Cyber Security Consultants
Experience the UK’s most qualified cyber security consultants.
CyPro maintains a comprehensive Talent Community of over 50 cyber security subject matter experts providing on-demand technical expertise in areas such as secure architecture and incident response.
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What Are Cyber Security Consultants?
Cyber security consultants are experts who support organisations through the complex world of cyber security.
Cyber security consultants work directly with organisations to improve their security posture while ensuring compliance with industry requirements. They do this by providing a whole range of services including cyber risk assessments, security audits, security monitoring, network design reviews and incident response plans, amongst others.
By staying up to date on the most recent threats and trends, cyber security consultants are able to offer clients cutting-edge strategies and insights. Acting as trusted partners, cyber security consultants enable you to proactively handle security challenges and promote a security awareness culture among your employees.
What's Included?
Current Security Posture
We begin by reviewing your existing processes, controls and technologies, identifying strengths and areas needing improvement.
Risk and Gap Analysis
We examine potential threats, vulnerabilities and compliance obligations, helping you allocate resources effectively.
Security Strategy
We develop clear plans aligned with your organisational objectives, setting timelines and milestones for improved security maturity.
Architecture Reviews
We evaluate your network and system architectures, providing recommendations to fortify against external and internal attacks.
Policy Guidance
We refine or create policies, ensuring alignment with relevant laws, regulations and standards such as GDPR or ISO 27001.
Implementation Support
We introduce new tools or enhance existing setups, working closely with your team to ensure seamless integration with minimal disruption.
Challenges Addressed By Cyber Security Consultants
Incident Response
When an incident occurs, it is ‘all hands to the pump’ and invariably, it can be challenging without the right cyber security consultants in the room. This helps restore order to the chaos but also takes pressure off already stretched internal teams.
Comply with Regulation
Regulatory frameworks require specialist expertise from cyber security consultants in knowing how to attain a compliant state. Compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 is crucial to avoiding legal penalties and operational risks.
Augment Internal Resource
SMBs frequently deal with insufficient or inadequate internal IT resources. It might not be commercially viable to have a dedicated in-house cyber security team.Our cyber security consultants provide businesses access to top-tier expertise without the cost of hiring full-time employees.
Project Delivery
Most organisations have a number of projects inflight designed to improve and elevate their cyber security capabilities. If internal resources try to deliver this extra work, it can often result in burn out and the day-to-day being neglected.
Incident Response
When an incident occurs, it is ‘all hands to the pump’ and invariably, it can be challenging without the right cyber security consultants in the room. This helps restore order to the chaos but also takes pressure off already stretched internal teams.
Comply with Regulation
Regulatory frameworks require specialist expertise from cyber security consultants in knowing how to attain a compliant state. Compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 is crucial to avoiding legal penalties and operational risks.
Augment Internal Resource
SMBs frequently deal with insufficient or inadequate internal IT resources. It might not be commercially viable to have a dedicated in-house cyber security team.Our cyber security consultants provide businesses access to top-tier expertise without the cost of hiring full-time employees.
Project Delivery
Most organisations have a number of projects inflight designed to improve and elevate their cyber security capabilities. If internal resources try to deliver this extra work, it can often result in burn out and the day-to-day being neglected.
What Our Clients Say
Benefits of Cyber Security Consultants
Cyber security consultants not only ensure you have the right technical skillsets involved in building your cyber security capabilities but they also provide the extra capacity to drive work forward.
Expertise and Specialisms
Cyber security consultants are highly knowledgeable and experienced in a wide range of cyber security domains. With certifications such as ISO 27001, CISSP, and CISM, they are qualified to address everything from technical vulnerabilities to regulatory compliance.
Cost-Effective
Instead of spending a lot of money on a full-time in-house security team (OPEX spend), businesses can hire cyber security consultants on a fractional basis (CAPEX spend) for specific projects or ongoing support. This is a cost-effective option that allows businesses to acquire high-level expertise without requiring long-term commitments.
Rapid Improvements
When you need your cyber security transforming over a short period of time, cyber security consultants can help deliver a significant amount of change over a short time frame, due to their experience and level of expertise.
Professional Independence
External cyber security consultants bring a level of independence and professional rigour that internal resources cannot. They are not tied to the career progression, politics or internal biases that might (actively or passively) be imposed on internal teams, and as such can provide objectivity without any ulterior motives or hidden agendas.
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Case Study: Global Pharmaceutical Company
Client Challenge
A global pharmaceutical firm looking to undergo a comprehensive digital transformation lacked in-house cyber security expertise and resources to execute this transformation effectively.
They had an established in-house cyber security team but it contained generalists and lacked the technical subject matter experts required to make the change program a success.
