Discover what agentic AI really means for small businesses – from automating the jobs a founder juggles to ransomware that learns its way around your network – and why patching hygiene and simply taking five remain your best defences, in this conversation with Mike Gillespie of Advent IM. Episode Summary Mike Gillespie, founder of Advent IM, joins Amaia Mildon, FNConnect Lead, to discuss agentic AI, ransomware and what SME leaders need to know. Mike explains how AI has moved from machine learning through large language models to agentic AI – systems empowered to make decisions and take actions without asking permission – and why that calls for clear boundaries and a human in the loop, much as you would set for a new employee. He argues that, done well and with the right safeguards, agentic AI is exactly the direction SMEs should be heading, automating the repetitive tasks a founder juggles while wearing every hat. The conversation then turns to the threat side: AI tools that find vulnerabilities faster than they can be fixed, ransomware that learns its way around security controls at machine speed, dual attacks that encrypt and steal data, and automated deepfakes impersonating a director on a Teams call. Mike's advice is to get the basics right – multi-factor authentication, patching hygiene and role-specific education – build a culture where people feel trusted to challenge a request that doesn't feel right, and remember that being small doesn't stop you being a target. About the Guest Mike Gillespie is the founder of Advent IM, a UK security consultancy and training provider he set up 25 years ago, working with organisations to protect their people, their information and their assets. A self-described hobbyist turned practitioner, Mike has spent over 30 years in cybersecurity and has watched every new technology of that period become a weapon used against us. He also hosts Advent IM's own podcast, and is a member of the FNConnect network. What You'll Learn What agentic AI actually is – AI empowered to decide and act without asking permission – and where to put your human oversight How SMEs can use agentic AI to automate repetitive tasks such as HR, finance and patching, and why the fearmongering shouldn't put you off How attackers are using AI: finding vulnerabilities faster than they can be fixed, ransomware that learns its way around security controls, and automated deepfakes impersonating directors Why patching hygiene, multi-factor authentication and role-specific education remain the biggest tools in your arsenal Why being small doesn't make you an unattractive target, and why “just take five” and a culture of challenge are your best human defences Join the FNConnect Network FNConnect is a community created by Frazer-Nash Consultancy, designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises connect, collaborate, and grow together across the UK. Through networking events, resources, and platforms like this podcast, we create meaningful opportunities for SMEs to share expertise and develop new business relationships. Sign up for the FNConnect Network Links & Resources Connect with Mike Gillespie on LinkedIn Learn more about Advent IM Frazer Nash Consultancy Connect with Amaia Mildon, FNConnect Lead, on LinkedIn Be Featured on the Podcast Would you like to share your business story and insights with our FNConnect community? We're always looking to feature innovative business leaders from our network. Contact FNConnect: FNConnectHub@fnc.co.uk About This Podcast The FNConnect Conversations Podcast is generated using AI from a company called Aloudable (https://aloudable.com/). This episode was based on a real interview but has been generated, edited and enhanced using AI.
