Cybata Turns 10 – A Decade of Data, Cyber, and Collaboration
Wow, we’ve made it – Cybata is 10 years in business today – 15 August!
Until very recently, I had forgotten this important milestone was on the horizon. To celebrate, I’m taking the day off!
I’m so pleased and excited to be helping key business stakeholders navigate the digital world so Data Subjects are protected, and their organisations can be as effective and efficient as they want to be. I believe these two outcomes are compatible with great design, planning, and engineering.
This business will continue until I decide to retire!
A Thank You to the People Who Made This Possible
I want to thank everyone who have been on this journey with me. Whilst I may have forgotten names, please don’t think I have forgotten any of the contributions that have allowed us to be where we are at today.
How It Started
After a career that began in 1982 at BT, I took the plunge in 2015 to start my business.
Just a year in, GDPR began to gain wider prominence, and I realised that the skills, knowledge, and experience I had built over a 43-year corporate career were a perfect fit for this new world (pre-COVID and pre-AI-for-the-masses).
43 Years in the Digital World
I helped implement some of the first digital radio and transmission systems in BT’s network (remember Cellnet?).
My father, a BT engineer/manager, deployed the first digital systems for BT in Wales. I left BT to join Mercury Communications, then moved to Newbridge Networks and Chronos Technology.
During these years, I met some incredible technical and sales support people, including Albert Saikaley, Hugh Evans, Martin Latewood, Martin Hancox, Mike Dowell, Tony Jenkins, Charles Curry Christian Farrow Steve Newcombe and many more.
Digital software, systems, and hardware are in my bones and DNA.
The Pivot
In 2017, with the help of an incredibly generous man – John Davies MBE, PhD, FCIIS of Pervade Software – I pivoted the business.
John helped me understand GDPR, allowed me to join his courses, and even lead courses using his material. Thank you, John.
Early projects saw me working with Tony Dowling, Graham L Morgan, and Jody Reid – exciting times.
Long-Term Commitment
Many who entered the market between 2017–2019 were in it for a quick buck. From the start, I intended for data protection and GDPR to form the core of Cybata – a long-term commitment.
To this day, I’m still known in South Wales as “The GDPR Guy.”
What’s in a Name?
Cyber + Data = Cybata Ltd.
We don’t believe you can divorce these topics, so the name is perfect – and future-proofed as technology and client needs evolve. This name was the brainchild of my son, Ben Roberts, in 2018, when we rebranded from BD Research Ltd.
Growth and Resilience
We survived COVID-19, despite, like many other micro businesses, receiving no help from UK PLC.
It was a worrying time, but we came through. As demand grew, we developed to work alongside other specialists, experts, and consultancies where collaboration made sense. Thank you to organisations like the EVO Networking group run by Jamie Breese and Business Butlers run by Bhupinder Sidhu who provided a platforms for many small businesses and business owners to stay connected and offer their services in this tough days.
Clients
I’ve been fortunate to work across many sectors, including Sports, Manufacturing, Health and Care, MSPs, Charity, Retail to name a few.
Some clients had no dedicated DPO or data protection expertise, while others had highly experienced DPOs with vast industry knowledge.
A Memorable Moment – Anxiety UK
One memorable moment from across the years was when we worked with Anxiety UK on a major data security review. They kindly shared this feedback:
“Chris assisted Anxiety UK by providing technical expertise for a recent data security review project which entailed reviewing security arrangements across a range of platforms and comprehensively overhauling the charity’s IT policy. Chris has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and exhibited a real ‘can-do’ approach to the work; operating in an approachable, efficient and friendly manner.” – Nicky Lidbetter, CEO, Anxiety UK
Feedback like this means the world to us because it shows we’re doing more than just delivering a service – we’re making life easier for the people who trust us.
Helping in a Crisis – Commonwealth Games England
Another highlight came when we worked with Commonwealth Games England following a data breach caused by a phishing email sent by a staff member. They shared this feedback:
“I would highly recommend Cybata’s services. We engaged Cybata’s support when we became aware of a data breach caused by a phishing email sent by one of our staff. Chris was immediately available to support. He provided a calm and methodical approach to how best to handle the incident, including how to respond to the ICO. The outcome was that both the ICO and our insurers were satisfied by our actions. Cybata provided further support, including how to investigate the cause and potential scale of the breach. This information has been used by our IT team to improve internal processes so that data issues such as this can be avoided in the future.” – Ben Shepherd, Chief Operating Officer, Commonwealth Games England
Moments like this reinforce our mission: to protect data, reduce risk, and give organisations the confidence to move forward.
Collaboration Is Key
Collaboration is key, and I’ve been privileged to work with exceptional organisations and talented individuals. Special mentions include: Rob Klarner MBCS, Clare Paterson Dave Wylie, Row-ENN-a Fielding (she/her), Mostyn Thomas NCSC CCP, Darren Rowley, Tim Burnett, Tash Whitaker, Victoria Ward, Rachel Rowlands, Brian Green, Neil O’Brien Matthew Phillips, Paul Strout, Victoria Thorpe, Becca James, Charlotte Lord, Phil Tilley, Barry Moult, Tim Turner, Tim Clements, Richard Lewis, Paul Croker, R T O’Brien, Daniel Welling and the True Connectors.
Exceptional Experts
I’m grateful to the many experts who have shared advice and support over the years. You’ve shaped Cybata’s journey, and I value you all. You should have been tagged elsewhere in this article.
The Wider Team
It’s not just the experts and collaborators I’m thankful for…
Of course, none of this would be possible without the rest of the Cybata team.
You are the backbone of everything the organisation has achieved, the people who put in the hours, solve the problems, and keep our clients feeling confident and supported. Your dedication, expertise, and sense of humour make this work not only possible but enjoyable.
Whether you’ve been here from the start or joined along the way, or supported a single project, you’ve helped shape Cybata into the trusted, collaborative business it is today. Thank you – you’re the reason we’ve made it to 10 years and why I’m so excited for the next 10!
Education vs Training
A big thank you to Row-ENN-a Fielding (she/her), who taught me the difference between education and training.
I enjoy educating clients, helping them build their capacity and capability to think through digital and data protection challenges.
This week, our new Data Protection, GDPR, Cyber/AI game went to the printers for the first 25 units – the result of five years of development. I’m chuffed to bits it’ll be in clients’ hands this September.
Charitable Support – The Legacy Lounge
What legacy are we leaving behind? For many, there’s no plan for their digital legacy, leaving loved ones with a digital mess when they die.
Digital literacy is poor across the UK, so I’m proud to be working with Emma ( Em ) Melrose of The Legacy Lounge (https://thelegacylounge.co.uk/) to help people get their digital affairs in order.
Looking Ahead
I love my work (well, most of it!).
The work I enjoy most is being in a room, physical or digital, solving problems with clients and collaborators. Whether it’s education and training, data mapping/RoPA building, policy and procedure implementation, or supporting clients through data breaches.
Here’s to the next decade!
