Head of cyber security company Computer Network Defence, Andy Cuff, with his website that protects the world from digital criminals and enemy states.
A website created out of boredom on a kitchen table in Bath a decade ago has grown to become the go-to place for all the world’s biggest security agencies.
Andy Cuff had just set up his cyber-security business Computer Network Defence (CND) when he developed the Security Wizardry Radar Page.
He never dreamed then that it would receive nearly 40,000 hits an hour or be used daily across the globe with America’s National Security Agency (NSA) depending on it.
Indeed, Andy was taken aback when he was watching a news item about the NSA and saw his website in the background on a huge screen while the President was being shown around.
CND’s website is used by the NSA in the US.
The website is updated constantly with all the latest cyber threats and is used by government agencies and businesses so they can ensure that their networks are capable of defeating them.
With real-time alerts and ‘virus’ news uploaded by staff at CND, the site has become the most popular tool in the on-going battle against cyber criminals and enemy states.
The CND staff responsible for identifying vulnerabilities which could be exploited by hackers are headed by Michele Jordan who works North Carolina in the US.
She is supported by cyber security researchers in the Isle of Man, working from the company’s Security Operation Centre.
Cyber security experts have to deal with more threats than ever, and these threats are growing in complexity and sinister intent.
The information from the radar page is used to help protect systems and networks in order to keep information secure.
Andy said: “I only set it up at first because it was raining and I was bored; I wanted something to do. It took me about half an hour on my kitchen table.
“I had absolutely no idea how successful it would become – we’re getting 38,000 hits an hour from all around the world.
“In fact the only country that doesn’t appear to use it is North Korea. It grew quickly because there was obviously a need for a resource like this.
“The website is available to everyone for nothing and all we get from it is a lot of thanks and some great exposure. Our users even ask why we don’t update the look and feel and leave it ‘retro’.
“When I saw photos of it on the screens at the NSA in the US I realised just how important it had become. There are also pictures of it being used by the US Fleet Cyber Command.
The US Fleet Cyber Command uses the website invented by Andy Cuff on his kitchen table.
“Knowing that some of the finest security people in the world are depending on it, you realise just how big it has grown.
“There is also an app we’ve developed so security experts can keep in constant touch with the updates.
“I was first introduced to cyber security whilst serving in the RAF; I was immediately hooked and have worked in this awe-inspiring field full-time ever since.
“When the RAF threatened to move me back to mainstream computing, I left, set up a cyber-security company and joined the army cyber reserves, which I still enjoy.
“Cyber security continues to grow at an exponential rate and the UK is one of the world’s leaders in the field, which is why we set up a cyber-security recruitment division.
“It is now one of the oldest cyber security recruitment agencies in the country.
“Our core business is working across the whole information security sector and being such a fast-moving area we have to stay on top of what is going on. So as well as inputting the information on the wizardry website we use it too.”
CND works across the world for clients of all sizes, employs 50 staff and is based in Bath.
Head of cyber security company Computer Network Defence, Andy Cuff, with his website that protects the world from digital criminals and enemy states.
Notes to editors:
Computer Network Defence (CND) was set up in Bath by Andy Cuff in 2001 and covers all aspects of information security. It has grown organically and now employs 50 staff. CND specialise in providing consultancy services focusing around the development, implementation and manning of Secure Operation Centres (SOCs) and complex Intrusion Prevention System deployments. It has a high number of skilled consultants and only provides products that are of the highest quality. CND also has a long-standing recruitment part of the business, which provides staff for all areas of the cyber security; in both private and public sectors.
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 01202 534487 or 07788392965
