Each week we interview one of our members to find out a bit more about them and their work in the Greater Manchester digital sphere. This week we're speaking with the IT security consultants, Cognitous.
What does your organisation do?
Cognitous protects businesses from today’s most common forms of crime – fraud and cybercrime. Fraud and cybercrime cost UK businesses and consumers billions every year and in some cases damage businesses and their reputation beyond repair.
We protect businesses through a combination of training, staff augmentation, and cyber attack simulation (also known as penetration testing).
We offer engaging and industry-leading cyber security training to everyone from non-technical staff whose work involves the use of computers, through to highly technical and security-savvy developers who need to maintain cutting edge knowledge of the latest threats to enable them to build robust and secure systems.
What do you think is currently the biggest issue facing the digital and tech industry?
Cyber security. In this age of digital transformation many businesses underestimate the need for cyber security and often take the stance that a breach won’t happen to them. Unfortunately, the last couple of years have seen organisations of all sizes devastated by security breaches which can originate both inside and outside of affected organisations. From start-ups, to the likes of Mossack Fonseca – a 41-year old law firm that was unable to recover from a data breach and shut down earlier this year.
What is your organisation’s biggest achievement?
We’re incredibly proud of the great feedback we receive for our training courses and the fact that we consistently receive the same level of great feedback from both non-technical training candidates right through to the most security-savvy developers we train.
What would you consider to be your organisation’s biggest challenge?
Despite the stories that continue to make it into the news, our biggest challenge is that most people don’t understand cyber security or the need for it. There’s a misconception amongst many that antivirus and other security products are a panacea. Others don’t realise how technically complex security is, and that it’s very much a full-time job and profession in its own right.
What do you think the future looks like for Manchester’s digital and tech sector?
The future is exciting for Manchester! We have a leading university with a solid history in technology and there’s a big push from councils and private organisations alike for digital growth and transformation. Manchester has always had a lot of entrepreneurial spirit so it’s practically inevitable that there are exciting developments on the horizon for Manchester’s digital and tech sector.
Tell us something we might not know about your company?
We’re strong supporters of charity and a patron of the Hand on Heart Charity who provide defibrillators to schools and communities. Cognitous founder Nicky Bloor recently led a team on the 24 hour National Three Peaks Challenge during which the team successfully hiked up and down Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Mount Snowdon in 22 hours and 48 minutes (mostly in searing heat!) and collectively raised over £1,500 for charity.
