Executive Cyber Security Leadership for Scaling Businesses.
James Griffiths
Principal Consultant
With over 25 years of experience in IT and cyber security, James brings a disciplined, strategic approach to technical leadership. His foundational expertise was forged during 17 years in the British Army in the Royal Corps of Signals, serving as a Foreman of Signals Information Systems.
Post-military, James co-founded Cyber Security Associates (CSA Cyber) in Gloucester. As Technical Director, he grew the firm from two founders to a ~100-person, £15mil + operation, leading the technical strategy for its Security Operations Centre (SOC), Consultancy Practice and Offensive Security offerings. During this time enabling the business to achieve CREST accreditation, membership of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) and achive certification in Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO/IEC 27001, 9001 and 42001.
Today, through UtopianKnight Consultancy, James provides independent, vendor-neutral advice. He bridges the critical gap between complex technical risk and board-level business strategy, delivering clarity, compliance, and cyber resilience to organisations navigating growth and transformation.
25+
Years of Cyber & IT Expertise
Strategic security without the vendor bias.
We don't sell software. We provide independent, authoritative advice to protect your assets and enable business growth.
Fractional vCISO & vCTO
Executive-level technology and security leadership on a retained basis. Aligning your IT and cyber strategy directly with business objectives without the full-time executive cost.
OT/ICS Security
Specialised security strategies for Operational Technology and Industrial Control Systems, protecting critical infrastructure from emerging cyber threats.
Compliance & Certification
Pragmatic implementation guidance for ISO/IEC 27001, Cyber Essentials, and Defence Cyber Certification, turning compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage.
AI & Innovation Strategy
Safely exploring and integrating AI-augmented security and digital transformation initiatives while managing the unique risks these new technologies introduce.
Board-Level Reporting
Translating complex technical vulnerabilities into clear business risk. Enabling boards to make informed, strategic decisions on cyber investments.
Supplier & Risk Reviews
Independent technical risk reviews of your supply chain and third-party vendors. Objective assurance with zero upselling bias.
A disciplined engagement model.
Methodical, transparent, and focused on delivering measurable business value.
Discovery Call
A free, confidential discussion to understand your current business landscape, immediate challenges, and long-term goals.
Technical Review
A deep dive into your existing infrastructure, processes, and risk posture to establish a clear, unvarnished baseline.
Strategic Roadmap
Development of a pragmatic, prioritised cyber security strategy aligned precisely with your business objectives and budget.
Partnership
Ongoing execution via a retained vCISO/vCTO engagement or distinct project-based delivery, ensuring continuous resilience.
What a vCISO and vCTO actually deliver.
Whether you need security leadership, technology leadership, or both, the goal is the same: tangible business outcomes, not just advisory reports.
A measurably stronger security posture
Clear visibility of your real risk landscape, with prioritised remediation that closes the gaps attackers actually exploit, not just a compliance checklist.
Smoother, quicker accreditation
A pragmatic path to Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO/IEC 27001 and sector-specific accreditations, run by someone who has taken organisations through the process before.
Cyber and technology risk the board actually understands
Technical risk translated into commercial terms, so directors can make informed investment decisions instead of taking security on faith.
Due diligence you can withstand
Security and technology foundations that hold up to scrutiny from investors, acquirers, and enterprise customers during funding rounds or M&A.
Technology strategy that serves the business
An IT and security roadmap built around your commercial goals and budget, not vendor agendas, so every pound spent moves the business forward.
C-suite expertise without the C-suite overhead
The strategic judgement of a CISO and CTO, delivered on a fractional basis, so you get senior leadership at a fraction of the cost of two full-time hires.
Expertise tailored for critical transition points.
SMEs without a full-time CTO
Gain the strategic direction of an experienced executive to guide technical decisions without the six-figure salary commitment.
Scaling Businesses
Preparing for investment, acquisition, or rapid growth requires robust security and compliance baselines. We build foundations that scale.
Leadership & Boards
Get independent, vendor-agnostic advice. We translate deep technical risks into commercial realities so boards can make informed decisions.
Digital Innovators
Organisations exploring AI and digital transformation. We ensure innovation doesn't outpace your security posture.
Private Equity Firms
Benchmark and assess portfolio companies against security and technology maturity frameworks, giving you clear visibility of risk across your investments before and after acquisition.
MSPs & MSSPs
Get the most from your technology stack. We help managed service providers unlock the value of automation and AI to improve margins, reduce manual effort, and strengthen service delivery.
Common questions.
What is a vCISO and a vCTO?
A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) provides board-level cyber security strategy, guidance, and leadership on a fractional or part-time basis, while a Virtual Chief Technology Officer (vCTO) provides the same level of executive leadership for technology strategy, architecture, and delivery. Some organisations need both disciplines combined, while others just need one. James Griffiths can act as either or both, depending on what the business requires, giving it senior executive leadership without the cost of a full-time hire.
Do I need a vCISO, a vCTO, or both?
It depends on the gap in your leadership team. If your priority is security posture, risk, compliance, or certification, a vCISO is the right fit. If it's technology strategy, architecture, or engineering leadership, a vCTO is the right fit. Many scaling businesses need both perspectives but can't justify two full-time executives, which is where a combined vCISO/vCTO engagement adds the most value. James Griffiths works with clients to identify the right scope, whether that's one role, both, or a blend tailored to the business.
How is UtopianKnight Consultancy different from a large security firm?
UtopianKnight Consultancy is James Griffiths working directly with clients, drawing on 25+ years of hands-on experience including 17 years in the British Army in the Royal Corps of Signals and co-founding and scaling a cyber security firm to a ~100-person, £15mil+ operation with CREST accreditation, MISA membership, and Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO/IEC 27001, 9001 and 42001 certification. Clients get genuine executive-level expertise without the overhead, upselling, or account-management layers of a large consultancy.
Secure your strategic advantage.
Ready for no-nonsense, independent cyber security advice? Reach out to schedule a confidential discovery call with James Griffiths.