Tag Archives: cybersecurity

Cyber, Digital, and Tech: Understanding the West Midlands Perspective

In the West Midlands, the definitions and boundaries of Cyber, Digital, and Tech are more than just academic semantics; they influence policy, investment decisions, and how the region positions itself on the national and global stage. While the rest of the UK and many parts of the world have moved towards recognising cyber as a distinct and critical sector, in the West Midlands, it still largely sits within the broader digital and technology categories.

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The Power of Precision: How Defining Your Ideal Customer Drives Growth

In the world of scaling a business, particularly in SaaS and cybersecurity, one of the biggest challenges is not just acquiring customers but acquiring the right customers. In a recent session, Richard Blundell, co-founder of Venture and a former executive at MessageLabs, shared hard-earned lessons from his experience scaling businesses, including MessageLabs’ remarkable journey from startup to a $695 million acquisition by Symantec.

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Mastering Startup Finance: A Guide to Managing Cash Flow, Investment, and Growth

For many startup founders, finance can feel like a maze of spreadsheets, projections, and investor expectations. But at its core, startup finance revolves around a few fundamental principles: where money comes from, how it is spent, and how to maximize returns while maintaining financial stability.

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From Founder to CEO: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Resilience

For any startup founder, the journey from idea to execution is filled with challenges. However, the biggest transformation isn’t just in scaling a business, it’s in evolving from a founder into a CEO.

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Expanding to the US: Lessons from Internationalization Experts

International expansion is a significant milestone for any startup, but it comes with its own set of complexities. In a recent discussion led by John Kinson, an experienced consultant specializing in global market entry and startup scaling, founders and executives explored the realities of expanding into the US. The conversation covered market readiness, legal and regulatory considerations, hiring strategies, and the cultural nuances that can make or break a company’s success overseas.

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Disability Inclusion in the Workplace: Key Takeaways from Disability Rights UK’s Talk

Disability inclusion is a vital yet often misunderstood aspect of workplace diversity. In a recent session hosted at Plexal, Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK, provided valuable insights into what it means to create a truly inclusive work environment. His talk covered the social model of disability, legal obligations under the Equality Act, workplace adjustments, and practical steps businesses can take to foster inclusivity.

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Scaling a Cyber Intelligence Business: Lessons from Crisp’s Growth Journey with John-Orr Hanna

Scaling a company from a small team to a global market leader is a challenge that requires smart hiring, a robust governance model, and a deep understanding of customer needs. In a recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside, John-Orr Hanna, former Chief Intelligence Officer at Crisp, shared his experience of growing the company from a handful of analysts to over 140 employees and achieving a 15x business expansion in four years.

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Scaling Success: The TryHackMe Journey with Co-founder Ashu Savani

Building a successful startup requires more than just a great idea—it takes execution, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to understanding your customers. This was the key takeaway from the recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside session with Ashu Savani, co-founder of TryHackMe, a cybersecurity training platform that has grown into a 20-million-dollar revenue business without any external investment.

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Building and Maintaining Momentum in B2B Sales: A Strategic Approach

B2B sales is challenging, now more than ever. Tightening budgets, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive landscape mean sales teams must be more strategic than ever in how they generate and sustain momentum. In a recent Cyber Runway session, Tom Glason, CEO of ScaleWise, shared insights on optimizing B2B sales strategies. With over 20 years of experience in B2B tech and leadership roles across startups and scaleups, Tom provided a roadmap for improving sales processes, from effective discovery calls to engaging product demos.

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Neurodiversity and Cyber: Understanding One in Five of Your Industry with Mary Welton of Plexal

Neurodiversity is a vital consideration in cybersecurity, with one in five professionals in the industry identifying as neurodivergent. This article, based on a Cyber Runway: Scale session led by a Plexal Innovation Associate, explores the importance of neurodiversity, common misconceptions, and practical ways to support neurodivergent employees while maximizing their unique strengths.

