Security Consulting for Hardware, IT/OT Networks, and Complex Systems
Independent, expert-led security assessments across embedded systems, infrastructure, and threat modelling—trusted in sensitive and regulated environments.
I provide independent, insight-driven security consulting for organisations developing or operating complex technical systems. My work focuses on hardware and embedded platforms, IT and OT networks, and system-level threat modelling—delivering targeted security assessments that inform design decisions and reduce risk without introducing unnecessary process overhead.
Clients include SMEs, global enterprises, critical national infrastructure providers, government-linked organisations, and defence-sector contractors. I operate independently, with the ability to rapidly comprehend diverse technical environments and deliver clear, actionable recommendations.
All engagements are conducted with discretion, and I am accustomed to working within environments that require security assurance, confidentiality, and formal vetting.
Services
Hardware & Embedded
Security assessment of hardware-based systems, embedded architectures, and physical interfaces, with a focus on identifying design-stage risks that impact confidentiality, integrity, availability, or safety.
Covers MCU, SoC, and module selection, interface exposure (e.g. UART, SPI, I2C, JTAG), debug/test access, power and signal pathways, as well as wireless and RF subsystems including protocol security, emissions, and unintended signal behaviour.
Includes analysis of communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, CAN, ARINC, RS485, proprietary) and their integration with higher-level system controls—particularly where safety, timing, or deterministic performance mix with security constraints.
Supports product development, secure system integration, or evaluation of bespoke hardware platforms prior to release, certification, or deployment in sensitive or operational environments.
Network & Infrastructure
Design-level assessment of IT and OT network architectures, focusing on segmentation, interconnectivity, trust zones, remote access exposure, and attack surface reduction.
Covers internal and external interfaces, inter-zone traffic control, firewall and ACL strategy, routing logic, and secure access paths for administration and support.
Includes evaluation of common IT patterns (LAN/WAN, cloud integration, DMZs) and OT-specific considerations such as deterministic communication, protocol isolation, and convergence boundaries between process control and enterprise networks.
Designed to support product teams, integrators, and operators working in sensitive environments—including industrial networks, critical infrastructure, and mixed-domain architectures—by identifying latent risks and offering practical mitigation guidance before deployment or redesign.
Threat Modelling
Facilitation or independent review of threat models across hardware, embedded systems, IT, and OT network environments. Engagements focus on identifying realistic attacker goals, misaligned trust boundaries, and areas where mitigations are either missing or mismatched to risk.
Support includes development or critique of models using structured methodologies such as STRIDE, PASTA, or bespoke frameworks tailored to your system context. Emphasis is placed on technical credibility, attacker capability modelling, and risk relevance to real-world deployment scenarios.
Suitable for both greenfield designs and existing deployments—particularly where system complexity, mixed-domain interfaces, or safety/security interactions require careful consideration.
Custom Engagements
Engagements can be tailored to your specific system architecture, integration model, or development stage—ranging from early concept evaluation to late-stage design assurance or change impact review.
Support is available for bespoke hardware platforms, hybrid IT/OT environments, embedded or networked systems, and edge-to-cloud architectures. I can assist with risk-informed design decisions, security architecture validation, interface boundary analysis, and pre-deployment security readiness reviews.
Ideal for scenarios where a fixed methodology may not apply—such as novel technologies, constrained systems, or safety-critical applications requiring nuanced threat and resilience considerations.
Experience and Trust
Clients engage me to assess and advise on complex systems deployed in sensitive, regulated, and high-assurance environments. My experience spans product development, system integration, and security design across sectors where technical depth, discretion, and clear risk-based guidance are essential.
This includes:
- Operating within environments requiring security vetting, confidentiality, and information handling assurance
- Supporting teams developing bespoke hardware platforms, embedded systems, and integrated modules/components
- Reviewing and advising on both IT and OT network architectures, including converged infrastructure and secure interface boundaries
- Contributing to the secure development and deployment of systems with national security, compliance, and operational resilience obligations
I work closely with engineering, architecture, and security teams to align technical decision-making with real-world threat exposure, lifecycle constraints, and system-level objectives.
Reporting
Each engagement includes clearly scoped deliverables, defined at project initiation to reflect your objectives, technical context, and audience. Reporting is tailored to support informed decision-making—whether by engineering teams, architecture leads, or executive stakeholders.
Deliverables may include:
- A concise, prioritised risk summary to guide technical or architectural decisions
- A structured technical report detailing findings, risk implications, and recommended actions
- Annotated diagrams or architecture commentary highlighting key observations
- Optionally, a review or handover session to support integration of recommendations
The format and depth of reporting are agreed priot to the engagement to ensure the output is relevant, actionable, and aligned with your development, deployment, or compliance needs.