Our Approach
To support the client, CyPro deployed a cyber security consultants team with a tailored engagement:
- Virtual CISO: Provided strategic oversight and project management, ensuring the transformation aligned with business goals and regulatory compliance.
- Technical Experts: The cyber security consultants team included technical experts such as a cyber security engineer, senior cyber security architect and a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst.
- Blended Delivery Team: Consultants with blended expertise worked collaboratively to execute the various workstreams.
Our approach included:
- Transformation Roadmap: A phased roadmap prioritised initiatives based on risk, cost and business impact.
- Knowledge Transfer: Training and skills development for the client’s internal IT and operations teams to build capabilities.
- Flexible Resourcing: The CyPro team scaled its involvement as needed by the client, providing on-demand access to expertise.
Value Delivered
Improved Resilience
The client successfully transformed its IT infrastructure, and implemented robust cyber security controls, significantly improving their overall security posture and operational resilience.
Team Empowerment
The client’s internal IT and operations teams gained confidence in their capabilities to independently manage and maintain their transformed environment.
Risk Reduction
CyPro cyber security consultants were able to greatly reduce security risks, giving the client’s customers and stakeholders confidence in their operational practices.
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Who Needs Cyber Security Consultants?
While cyber security is crucial for all companies, certain businesses and industries would gain the most from collaborating with cyber security consultants:
- Businesses Without Internal Security Teams: Creating an internal cyber security team is often not financially feasible for small and medium-sized businesses. When a company is unable to form its own internal cyber security teams, external support becomes crucial. These companies, whether small or medium-sized, face the same digital threats as larger corporations. Businesses are more vulnerable to cyber threats and breaches when they lack internal expertise.
- Rapidly Growing Companies: Businesses experiencing growth, mergers, or acquisitions encounter unique challenges in maintaining consistent security protocols. Security needs to scale alongside operations. For example, an international expansion of a rapidly developing tech startup would require assistance managing various regulatory requirements and safeguarding newly integrated systems.
- Highly Targeted Sectors: Industries that are frequent targets for cyber attacks, such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications, require robust and continuous security monitoring and response capabilities. For example, a challenger bank handling high volumes of sensitive customer information and transactions need to offer comprehensive protection against changing threats.
- Businesses Undergoing Digital Transformation: The finance, healthcare, and telecommunications industries are prime targets for cyber attacks due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle. Cyber security consultants provide continuous security monitoring and response capabilities to these sectors, ensuring the protection of vital data.
- Organisations With Compliance Requirements: Businesses operating in heavily regulated sectors, such healthcare or finance, have to comply with by strict regulatory frameworks, like ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Consultants help to ensure compliance by offering the essential expertise to achieve these requirements without overwhelming internal teams.
Who Doesn’t Need Cyber Security Consultants?
- Small Businesses With Minimal Digital Presence: Businesses with little to no digital infrastructure or that run mostly offline might not require cyber security consultants. For example, a neighbourhood store that doesn’t keep client information on the internet probably wouldn’t need a cyber security consultant.
- Low-Risk Industries: Certain industries with low exposure to cyber threats (e.g., traditional sectors with limited online operations) may not require comprehensive consultation services. However, as digital transformation expands across many industries, this is becoming less common.
Our Approach
At CyPro, we provide cyber security consultants in a structured approach that ensures alignment with your company’s specific requirements and security objectives.
Initial Consultation
We start by doing a thorough review of the objectives and security posture that your company currently has. This initial stage enables us to truly understand your cyber security needs, while making sure that we effectively address your unique challenges.
Aligning Expertise With Your Needs
Once we’ve identified your needs, we will match them with the right expert. We carefully choose a cyber security consultant or subject matter expert (SME) whose expertise directly addresses the challenges your company is facing, ensuring an ideal fit for your project.
Subject Matter Expert Introduction
Following the selection of the appropriate consultant, we coordinate an introduction between your team and the consultant. This initial meeting sets the foundation for effective collaboration, enabling you to discuss your unique goals and expectations with the expert and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Project Mobilisation & Kick-Off
After introducing the cyber security consultants, we proceed to project mobilisation. This includes finalising the project plan, setting defined objectives, and deploying the appropriate resources. At this point, we make sure the project is ready to proceed, with the right team and tools in place to meet your security requirements.
Delivery Monitoring
Following the project launch, our cyber security consultants team collaborates closely with your company to monitor the quality of delivery. We hold regular status meetings to ensure that the quality of delivery is up to standard.
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in Touch
Secure your business.
Elevate your security, accelerate your growth. We take care of cyber security for high-growth companies, at every stage of their journey.
