Member Spotlight: Net-Defence
Celebrating a decade of excellence, Net-Defence has become a cornerstone of our region’s cyber security community.
Today we sat down with Managing Director Debra Cairns to celebrate this milestone and talk about how they’ve built a decade of trust, why their people-first philosophy matters more than ever, and how their membership of CyberNorth has allowed them to strengthen their support of the North East’s growing cyber community.
What is the core philosophy that drives Net-Defence’s approach to cyber security?
At Net-Defence, everything we do starts with people. We are a cyber security and IT services provider, but our real focus is helping businesses feel confident, supported, and resilient in an increasingly complex digital world. That means understanding our customers fully, not just their technology, but how their business operates, what risks they face, and what matters most to them.
Our approach is deliberately not “one size fits all.” Cyber security shouldn’t be a checkbox exercise or a generic product. Every customer is different, and our role is to build solutions around them; whether that’s compliance, resilience, or day-to-day support. I also place equal value on our internal team. A strong, supported, and trusted team ultimately delivers the best outcomes for customers. So, for me, culture isn’t a side conversation, it is fundamental to how we deliver secure, long-term partnerships.
Net-Defence focuses heavily on nurturing talent. Could you share how you identify the right people and help them to grow, develop, and thrive here?
For me, hiring talent isn’t just about technical skills and experience, it is about how people think, how they approach problems, and how they work with customers. Technical skills can be developed. What matters most to us is curiosity, accountability, and a natural focus on doing the right thing for the customer.
I’ve built Net-Defence to create opportunities for people from very different starting points because there isn’t one “right” route into cyber and tech, despite how the industry can sometimes present it. My personal journey is reflective of that.
Simon is a great example of that. He’s been with the organisation for 28 years and has grown with the business. Starting in communications support, he’s transitioned into a cyber analyst role over time. That journey only works because of his mindset; his willingness to learn, adapt, and take ownership. On paper, he may not have been the obvious candidate if you were recruiting purely against a predefined technical checklist, but he’s exactly what the role demands.
Kyle’s journey is similar; he started within our IT team and has developed into a key part of our cyber capability. He’s someone who consistently brings strong problem-solving, a customer-first approach, and a level of consistency that the team relies on day to day. He’s very much at the centre of how we deliver our services. What both Simon and Kyle show is that great people can come from very different backgrounds and that if you focus too heavily on a narrow definition of “the right skill set”, you risk overlooking the people this industry needs.
Internally, I put a lot of emphasis on helping people move into roles where they can genuinely thrive. That sometimes means reshaping responsibilities, giving people exposure to new areas, or backing them to develop beyond their original role. I am also very conscious of the wider responsibility we have as a business. There’s a real risk that AI could reduce entry-level opportunities in the industry. Our view is clear: it should do the opposite. AI should support and enhance what people do, not remove the pathways that allow them to get started in the first place. Cyber and tech need more people, not fewer, and it is my
responsibility to make sure the door stays open.
How does Net-Defence embody its ‘bespoke’ value proposition when addressing key customer challenges, especially for SMEs?
SMEs are a huge focus for us because they are often the most underserved when it comes to cyber security and IT support. Many smaller businesses know security is important but don’t know where to start, or they assume it’s too complex or too expensive. That’s where we come in.
Over the past year, we’ve introduced a dedicated Business Resilience service designed specifically for small and micro businesses. It focuses on giving them clarity, structure, and a realistic path forward without overwhelming them. A big part of our bespoke approach is flexibility. For example, we’ve adapted how services like Cyber Essentials are delivered so that costs can be spread in a way that works for smaller organisations. It’s about removing barriers, not creating them.
We also encourage longer-term thinking through our partnership model. Our three-year agreements aren’t transactional; they’re designed to give customers visibility and confidence. We provide regular reporting, forecasting, and ongoing optimisation, helping them understand not just what they’re spending, but why.
Ultimately, our role is to answer one of the most common questions we hear: “If I don’t know what I need, where do I start?” And our answer is always the same, start with us, and we’ll guide you.
Net-Defence recently celebrated its 10th birthday. What’s next?
Reaching 10 years is a huge milestone for us, and being shortlisted for 11 awards during that time is a proud moment for the whole team. Looking ahead, our focus is simple: doing more of what we already do well.
We’re continuing to refine and strengthen our services, including regularly reviewing our full technology stack to make sure we’re always delivering the best solutions for our customers. AI is an area we’re embracing, but with a very clear mindset. We see AI as a tool, not a replacement for expertise. It helps us improve efficiency, particularly in areas like reporting and analysis, but the decision-making and accountability will always sit with experienced specialists. In simple terms, AI can assist, but we remain the editors.
From a sector perspective, we’re continuing to grow our presence in industries such as legal, where compliance requirements are complex and evolving. We also see strong opportunities in sectors like manufacturing, engineering, and finance, particularly where organisations may not see themselves as “technology led”, but still face significant risk. Our future growth is about consistency, quality, and staying true to our core values.
Net-Defence is an active member of the North East tech scene and of CyberNorth. What value do you see in connecting with your regional community?
The North East has a genuinely strong and supportive tech and cyber security community, and that’s something we’re very proud to be part of. There’s a real sense of collaboration here. Businesses are open to sharing knowledge, supporting each other, and building something collectively, rather than competing in isolation.
Our involvement with CyberNorth has been a key part of that. It provides a platform to connect with like-minded organisations, stay close to industry developments, and be part of important conversations shaping the future of cyber security in the region. We’ve found real value in events like CyberSips and the wider networking opportunities, not just from a business development perspective, but from building relationships, sharing insight, and giving back to the community.
For us, supporting the regional ecosystem isn’t just good for Net-Defence: it is essential for strengthening cyber security across the North East as a whole.
