Practical technology advice, regional cyber security reporting and reflections from my work in Townsville.

For family stories and everyday life, visit my personal blog on a separate site.

How independent schools should govern technology approvals

Turn ST4S and supplier evidence into a school risk assessment, an accountable approval and a service register that stays useful after deployment.

Remembering Townsville's Great Northern Hotel

Nick O'Sullivan remembers the Great Northern Hotel after the Townsville fire on 11 September 2026: a familiar walk to work, local history and photographs.

From one bar to better coverage: regional connectivity in North Queensland

A technician's view of the Regional Connectivity Program, completed upgrades in Ravenswood and Kennedy, and what clearer mobile coverage maps mean.

The latest Plex security update is a reminder to check what's installed at work

An overdue Plex update at home recalls the LastPass breach and a practical lesson: inventory software, protect admin devices and keep media servers private.

Service doesn't always happen on a stage

Fixing a church projector became a reminder that ordinary technical work still counts as service, and that other people took the time to teach me first.

Testing your defences and preparing to fail safely, AI included

Vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, human factors and a simple framework for pulling it all together — practical readiness steps for schools, charities and small businesses in the age of AI.

North Queensland Cyber Watch: a Townsville gym data breach reaches serving police officers

Serving Townsville police officers were caught up in a data breach linked to a Burdell gym, with client details reportedly found on a USB during a police raid. What is known, why a data breach is not always a hack, and what it says about the platforms gyms run on.