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Cyber Runway: Scale 4.0 – Key Updates and Opportunities for Startups – New Year Briefing Notes

This article summarizes key announcements and discussions from the latest Cyber Runway: Scale session, including updates on the new Founders Forum, upcoming trade missions, regional events, and opportunities for startups to engage with investors and government stakeholders.

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The History and Evolution of Password Cracking Software

Passwords have long been the cornerstone of digital security, serving as the primary means to safeguard data and systems. Yet, alongside their evolution, the tools designed to test and exploit passwords have grown increasingly sophisticated. Password cracking software, born out of academic curiosity and ethical security practices, has also become a weapon for malicious actors. This article traces the history and evolution of password cracking software, highlighting key innovations, influential figures, and the ever-present ethical tension within this field.

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Driving Cyber Resilience in the Defence Supply Chain: Summary of Key Actions and Recommendations and Some Thoughts

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued a call to action for Defence industry CEOs and Defence Leads, underlining the critical importance of enhancing cyber resilience across the Defence supply chain, “Letter from the Second Permanent Secretary, DG Chief Information Officer and DG Commercial to Defence industry CEOs/Defence Leads“. The letter, signed by Paul Lincoln, Second Permanent Secretary; Charles Forte, DG Chief Information Officer; and Andrew Forzani, DG Commercial, stresses the heightened global cyber threat landscape and the need for immediate and robust action to safeguard the UK’s Defence capabilities.

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IT: Plumbing or Business Development?

This article explores the dual role of IT in organisations, balancing foundational “plumbing” functions with innovative business development. It discusses Gartner’s bimodal IT framework, highlighting the operational stability provided by Mode 1 and the experimental growth enabled by Mode 2. Topics such as cost centres versus profit centres, cybersecurity investment, and the integration of IT and OT are examined to underline the necessity of a balanced approach. The conclusion emphasises the importance of aligning these roles for operational efficiency and strategic growth.

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Exploring the Link Between Cyber-Dependent Crime and Autism: A Critical Analysis

This article reviews a study exploring links between autistic-like traits, autism, and cyber-dependent crimes. Findings show autistic-like traits increase cyber-crime risk, while autism reduces it. Advanced digital skills are a key factor. The study highlights opportunities for autistic individuals in cybersecurity but is limited by self-reported data and sample representation. Further research is needed to clarify causal links and broader impacts.

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Building a Team and Structure for Series A Growth

Lucy Bulley joined the Cyber Runway Scale programme to discuss the critical elements of team-building and organisational structure when preparing for Series A funding. She shared practical insights on hiring strategies, leadership development, and scaling operations to support high-growth cybersecurity startups.

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Marketing for Deal Generation: Insights from Tom Glason and Munya Hoto

In this Cyber Runway Scale session, Tom Glason and Munya Hoto of ScaleWise shared insights into how startups can leverage marketing to attract investment and strategic partnerships. The discussion covered branding, lead generation, and digital strategies that drive deal flow for early-stage cyber companies.

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Building Partnerships with Nicole Bucala

This article summarises Nicole Bucala’s insights on building effective partnerships in the fragmented cybersecurity industry, shared during the Cyber Runway: Scale programme. It explores key strategies, including sell-through, sell-with, and ecosystem integrations, alongside practical advice for startups on fostering relationships, creating mutual value, and timing partnerships effectively.

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Building Cybersecurity for SMEs: Lessons from Cyber Smart’s Jamie Akhtar

In this fireside chat, Jamie Akhtar shared the journey of building Cyber Smart, his lessons in scaling, fundraising, and pivoting the business to focus on cyber hygiene for SMEs. Learn how he navigated the ups and downs of the startup world.

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Cracking Government and SME Markets: Customer Acquisition Insights from Adie Holt

Adie Holt explored the complexities of working with government and SME clients, offering practical advice for navigating long sales cycles, building strategic relationships, and overcoming procurement challenges in the Cyber Runway: Scale accelerator.

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