Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Cyber Essentials Assessor and Technical Editor

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: November 2022

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A: Most of my time is spent assessing Cyber Essentials applications and supporting applicants through the process. I also write and refine documentation, articles, and social media posts. Finally, I am an organiser and host of the monthly ID Cyber Sessions series, in which we interview people within and/or of interest to the cyber security community.

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A: It's a recurring answer for this question, but my teammates! They're friendly, supportive, and always happy to brainstorm anything tricky that comes up.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: I focused on linguistics at university and then spent half a decade working in publishing, but always had a side-interest in security. I used my annual leave to tag along to conferences, learned things for fun on TryHackMe, made friends within the industry, and, just when I began to feel the time was right for me to leave publishing, the stars aligned and a suitable post became available at ID Cyber. I've been here over a year now and have never regretted taking the leap.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Reading, video games, and music. I'm that person who takes five books on a weekend trip 'just in case', who'll happily plough 70 hours into a PlayStation game and then go straight into New Game+, and who can't stop acquiring instruments (everything from piccolo and piano to didgeridoo and viola), despite the fact they are most definitely amateur at the vast majority of them.

Q: What's your favourite dinosaur?

A: Since I work with words, I should probably say Thesaurus... but it's Compsognathus. They're about the same height as a chicken so I think they're really cute (if a little bitey).

Q: Is there a book, blog, or podcast you'd like to recommend?

A: Jamie Bartlett's 'The Missing Cryptoqueen' — a really engaging overview of a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme and its founder, who's one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Cyber Essentials and Cyber Assurance Assessor

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: July 2023

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A: Though I'm no longer the newbie, I am relatively fresh here! I am one of the Cyber Essentials and Cyber Assurance assessors at ID Cyber. As the business expands, I'm on the hunt for innovative ideas to inspire and develop training for new starts. I'm always on the lookout for ways to streamline processes or tasks 'cause... Why not make something easier if it can be?!

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A: Straight out the door, and I know almost everyone so far has said this but... it's the team. The culture, the community. We've really got something special at ID Cyber. It's the kind of place you imagine an office to be before you're a "grown-up".

By far, the best place I've ever worked and I'm practically just in the door!

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: I used to work as an insurance fraud investigator but the way my brain processes information makes me want to investigate everything deeper, deeper, and deeper. At 27 I thought it was too late for me to change careers or reskill. I was wrong.

I'd always regretted not going to university and then lockdown hit. Finally, enough time to focus on improving me! I knew I had to find something that'd engage my brain and activate that neurodivergent hyperfocus superpower. For me, that was cyber security!

Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in working in cyber security?

A: It's a daunting sounding industry and it sounds impenetrable from the outside but I'd start with local events, read things online, keep on top of what's happening in the news. Or come along to Hack Thursdays — come meet some of the people in the industry and listen to what they have to say!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: What spare time? Ha!

If I was to list everything I try to do you might be reading this for a long time. I've got an amazing wee fashionable whippet called Fran who demands a lot of attention and cuddles (which I'm only too happy to give), I'm re-learning how to play guitar, I love going to the gym, I'm trying to cram as many different languages into my brain as humanly possible and my wife and I love to absolutely binge watch thriller shows. As the dark nights start to creep in I'm reading more books than I could possibly keep track of!

Q: What’s your favourite genre of music?

A: I truly love every kind of music but my absolute favourite is any form of extreme metal. Anything that sounds like a chainsaw in a bin, falling down some stairs... during a demolition. Pure, cacophonous noise. It sings to my soul!

Q: Who's your favourite superhero?

A: THOR! The God of Thunder. I'm obsessed with anything remotely Viking related. Maybe it's because I grew up by the sea... Maybe I just want my own Mjolnir.

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Cyber Security Assessor and Team Lead

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: December 2019

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A: I carry out Cyber Essentials assessments and also lead our team of assessors, making sure that they're supported, have all the information they need, and that applications are on track.

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A: I know everyone else has said this, but I love our team.    

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: During my time as a Data Centre Infrastructure Manager, I had the opportunity to gain deep insights into the critical importance of securing sensitive data and maintaining the integrity of IT systems. I was responsible for ensuring the seamless operation of the data centre, which included implementing robust security measures to safeguard the infrastructure and data against potential threats. I found the security aspect of the job really interesting and have focused my attention there ever since.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I spend a lot of time in the gym and love going on holiday, especially to warm places. I also try to go to Iraq when I can — I moved from Iraq to Scotland two decades ago, but I still have a lot of family and friends there who I love to visit. I also spend a lot of time with my family and friends in Scotland.

