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.
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.
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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.
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Your Cyber Security Consultants Team
Rob McBride
Rob leads our Cyber-Security-as-a-Service offering at CyPro and is a highly experienced CISO. Starting his career with a successful tenure at Deloitte, Rob has since built a distinguished career in cyber security, notably advising multinational corporations on their cyber resilience and leading security initiatives for financial institutions.
At CyPro, Rob leverages his extensive experience as a CISO across multiple industries including finance, telecommunication, travel, manufacturing, and energy. He is passionate about empowering small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with cutting-edge cyber security solutions to safeguard their operations and drive sustainable growth.
Rob’s expertise and strategic vision are instrumental in delivering tailored, comprehensive security services to our diverse client base.
Additional Consultants
Jamie is a distinguished executive-level CISO with a wealth of experience, having held prominent positions at Thomas Cook, Centrica, Bupa, and Allianz. He has been in cyber security industry for nearly 20 years with experience across most industry sectors and specialises in cyber advisory services to founders and CEOs of cyber start-ups and high-growth companies.
In every role, Jamie demonstrates a balance of empathy and efficiency, ensuring that both customers and fellow colleagues thrive throughout cyber security transformations and change initiatives. He is passionate about revolutionising the cyber security industry through innovative approaches that maximise value from limited budgets.
Jamie excels at empowering businesses and individuals to thrive while safeguarding their assets, reputation, and customers. His strategic vision and dedication make him a pivotal part of our Cyber Security as a Service team.
A graduate in Criminology, Elsie also has an MSc in Crime Science with Cyber Crime from UCL. She brings a solid foundation in cyber security principles and practices.
With a research background in human factors in cyber security, Elsie brings a proactive approach to analysing security landscapes. Highly analytical and committed to supporting clients, she excels at crafting solutions to enhance organisational resilience.
Elsie is proficient in identifying and addressing cyber threats, and committed to staying ahead in the ever-evolving digital security landscape, while her analytical skills, honed through experience and academic studies, enable hrt to extract valuable insights to inform strategic decisions.
Enthusiastic and knowledgeable, Elsie strives to be a catalyst for change in security paradigms, and is dedicated to developing innovative approaches to combat emerging threats.
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.
And is a skilled Identity & Access Management Architect at CyPro, bringing over 18 years of experience in identity management and security. With a robust background that includes roles as a Senior IAM Consultant at Microsoft and various consultancy positions, he is adept at designing and implementing effective identity solutions. And’s expertise in IAM not only enhances our audit processes but also ensures that organisations have secure and efficient access controls in place. His strategic insights contribute significantly to our Cyber Security Audit Team’s efforts in improving security postures for our clients.
Kailey enhances our Cyber Security Audit Team with her expertise in cyber resilience and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). As a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and DORA specialist, she supports organisations in maintaining operational continuity against cyber threats. Kailey’s experience in building Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) and managing third-party risks ensures our audits are thorough and effective. Her strategic approach guarantees that our recommendations not only meet regulatory standards but also bolster the organisation’s capacity to recover from cyber incidents.
Anne brings a wealth of expertise in compliance, risk management, and information security. Specialising in the development of ISO-certified management systems, she has successfully led projects in ISO 27001, SOC, and Cyber Essentials certifications.
Known for a strategic approach, Anne is a trusted advisor in optimising security processes and ensuring organizations meet the latest standards and regulatory requirements.
Jonny is a Founding Partner at CyPro and executive group level CISO who has worked closely with the British intelligence agencies NCSC and GCHQ.
Originating from KPMG and Deloitte, Jonny has a wealth of experience across numerous sectors including technology, critical national infrastructure, financial services, oil & gas, insurance, betting, pharmaceuticals and utilities.
Jonny is a leading cyber security expert in the UK, having featured on national media for his professional commentary such as BBC News, iPlayer, Telegraph and Times Radio.
Jordan is an experienced and highly skilled senior SOC analyst who is certified as a GIAC incident handler (GCIH). He specialises in ensuring the efficient onboarding of clients to our SOC service, focusing on deploying detection rules tailored to each client’s specific threat landscape.
Jordan excels in identifying and responding to sophisticated cyber threats, leveraging his deep knowledge of threat detection tools and techniques to provide proactive protection.
Previously serving as a SOC Manager for the UK Home Office, Jordan brings extensive experience in managing large-scale security operations for critical government infrastructure. He is responsible for overseeing 24×7 monitoring, incident response, and the continuous improvement of detection strategies within our 24×7 SOC.
James is a seasoned virtual DPO (Virtual Data Protection Officer) and renowned UK expert in data protection and privacy, with over three decades of experience at the BBC. As the former Head of Information Policy and Compliance, he was instrumental in shaping the organisation’s data protection strategies and ensuring adherence to privacy regulations.
James helps organisations navigate complex data protection landscapes, especially where they operate in multiple jurisdictions with overlapping data protection laws. His extensive experience and deep understanding of information governance make him a highly trusted advisor in the field of data privacy.
Hassan strengthens the team with his extensive background as a Cyber Security Architect. With 18 years of experience across multi-technology data centre platforms and mobile core networks, he brings a wealth of knowledge in designing secure and resilient systems. As a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Chartered Engineer (CEng), Hassan’s expertise in network and data security architectures ensures that our audits are thorough and effective. His proven ability to lead complex security initiatives equips our team to identify vulnerabilities and enhance organisational resilience against cyber threats.
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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