Hi Chris. Can you start by telling us about the ‘lightbulb moment’ that led to the founding of the business?
The ‘lightbulb moment’ for Optimise Cyber Solutions came when our founder recognised that most businesses needed more than just technical safeguards – they needed cybersecurity woven into their organisational culture. His experience at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) showed him that cyber threats could only be mitigated effectively when employees were well-trained, alert and confident. With that insight, Optimise Cyber Solutions was born to help businesses empower their employees with targeted cybersecurity awareness training, enabling them to spot and respond to risks in real time and creating a more resilient, security-aware workforce.
How did your founder’s background and previous career influence the shape of the business?
Our founder’s background as the UK’s lead Cyber Incident Coordinator at the NCSC has been instrumental in shaping Optimise Cyber Solutions. Having managed some of the UK’s most complex cyber incidents, he developed a keen understanding of how essential real-world preparedness is in cybersecurity. This experience drove him to design the UK’s most effective cybersecurity awareness programmes, based on advanced memory-retention methods. Our bespoke Cyber Incident Management Exercising and Awareness Training deliver high retention and compliance standards, making clients confident that they’re not just meeting regulations but are prepared to respond to real-world threats effectively.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building and growing your business, and how have you overcome them?
Changing perceptions of cybersecurity from a technical issue to a fundamental part of organisational culture has been challenging. To address this, Optimise created training that’s not only memorable but also rooted in each client’s specific risks, showing how every employee plays a role in the company’s security posture. Through strategic partnerships, such as with SYMCA Skills Bank, we’ve also made our training accessible to companies of all sizes, offering tools that support compliance and instil cyber confidence in teams across various industries. We continually adapt our approach to ensure clients see the true value of a proactive, people-centred cybersecurity culture.
Can you describe your typical client and how they benefit most from your services?
Our clients range from ambitious start-ups to large, established enterprises, each looking to protect their assets and meet cybersecurity requirements. Typically, they’re businesses needing support to cultivate a security-aware culture and meet industry standards. Our services are especially valuable because we customise every training programme around an organisation’s top risks, equipping employees with relevant, practical skills they can apply daily. From detailed cybersecurity audits to tailored training sessions, our clients gain actionable insights, achieve high retention, and build confidence to manage real cyber threats and compliance obligations seamlessly.
How do you feel you differ from other similar businesses?
Optimise Cyber Solutions leads the field in cybersecurity awareness by combining practical experience with custom training tailored to each organisation’s needs. Unlike other companies that may rely on standardised training, we base our programmes on the founder’s experience in high-risk cyber incidents and apply methods proven to achieve up to 90% user memory retention. Our training programmes also support certifications like ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials and other regulatory compliance standards, giving clients confidence that their security meets both industry and regulatory expectations. The upcoming Cyber Academy will further enhance this foundation, providing continuous learning and keeping clients compliant and secure. This, alongside our flexible approach in working with companies of all sizes, makes us a distinctive partner for cybersecurity awareness and compliance.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future?
Our future plans focus on expanding our Cyber Academy—a resource for continuous, interactive skill-building that supports organisations of all sizes in staying vigilant and compliant. This Academy will provide tailored resources and compliance training, supporting clients in building and maintaining resilient cybersecurity practices. We’ll continue to grow our partnerships, such as with SYMCA Skills Bank, to make high-quality cybersecurity awareness training affordable and accessible to more organisations, ensuring that businesses are not only compliant but confident in their cyber resilience. By staying adaptive to new threats and compliance standards, Optimise Cyber Solutions strives to keep our clients safeguarded today, tomorrow and beyond.
