CYSTEL
Cybersecurity Quantum & Artificial Intelligence
Founded by researchers and thought leaders, Cystel is built on a unique and specialised set of skills in addition to decades of experience at the forefront of cybersecurity, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Powered by scientific research, we offer a radical approach to cybersecurity (through the lens of hackers) to understand, protect and prepare for cyberattacks effectively and innovatively.
A combative approach: Deep knowledge of the latest cyber offensive approaches in the development of a cyber risk posture.
Quality powered by research: We cater to every cyber need of our client, providing the highest quality achieved through robust research and personalised services.
Sustainability Outcome focused: We are driven by the bespoke security needs of our clients with a goal to ensure an outcome that is cost-effective, scalable and sustainable.
Lean Management of Technology: A flexible holistic approach in embedding technology in our services.
Readiness for the Quantum Revolution: Work closely with clients to offer the best support to deploy effective quantum readiness.
We focus on innovating customised solutions using technology driven by data sciences. We ensure that our services will not only enhance your organisation’s outcomes right now, but also in the future as it adapts to external changes.
Our clients benefit from:
- Better cyber capabilities to thwart potential attacks
- Improving operational costs through AI implementation
- Increasing revenues through business process optimisation
- Minimising risk through our data analytics solutions
Dr. Meera Sarma
Founder & CEO
Dr. Meera Sarma has more than 20 years’ experience in cybersecurity and AI. She has worked with governments, public sector organisations and private institutions on cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, online crime, cyber fraud, hacking trends, hacker profiling, AI in business and education. She has published a number of publications and contributes to the UK’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology as an expert on Cybersecurity and AI.
She holds a PhD in information systems (specifically on how hackers innovate) from Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.
Dr. Thomas Matheus
COO
Dr Thomas Matheus is an academic and the COO at Cystel. He has extensive research and consulting experience in supply chain management and business analytics. His research interests are in innovation, supply chain management, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
He holds a PhD in Supply Chain Management from Warwick University, UK
Juan Piacquadio
CIO
Juan is a digital transformation and business growth executive with over 20 years’ experience in the technology space and has led organisations across the US, EMEA, APAC and LATAM regions. This includes roles at Siemens, NEC, HP, NCR, St Jude Medical and Skanska. He is currently the CIO of Quarles Petroleum and a member of Cystel’s board of directors.
While he is a thought leader and keynote speaker in the areas of cybersecurity, enterprise agility and data analytics; he is also a member of the adjunct faculty at California Baptist University, Colorado Christian University and Columbia International University.
Juan holds an MBA from the University of La Verne and a MS in IT from Azusa Pacific University. He is a published author and business administration doctoral candidate at the University of Liverpool, UK.
Grant Newton
Executive BoD
Grant has vast management experience in an Executive Director capacity within a number of medium to large-scale healthcare, insurance and information technology enterprises from setup to day-to-day management. Executive positions previously held include: Chief Executive Officer and Principal Officer of CAMAF (Chartered Accountant’s Medical Aid Fund), Group Chief Executive and Executive Group Board Chairman of the Eternity Group and Group CEO of Sanlam Healthcare.
He holds an MBA from Oxford University and is currently enjoying the challenges of a DBA programme through the University of Liverpool.
Stephen K Howard
Strategic Advisor and Member of the Board
Stephen worked on the original kMatrix methodology developed in collaboration with Harvard University over 30 years ago. He began his career as a mining engineer, developing a specialism in new technologies and their applications. kMatrix Data Services Limited uses a process that is now recognised as the largest privately held data source for market intelligence and business models in Europe.
He is currently working with a number of UK and EU Government Agencies to provide market intelligence data for individual companies, business sectoral bodies and regional planning bodies. He is currently leading the utilisation of kMatrix global multi-data sources to collect, structure and provide metrics across the supply and value chain, providing data to the UK Government for Security and Cyber Security, Creative and Digital Industries, Climate Change and the Low Carbon Economy.
Dr. Biju Issac
Research & Innovation Adviser
Dr. Issac is an innovator through his research work with more than 20 years of experience. He is an Associate Professor with expertise in computer networks and cybersecurity, working currently at Northumbria University since 2018. Prior to this, he has worked in Teesside University, Swinburne University of Technology, Indian Institute of Science etc.
He holds PhD in Networking and Mobile Communications, Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electronics and Communication Engineering. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Senior IEEE member and Fellow of HEA. He is the Editor in Chief (EiC) of the International Journal of Information & Computer Security.
He is an advisory group member of NEBRC (North East Business Resilience Center). He founded Northumbria Cyber Clinic in 2018 that works with NEBRC (led by the police), to secure businesses against cyber attacks.
He has authored 100+ publications as conference papers, journal papers, book chapters and edited books.
His research interests are in networks, cybersecurity, machine learning (text mining/image processing) etc.
He has won the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award in Dynamites 2020, organised by Dynamo North East and was shortlisted as a finalist in ‘Excellence in Cybersecurity’ for E&T Innovation Awards 2020, organised by IET, UK.
Ryan Dale
AI Developer
Ryan Dale is an Alumni of Northumbria University after completing his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Networks and Cyber Security with First-class Honours. After years of study and research into various Cyber Security threats and issues, he has continued to privately conduct research into new and innovative methods to apply Machine Learning and AI techniques to different circumstances. Extending from his time at university, Ryan was invited to work as a research intern to continue his work taken from his final year project concerning Machine Learning, providing insightful and various methods of application, and further, expand the university’s research into the subject.
Ryan’s research interests are cybersecurity, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and computer network architecture. Further skills in coding languages and a desire to learn applies well to the developing and ever-changing world of cyber security.
Dr. Michael Donevski
Head of Cybernetics
Michael has over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, network engineering and vulnerability management in both the public and private sectors. He has held a range of security roles in the Australian Government, including in the Department of Defence, and at Lockheed Martin, Australia. Michael has a strong research background in exponential technologies and his current focus is on the application of cybernetics to cybersecurity.
He has a Doctor of Information Technology in cybersecurity, a Masters of Information Systems Security (Digital Forensics) and a Bachelor of IT (Network Engineering) from Charles Sturt University, Australia.
Michael is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN). He is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Australian Information Security Association (AISA).
Walter Larralde
Managing Director LATAM and Spain
Walter has led, for more than 25 years, projects of organizational transformation and strategic consulting in organizations located in Latin America.
25 years of experience in the design, development, and implementation of strategic and operational projects in various organizations in Latin America. He has led consulting in sectors such as media, manufacture, petroleum and gas energy, consumer goods, food and beverages, logistics, technology, hotel industry, real estate, public sector, NGOs, and financial services, amongst others.
Has trained and consulted amongst other enterprises:
Perobras, Pepsico, SAP, BBVA, RH-Shipping, Oracle, Globalstar, Merck Química, Grupo Posadas, Young & Rubicam, Wunderman, Coca-Cola.
Has received a Master of Business Administration degree from the IAE Business School of the Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is Vice President of the advisory board of World Vision Mexico.
