FluidOne accelerates into the Connected Cloud with investment in Dedicated Cyber Security Specialist, CSA

Market leading network aggregator, FluidOne has made a strategic investment in dedicated cyber security specialist, Cyber Security Associates Ltd (CSA), on its journey to becoming the best quality Connected Cloud Solutions Provider to UK Businesses, building on its market leading connectivity services, delivered via its national fibre network Platform One.

Founded in 2013 by David Woodfine, Managing Director, and James Griffiths, Technical Director, CSA was born in cyber, and the founders boast over 50 years of combined military and cyber experience between them. Previous projects cover a range of sectors including the UK Government's Ministry of Defence as well as The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, private clients such as the Bank of England and a number of commercial projects.

The rapid acceleration of digital transformation over the last 12 months has been fueled by a need for businesses to be agile and support increased flexibility in order to remain competitive. Many organisations, therefore, have begun to operate in hybrid cloud environments and as the use of cloud infrastructures has increased, so has the threat of cyber security breaches. The next course of action for businesses of all sizes is to step up their cyber security offering and look beyond the traditional firewall to true end-to-end solutions that give their business the resilience it needs to succeed.

CSA prides itself on having developed an advanced toolset that allows it to offer connected cyber solutions, typically reserved only for large Enterprise and government organisations, to businesses of all sizes. CSA’s cyber as a service solution addresses the modern and ever evolving cyber threat that customers are now operating in, consisting of threat monitoring, detection, protection and response via its Security Operations Centre, supported by consultancy services, robust assessments and cyber training. A dedicated team built on a solid foundation of cyber expertise, CSA believes in developing a cyber aware culture within organisations and offers services to help businesses understand the cyber threats they face through educational training, as well as the measures they need to put in place in order to be more cyber secure. Businesses can trust their security to CSA, a dedicated specialist who will both develop the right security and compliance strategy, translating concerns into real requirements, and operate and run an ongoing, military grade SOC.

The investment in CSA’s market-leading connected cyber solutions further enhances FluidOne’s already attractive Connected Cloud Solutions offering as part of its vision to become the best quality Connected Cloud Solutions Provider to UK Businesses. Complementing its connectivity services delivered via its award winning national fibre network Platform One, which helps customers deal with ever complex connectivity choices, FluidOne acquired PSU in October 2020 to add IT Managed Services and Unified Communications to its growing portfolio. The company’s investment in CSA now brings in Advanced Security to complete the Connected Cloud Solutions product set. Combining these services with the connectivity that FluidOne is best known for, will help customers create multi-cloud and multi-connected environments that are secure, safe and simple for them to use.

Commenting on the investment, FluidOne CEO, Russell Horton said:

“When I met David and James I was immediately impressed, they have exceptional cyber experience and their consultancy and managed service toolsets strongly fits with our strategy. Their military background, ongoing government clearance and the way that they have applied this experience over the past 7 years to build their business, gives them a stand out point of difference as a trusted cyber security service provider to businesses of all sizes.”

“With the FluidOne board I saw a great opportunity to invest in CSA to add a high-quality cyber security specialist to the group as a sister company that we can introduce to the benefit of FluidOne customers and channel partners.”

Cyber Security Associates, Managing Director, David Woodfine said:

“James and I identified a gap in the market for providing a true end-to-end cyber security managed service offering, which has the best threat intelligence, combined with consultancy, training and assessments to educate businesses of all sizes on the evolving cyber threat.

This development has started gaining real traction, and we were at the point where we were seeking a strategic partner to invest in the business and support us in the next stage of our growth. Meeting the executive team at FluidOne, I could see a fit for our cyber security services in their Connected Cloud Solutions strategy as well as an alignment in both values and culture. This is a very exciting time for CSA, and I very much look forward to working with Russell and the rest of the FluidOne team.”

FluidOne is already a market leader for providing high-quality data connectivity services, including Unified Communications, Mobile and IoT to a loyal customer base. As a Connected Cloud Solutions provider, FluidOne recognised that the only missing piece to the puzzle was advanced security that went beyond firewalls and MPLS network protocol to MDR and endpoint protection. The investment in CSA provides an opportunity for the leading network aggregator to complete its offering with sophisticated cyber security solutions that support its customers with increased agility and keep them ahead of the ever changing cyber threat.

FluidOne customers and partners will benefit from CSA’s connected offering with access to cyber executives, consulting and cyber assessments, whilst CSA’s Security Operations Centre will offer intelligence assessments, protective monitoring services and user awareness training. CSA is also the exclusive MSSP for patented solution AppGuard, an outstanding and effective solution that has never been breached, providing real-time protection against all endpoint and server ransomware and malware.

Following the investment, CSA will continue to be led by the founders, David Woodfine and James Griffiths, and operate as a dedicated security specialist. CSA will maintain company independence when carrying out security services for FluidOne customers, whilst benefiting from advice, guidance and support from the FluidOne directors.