In CyberVersed episode 46 Mandy Haeburn-Little is joined by Jamie Akhtar, Co-Founder and CEO of our newest National Ambassador, CyberSmart, a leading cyber security specialist. They are ideally suited as a National Ambassador company. With over 1,000 Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and over 6,000 SME customers in the UK, they are primed to act as an enabler to this crucial sector within the digital economy. In partnering with NCRCG, CyberSmart seeks to empower MSPs and SMEs around cyber resilience and signpost the support offered by the CRC Network and the national technical authority, NCSC.

Jamie begins by explaining what CyberSmart is and what it does, highlighting their 'obsession' with making cyber security more accessible for SMEs. He explains what he means when he says emotion is one of the great drivers in the business, and why their 'relentless pursuit' is to solve the cyber security problem.

The two talk about company culture, and Jamie provides insight into why culture is so vital to CyberSmart, as it should be for every organisation, empowering everyone to grow by investing in people. How they deliver - through teamwork, drawing on a broad range of skills and experience to make change happen. He goes on to define teamwork as being able to ask for help when you need it and being willing to assist when someone else needs it. For CyberSmart, it's about reflecting on what you have been doing and exploring ways to improve for the benefit of our customers.

Importantly, Jamie points out that they have actively developed the culture rather than simply letting it evolve.

Regarding MSPs, he explains why he believes they are fundamental to solving these challenges: they have access to and can influence many SMEs in their client portfolios. Understanding where the partner is and what they do with their customers. Who are you working with where security is not investable enough, and how can we help the partner provide better solutions to their customers.

Mandy and Jamie go on to have a fascinating chat about Cognitive Bias in Cyber Psychology. It's a brief conversation Mandy would like to revisit with him in the future. Still, he does share nuggets to whet the appetite, such as how some people believe the internet provides people the opportunity to create a different version of themselves. Dissociation allows them to say things they wouldn't in real life. For example, he cites how teenagers committing cybercrimes is, in many ways, a version of this, where people are disconnected and further removed from a moral compass.

Both Jamie and Mandy agreed that it's a fascinating space; understanding why people are involved in cybercrime is part of the solution, and how intervention could win around some of the bright talent to do positive cyber work.

Jamie also turns the tables on Mandy and becomes the interviewer; he asks, "What's the itch you were trying to scratch when you got into cyber?" to which Mandy provides insight into her passion for all things cyber.

To finish, Jamie explains why he's never been more concerned or more excited about the future. Concern stems from the increasing sophistication of cybercrime, excitement comes from the fact that cyber is very much part of the conversation in the UK and now has a national voice, acknowledging that recognition of the problem has never been greater.