Welcome 👋

Notes and practical observations on Business Continuity, corporate resilience, and core internet technology — from DNS, email authentication, and online security to real-world IT infrastructure. I’m documenting what I learn as I build towards certifications like the CBCI and beyond, alongside insights from years of working with digital tools and messaging systems. Follow along on the journey, or feel free to reach out directly at hello@paulobrien.com.

A close-up photograph of Paul O'Brien's workstation, showing open books on Business Continuity (CBCI) alongside a notebook and laptop displaying resilience insights.

Journey to the CBCI: Master Business Continuity & Resilience

Documenting my journey toward earning the Certificate of the Business Continuity Institute (CBCI) and exploring BCI Good Practice Guidelines (GPG 7.0).

08/08/2026 · 2 min · 425 words
Mailbox.org Review 2026: Secure, Paid Email Done Properly

Mailbox.org Review 2026: Secure, Paid Email Done Properly

Mailbox.org is a paid German email provider with strong transport security, custom domains, IMAP support, and PGP/S/MIME options — but the 30-day trial blocks external sending.

16/03/2026 · 11 min · 2336 words
Posteo Review 2026: Privacy for €1/month

Posteo Review 2026: Privacy for €1/month

Posteo offers privacy-focused email for €1/month. I tested it to see how it handles anonymity, encryption, IMAP, and real-world usability.

25/02/2026 · 14 min · 2815 words
Mailfence Review 2026: Privacy Without the Hype?

Mailfence Review 2026: Privacy Without the Hype?

Mailfence is a Belgian email provider built around OpenPGP encryption, IMAP compatibility, and a paid-first model. This review looks at how it performs in practice — and who it actually suits in 2026.

22/02/2026 · 11 min · 2177 words
When Yahoo Was the Internet — and Why Yahoo Mail Lost Our Trust

When Yahoo Was the Internet — and Why Yahoo Mail Lost Our Trust

Yahoo Mail didn’t disappear overnight. It faded from relevance as trust eroded, decisions stalled, and breaches exposed deeper problems. This is the story of how the internet’s most trusted brand lost its place at the centre of email.

20/02/2026 · 7 min · 1313 words