Get in TouchYour Cyber Security Consultants Team
Rob McBride
Rob is a Founding Partner at CyPro and a highly experienced CISO. Beginning his career with a successful tenure at Deloitte, Rob has since amassed a wealth of experience, notably serving as a cyber security advisor to the UK government and spearheading cloud security transformations for several global banks.
At CyPro, Rob leads the managed service business line, working extensively across multiple sectors including telecommunications, technology, higher education, travel, and retail. He is passionate about equipping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with robust cyber security strategies to fuel their growth.
Additional Consultants
Jamie is the former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Allianz Holdings, where he led cyber security strategy, operations, and delivery across Allianz UK’s financial services and insurance businesses, including Allianz Commercial, Petplan, and LV.
He provides cyber security advisory services to start-ups and high-growth businesses. In this capacity, he serves as an active board member at the Cyber Defence Alliance, a cyber advisor to CVC Capital Partners, and a member of several start-up advisory boards. He is also an established keynote speaker and event moderator.
He offers services such as vCISO, fractional CISO, board advisory, cyber advisory, keynote speaking, and event moderation, delivered on a modular basis to meet client needs.
Originating from Deloitte, Ellie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Cyber Security Manager.
She specialises in the field of threat intelligence, enabling clients to proactively identify and respond to threats before they escalate into issues.
Technically adept and highly knowledgeable, Ellie excels at developing robust security strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Known for her warm and collaborative approach, Ellie is a natural motivator and people person, making her a trusted partner in implementing and operating effective security controls.
Kailey is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Digital Operational Resilience Act Trained Professional (DORATPro) with extensive experience in developing and implementing security governance frameworks and data protection policies. Adept at aligning information security initiatives with regulatory requirements and business objectives, ensuring compliance with ISO 27001, GDPR, DORA, and Cyber Essentials Plus.
With a proven track record in transforming information security postures, expertise spans insurance, financial services, managed IT services, and the public sector. Kailey is skilled in building Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), managing third-party risks, and enhancing organisational resilience through strategic advisory, policy development, and security training programs.
She is recognised for a collaborative and solutions-driven approach, fostering trust and teamwork to drive effective security transformations. Passionate about implementing tailored security frameworks that safeguard digital assets while supporting business growth and operational resilience.
And is an experienced Identity and Access Management (IAM) consultant with over two decades in the field, specializing in identity governance, security architecture, and access control solutions. Currently working as a freelance Identity Management Consultant at Ptolemy SI, he has provided expert IAM solutions for organizations including CyPro, Claritas Solutions, and Consultancy Plus, focusing on designing and implementing secure identity frameworks.
Previously, he spent nearly 12 years at Microsoft as a Senior IAM Consultant, where he played a key role in developing and optimizing identity management strategies for enterprise clients. His background also includes IAM and technical roles at Service Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, where he supported complex IT infrastructures and security frameworks.
Beyond his technical expertise, And is also an author, having written DeLorean: Celebrating the Impossible. His diverse experience and deep knowledge of identity security make him a trusted advisor in the IAM space, helping organizations strengthen their security posture through tailored identity solutions.
Comparison: Cyber Security Consultants vs Cyber Risk Assessment
When deciding how to improve your organisation’s security posture, it is critical to understand the differences between cyber security consultants and cyber risk assessment.
Cyber Security Consultants
- Expertise On Demand: Cyber security consultants use specialised expertise and experience to address security challenges, providing tailored solutions that meet your organisation’s particular security gaps.
- Project-Based Engagement: Hiring consultants for one-time tasks or ongoing assistance gives businesses flexibility and cost-effectiveness without requiring a full-time employee.
- Strategic Guidance: Consultants offer strategic guidance and insights to help organisations navigate complicated security landscapes, compliance initiatives, and risk management strategies.
- Who Is This Best For? Organisations that need expert advice on specialised security projects, assessments, or compliance initiatives and have some internal resources to handle day-to-day security operations.
Cyber Risk Assessment
- Comprehensive Risk Analysis: A cyber risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of an organisation’s current security posture that identifies potential vulnerabilities and threats in order to inform risk management strategies.
- Prioritised Recommendations: This evaluation makes prioritised recommendations based on the specific risks identified, assisting companies in allocating resources effectively to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- One-Time Evaluation Or Ongoing Review: Organisations can choose a one-time evaluation to create a baseline or conduct frequent reviews to respond to changing security landscapes.
- Who Is This Best For? A systematic risk assessment method is beneficial for companies looking to improve their security posture and regulatory compliance by understanding their overall security risks and vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do cyber security consultants make?
