About us.
Key areas of expertise
Our consultants have over fifty years of collective experience in a wide range of sectors, ranging from insurance and telecommunications, through to local and central government.
We’ve all started at the bottom in our careers, so have an innate ability to understand the challenges that all part of the organisation face, and have worked in SME organisations, through to FTSE 100 and government departments.
Our processes are honed through having to work for the budgets that we have secured in our careers, and this drives our passion to work collaboratively with our clients.
01
SME
We have extensive experience working with Small to medium organisations across a range of sectors.
Our consultants have all worked within these types of organisations and understand that there is a unique approach required to work within this environment.
02
Telecommunications
Our consultants have over 12 years of experience writing and delivering compliance frameworks impacting telcos, and 20 years delivering technical services.
Our consultants are experienced working in and with telecoms providers within fixed and mobile services, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that Cloud-native and Software-defined solutions bring to the sector.
03
Local government
We have worked within local government, advising their Information Assurance Processes, and also delivered technical solutions to support county-wide deployments.
Our consultants have delivered one of the first Public Services Network services, and maintain the impetus into the Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) and beyond.
04
Central government
We have extensive experience in delivery to HMG clients ranging from security operational design, risk management, governance and compliance, including managing NIS regulations.
Our consultants have operated within six departments, including the Cabinet and Home office – many times at senior leadership level.
05
Healthcare
We are experienced in the delivery of Health and Social Care Network compliance, and compliance network solutions, having the author as one of our consultants.
Also have extensive knowledge of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit.
06
Supply chain
At present, spreadsheet overload is taking valuable time away from suppliers. We have processes to ensure that suppliers can effectively show their compliance to meet the needs of their customers, allowing them to stabilise the impact on their businesses.
For customers assessing their supply chain, we move beyond the myriad of portals to define outcomes for their supply chain to meet, based on the risks and gaps they have identified.
Our Amazing Team
Our consultants are highly experienced and well-versed in a variety of technical and non-technical disciplines. Trust in our expertise to achieve the best outcome for your business.
Director of Professional Services
Des Ward
Des has been working in the Information Risk Management industry for over 30 years. His background and skillset ranges from the technical to the non-technical through forensics and pen-testing to risk assessment and corporate governance. This allows him to interface between the technologists and the business to facilitate effective communication and understanding between them; achieving compliance in line with business goals.
His experience encompasses compliance programmes for HMG and FTSE 100 companies relating to the majority of legislation and regulation; including the Telecoms Security Framework (commonly known as the TSA), Health and Social Care Network (HSCN), PSN Codes of Practice, IA Maturity Model, Security Policy Framework, Hannigan Review, Data Protection Act 2018/1998, FSA guidelines, Payment Card Data Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and the ISO 27000 series of standards and guidelines.
Des’s goals are to build on his wide-ranging experience across different vertical industry sectors to drive a common understanding; where the benefits from effective information risk management can be understood, measured and valued.
More recently, Des has been involved in writing or implementing network compliance frameworks, being the author of the HCSN Compliance Operating Model, co-author and outgoing chair of CAS(T), and heavily involved in the delivery of the PSN compliance approaches.
Des sits as an advisor to NHS Digital on HSCN compliance, and also sits on the BSi RM1/3 e-Committee for risk and governance.
Cyber Risk Consultant
Matt Villion
With over two decades entrenched in the cybersecurity realm, Matt Villion emerges as a seasoned professional acclaimed for his strategic prowess and technical proficiency. Throughout his distinguished career, Matt has assumed pivotal leadership roles within esteemed organizations such as National Highways and the HMG Cabinet Office. His tenure has been marked by the crafting and execution of cybersecurity strategies, spearheading transformative endeavors, and offering strategic counsel to executive stakeholders.
Matt’s unparalleled blend of technical acuity and strategic foresight distinguishes him in the cybersecurity landscape. His adeptness at navigating intricate challenges with precision and foresight has established him as a trusted authority and leader within the field.
In today’s landscape fraught with cybersecurity perils, Matt Villion’s presence within an organization offers a beacon of assurance. His unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his fervent drive for innovation, equips organizations of all sizes to traverse the ever-shifting cybersecurity terrain with confidence and resilience.
In summation, Matt Villion’s unwavering dedication to excellence, augmented by his extensive experience and demonstrable track record of success, positions him as a formidable stalwart in the cybersecurity domain. With Matt steering the ship, organizations can rest assured that their cybersecurity initiatives are helmed by an individual of unparalleled capability and commitment.
Technical Consultant
Ollie Anderson
With an impressive background in business technology, information security, and transformational expertise, Ollie is a highly accomplished Technical Consultant at Business Secure. He possesses a rich blend of customer-facing IT leadership skills and a track record of success across various communication market sectors.
A leader known for fostering an inclusive work culture, Ollie’s leadership prowess was recognized with a 3-star manager rating (the highest score possible) in the Best Companies 2023 awards. This achievement underscores his ability to cultivate a team environment that is both hyper-focused and deeply engaged.
Ollie’s responsibility extends to understanding technology from every aspect of his teams, enabling him to effectively allocate the right resources to new projects or issues. His professional, approachable management style, coupled with a positive, can-do attitude, has a significant impact on his working environment.
A creative thinker and an effective communicator, Ollie has the unique ability to demystify complex technical concepts for a general audience, adding dynamism and clarity to any professional setting.
His specialties include Leadership, Cultural Change, Strategy & Transformation, Automation, Delivery Improvement, Service Desk, 24×7 Operations, Service Management, SolarWinds, ITIL, CAS-T/IL2-3, PSN Incident & Problem Management, Change & Configuration Management, Operations (Monitoring & fault fix strategy), process improvement, and purchasing/commercial negotiation. Ollie’s diverse skill set and extensive experience make him a valuable asset to Business Secure and its clientele.