug 25

    Servers & Cloud Explained: The Evolution of Business Technology

    You use technology every day. You open your laptop, click on the F drive, jump into SharePoint, open your CRM and get on with your job. But have you ever stopped to think about what's actually happening behind the scenes? In this episode of The Technology Translator, we're going back to basics and looking at how business technology evolved from paper and filing cabinets, to individual computers, centralised servers and eventually the cloud. We break down what a server actually is, why businesses needed them, what local storage and shared drives really mean, how applications can run on servers, and why the rise of cloud fundamentally changed the way businesses operate. We also get into the stuff business leaders actually need to understand: on-premises vs cloud, cost models, Azure and cloud spend, security and shared responsibility, reliability, scalability, virtual machines, hybrid environments, backups and end-of-life infrastructure. You don't need to know how to build a server or architect a cloud environment. But if you're being asked to approve the investment, you should understand what you're paying for — and the questions you need to ask. In this episode: How business technology evolved from paper to PCs, servers and cloudWhat a server actually doesLocal storage and shared drives explainedWhy servers became central to business operationsWhat "the cloud" actually meansOn-premises servers vs cloudCAPEX vs ongoing cloud costsWhy cloud isn't automatically cheaperCloud security and the Shared Responsibility ModelReliability, scalability and internet dependencyVirtual machines and virtualisationHybrid environmentsBackups and server end-of-lifeThe questions business leaders should be askingNext episode: Networks & Firewalls — how all of this technology actually communicates, and how we control what gets in and out. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  4. Aug 11

    Is Your Business Actually Ready for AI? The Foundations Nobody Talks About

    Everyone is talking about AI. ChatGPT. Microsoft Copilot. Claude. AI Agents. Agentic AI. RAG. MCP. But before your business invests in AI, there's a far more important question to answer... Are you actually ready for it? In this episode of The Technology Translator, Vic Cole explains why successful AI adoption has far less to do with choosing the right tool and far more to do with understanding your business information. You'll learn: What AI buzzwords like Agentic AI, RAG and MCP actually mean.Why AI projects often become data governance projects.The five questions every business leader should ask before implementing AI.What Shadow AI is and why it's becoming one of the biggest business risks.Why data classification, governance and cybersecurity are the real foundations of successful AI.Whether you're just starting to explore AI or already planning your next project, this episode will help you cut through the hype and focus on what really matters. Because AI isn't something you buy. It's something you become ready for. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  5. Aug 4

    AI for Business: The Good, the Bad & the Hype

    AI is everywhere. Every software vendor has an AI feature. Every conference has an AI keynote. Every second LinkedIn post seems to promise that AI will completely transform your business. But what actually is AI? In this episode of The Technology Translator, Vic cuts through the noise and explains Artificial Intelligence in plain English. You'll learn: Why AI isn't actually as "new" as people thinkThe difference between AI, machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs)Why AI hallucinates and why you shouldn't blindly trust itHow Vic uses AI to create this podcast and save hours every weekWhy AI learns patterns and starts adapting to the way you communicatePractical ways businesses can start using AI todayThe risks of uploading sensitive business information into public AI toolsThe questions every business leader should be asking before embracing AIWhether you're excited, sceptical, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you understand what AI really is, what it isn't, and why human judgement is still your greatest competitive advantage. Next week, we'll take the next step and explore whether your business is actually AI-ready. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  6. Jul 28

    Cybersecurity Isn't Optional Anymore: What Every Australian Business Is Now Expected to Do

    Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem. It's a business risk, a governance issue, and increasingly, a legal and regulatory responsibility. In this episode of The Technology Translator, Vic breaks down what Australian business owners, directors and managers actually need to know about cybersecurity obligations—without the jargon. You'll learn why the Australian Government has been warning businesses for years, what the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recommends, what the landmark RI Advice case means for directors, how privacy laws have changed, and why cybersecurity is now influencing tenders, supplier questionnaires and even insurance claims. Vic also explores why the conversation has shifted from "if" your business experiences a cyber incident to "when", and why resilience is becoming just as important as prevention. Whether you're a small business owner or leading a growing organisation, this episode will help you understand what "reasonable steps" really look like and why asking the right questions today could save your business tomorrow. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why cybersecurity is now a business responsibility, not just an IT issue  The role of the ASD and ACSC in protecting Australian businesses  What Scamwatch data tells us about the scale of cybercrime in Australia  What the RI Advice case changed for directors and governance  Australia's privacy obligations and potential penalties  Why cyber insurance isn't a guaranteed safety net  How cybersecurity is becoming a competitive advantage when bidding for work  Practical questions every business owner should ask their IT provider Because cybersecurity isn't about being perfect. It's about being prepared. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  7. Jul 21

    Why IT Support Doesn't Automatically Mean Security

    Most businesses think cybersecurity is simply part of IT. But is it? In this episode of The Technology Translator, Vic explains why keeping technology running and protecting a business from cyber threats are two very different challenges. Starting with a simple poster she saw early in her career comparing cybersecurity to personal hygiene, Vic explores how cyber risk has evolved from an IT issue into a business responsibility. You'll learn:  Why cybersecurity became its own profession  The difference between an MSP and an MSSP  What firewalls, antivirus, endpoint protection, EDR, MFA and Security Operations Centres actually do  Why moving to the cloud doesn't automatically make your business secure  When growing businesses need more than basic IT support  Why organisations now employ Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)  Why boards, insurers and regulators are paying closer attention to cyber risk than ever before Whether you have an internal IT team or outsource your technology, this episode will help you ask one simple but incredibly important question: Who is actually responsible for protecting our business? Because understanding where IT support ends and cybersecurity begins could be one of the most important technology decisions your organisation ever makes. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

  8. Jul 14

    What Should My IT Provider Actually Be Doing?

    Most businesses have an IT provider. But very few business owners actually know what they're paying for. In this episode of The Technology Translator, Vic breaks down what a modern IT provider should actually be responsible for, from day-to-day support and onboarding staff to backups, budgeting, projects and long-term technology planning. Through a real story about a not-for-profit organisation that nearly had to close its doors after assumptions during a major technology project, Vic explains why asking the right questions can save your business thousands of dollars and countless headaches. You'll learn: • What a Managed Service Provider (MSP) actually does • Why technology should be treated as a business function, not just a help desk • The 10 questions every business owner should ask their IT provider • How to budget for technology instead of reacting to unexpected costs • What "end of life" technology means and why it matters • Why not every technology provider offers the same expertise • How to reduce risk by eliminating assumptions before they become expensive mistakes You don't need to become an IT expert. You just need to know the right questions to ask. Making technology make sense. Support the show Thanks for listening to The Technology Translator. If you found this episode useful, please follow the podcast and share it with someone who has ever been responsible for making a technology decision. You can connect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaccole/ Instagram - @thetechnologytranslator Email - vic@thetechnologytranslator.au Remember: You don't need to become technical. You do need to become informed.

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About

Technology is now part of every business, but most business owners, managers and leaders were never taught how to make technology decisions. The Technology Translator is a practical podcast that breaks down technology, cybersecurity, AI and digital business topics into plain English. Hosted by Vic, a technology professional with more than a decade of experience working with Australian organisations, each episode explores the questions business leaders are asking every day: What technology do we actually need? How do we reduce risk? What should we know about AI? How do we get value from technology without getting lost in the jargon? No buzzwords. No vendor sales pitches. No unnecessary complexity. Just practical conversations designed to help Australian businesses make technology make sense.

Information

  • Creator
    Vic
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Technology Translator
  • Show Website
    The Technology Translator