A cyber security consultant’s salary can vary depending on their experience, location, industry, and specific expertise. On average:
- Entry-level consultants: Make between £40,000 and £60,000 a year on average in the UK, or $70,000 to $90,000 in the US.
- Mid-level consultants: Earns between £60,000 and £85,000 in the UK and $90,000 to $120,000 in the United States.
- Senior consultants: With extensive experience, earnings can exceed £100,000 in the UK and $150,000 in the US.
Freelance consultants may charge hourly rates ranging from £50 to £150 per hour, depending on their experience and the project’s complexity.
- How to become a cyber security consultant?
The following steps can help you become a cyber security consultant:
- Earn a Relevant Degree: Begin with a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, cyber security, or a related field. Employers frequently prefer candidates with degrees, even though they are not always required.
- Gain Experience: Starting off in entry-level positions such as system administrator, network security analyst, or IT support expert is highly recommended. You can expand your abilities by gaining practical experience with security systems and protocols through these roles.
- Earn Cyber Security Certifications: Acquiring credibility and progressing in this field requires holding credentials that are acknowledged by the industry. Popular certifications include:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Develop Specialisations: Cyber security consultants frequently focus on risk management, ethical hacking, cloud security, network security, or compliance. Developing proficiency in one or more areas of expertise will increase your marketability.
- Stay Updated: Cyber threats evolve quickly, therefore it’s important to stay updated by constantly exploring new tools, strategies, and developments in the field. You can keep up to date by taking advanced courses or attending conferences.
- Network and Build a Professional Reputation: Expand your network by joining professional associations such as (ISC)² or ISACA, attending cyber security conferences, and connecting with peers in the sector. Developing solid business links will help you find out about job openings and gain industry knowledge.
- Build a Portfolio and Find Clients/Jobs: Make a portfolio that highlights your accomplishments, skills, and projects if you wish to work as a freelance consultant. Apply for consulting positions with IT companies or security firms if you would rather work for an organisation.
- What does a cyber security consultant do?
Cyber security consultants help firms in protecting their digital infrastructure against cyber threats. Their key responsibilities consist of:
- Risk Assessment: Evaluating an organisation’s present security posture and identifying possible vulnerabilities.
- Security Audits: Conducting thorough audits of current systems to ensure compliance to best practices and industry standards.
- Incident Response: Development and implementation of strategies to respond promptly to cyber attacks and data breaches.
- Security Solutions: Cyber security measures including intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewalls, and encryption tools are advised and put into practice.
- Training: Educating employees about cyber awareness and best practices to prevent cyber threats like malware and phishing.
- How much do cyber security consultants charge?
Typically, the cost of cyber security consultants is determined by their experience level, project complexity, and market rates:
- Hourly rates: Depending on the consultant’s level of experience, they can range from £50 to £150 ($100 to $300) each hour.
- Project-based fees: Depending on the extent and length of the project, fees for comprehensive assessments, penetration tests, or security audits can range from £5,000 to £50,000 ($7,000 to $70,000) or more.
- Retainer fees: Some consultants charge a monthly retainer of £2,000 to £10,000 ($3,000 to $15,000) for ongoing support and monitoring services.
- How to start a cyber security consulting business?
There are several essential steps involved in launching a cyber security consulting business:
- Develop Expertise: Make sure you have extensive experience and credentials in cyber security.
- Create a Business Plan: Identify your target market, the services you will provide (such as risk assessments, penetration testing, and compliance consulting), and your pricing strategy in your business plan.
- Legal and Financial Setup: Register your company, make sure local regulations are followed, and set up your tax and accounting practices.
- Obtain Insurance: Obtain professional liability insurance to protect both your clients and yourself.
- Build a Network: Create a professional network to find potential clients through conferences, webinars, and partnerships.
- Marketing: Build a website, spend money on SEO, and use industry publications, business networking groups, and social media to promote your company.
- Client Acquisition: Begin small by providing services to local businesses, then expand as your client base grows.
- What is the highest-paid cyber security consultant?
The highest-paid cyber security consultants frequently focus on fields with significant demand, such as:
- CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers): They can earn £150,000+ in the UK or $250,000+ in the US per year, particularly in top-tier industries such as finance or healthcare.
- Penetration Testers (Ethical Hackers): Professionals with advanced credentials (such the Offensive Security Certified Professional, OSCP) and experience in penetration testing can charge up to £200 per hour or more for specialised assessments.
- Incident Response Experts: In-demand experts who handle high-profile cyber breaches or deal with government agencies might charge extremely high fees for short-term, high-risk engagements.
Depending on their level of experience and the scope of the projects they work on, independent consultants, government contractors, and employees of Fortune 500 corporations may make more than $500,000.
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