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).

📌 PINNED08/08/2026 · 2 min read · 425 words
Illustration showing the history and evolution of email from ARPANET mainframes to modern mobile devices.

The History of Email: From ARPANET to the Modern Inbox

Email began as a simple way for researchers to leave messages on networked computers. Decades later, it remains one of the few communication systems that works across companies, countries, and devices — and still underpins much of our digital life.

21/09/2024 · 7 min read · 1285 words

Gmail vs Proton Mail: Why I Switched for Privacy

After years using Gmail, I moved to Proton Mail. This isn’t a feature checklist — it’s why privacy and control mattered more to me.

11/09/2024 · 4 min read · 839 words