Q: Is there a book, blog, or podcast you'd like to recommend?

A: ID Cyber Sessions... ;-)

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Business Support Administrator

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: July 2023

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A:I deal with the admin side of things, like taking calls and setting up new customer accounts.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: The team are great and the work is interesting. I enjoy doing courses to further my knowledge on the subject to better help customers — I'm currently working my way through the Network Defense Essentials course.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I have 3 horses who take up most of my time. They're essentially giant dogs since they're so lovable.

Q: What's your favourite dinosaur?

A: Diplodocus or Velociraptor

Q: Who's your favourite superhero? 

A: Superman, but only Henry Cavill

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Cyber Essentials Assessor

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: August 2022

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A: No, because I'd have to kill you :-) ... I’m a Cyber Essentials Assessor and I’m also a co-host of ID Cyber Sessions.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: After experiencing WannaCry ransomware spreading across a whole organisation and looking into how it was able to spread like it did, I became hooked on security and how simple tweaks to your policies can stop malicious actors in their tracks.

Q: What advice do you have for anyone interested in working in cyber security?

A: Cyber security has many different areas so don’t be put off if you’re not technical. Security teams are made up of many skillsets. Something you have done in a past career will be transferable to cyber security.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like drumming (I play with several samba bands around Glasgow), spending time with my family, and going on walks with my dog.

Q: What's your favourite dinosaur?

A: Doyouthinkhesaurus ;-)

Q: Who's your favourite superhero? 

A: Batman

Q: Is there a book, blog, or podcast you'd like to recommend?

A: For great cyber security stories: Darknet Diaries

For interviews with the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers: Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett.

IMAGE CREDIT: Zul Bhatia

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A: Business Manager

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A: February 2016

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A: I look after the day-to-day running of the office, as well as filming and editing anything that’s needed, fixing anything that’s broken, and looking after our great team.

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A: My favourite part of ID Cyber is our team. I'm so proud of every one of them.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A: I started in cyber security after meeting Cary Hendricks at a Hallowe'en party... I will leave it there!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I play drums in a band called Bits & Pieces and have four huskies to look after.

Q: What's your favourite dinosaur?

A: Barney

Q: Who's your favourite superhero?

A: Spider-Man

Q: Is there a book, blog, or podcast you'd like to recommend?

A: ID Cyber Sessions!

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A:Cyber Essentials Plus Assessor

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A:May 2021

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A:I work day to day auditing companies from various backgrounds on their computer security against the IASME Cyber Essentials scheme.

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A:Being part of a close team that are willing to work together, have a laugh, and learn.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A:I always had an interest in computers and technology, then I saw the scale at which cyber security was growing and decided to jump on the opportunity to learn more about the cyber security aspect of computers and technology. I graduated from GCU with a 2:1 Honours in Cyber Security, and ID Cyber Solutions has been my first cyber job since graduating.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I like to fly my DJI drone around various points in Scotland, such as Glencoe and Oban. I also like to play the drums.

Q: What's your favourite band?

A: Hmm there's so many, but my top 3 are Lamb of God, Sabaton, and Lovebites.

Q: Is there a book, blog, or podcast you'd like to recommend?

A: My favourite podcasts are Lore and The NoSleep Podcast.

Curious who's on the other end of the phone or helping you through your Cyber Essentials certification? Find out through our Meet the Team series.

Q: What is your role at ID Cyber?

A:Business Support Administrator

Q: When did you join ID Cyber?

A:September 2021

Q: Can you describe your role at ID Cyber?

A:My role is to assist with the day-to-day running of the office. From the first point of contact to billing queries and everything admin in-between.

Q: What's your favourite thing about working at ID Cyber?

A:So cliche, but it has to be the team! I learn so much, every day's a school day.

Q: How did you end up working in cyber security?

A:My background is in administration. Previously I was a supervisor within an accountancy firm but I wanted a new challenge. I'm not technical but always had an interest in how things work behind the scenes and the psychology behind what we do and why. So, here I am 😊

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: In my spare time, I love being outdoors, so you'll normally find me around Loch Lomond or further north, escaping the city! I also do cold water therapy and began practising meditation.

Q: What's your favourite dinosaur?

A: Cera (The Land Before Time, 1988)