We started Shift Key Cyber because we wanted to work with organisations of any size or sector to offer quality, no nonsense, and honest solutions.
We design services that are not only unique to our customers’ needs but are delivered in a way that creates trust and speaks the language of the business.
Sarah Knowles
co-founder
Sarah Knowles is one of the Co-Founders of Shift Key Cyber, with over thirty years’ experience in IT, Information and Cyber Security.
She is a Chartered Cyber Security Professional (ChCSP), an ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISO 27001 Lead Auditor and a Cyber Essentials and IASME Assurance Assessor. Sarah was one of the first to achieve Cyber Advisor status and works as an assessor for the Cyber Advisor scheme.
She is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Information Security (MCIIS) and the British Computer Society (MBSC).
Having worked for many years in a technical role, as well as in the governance, risk, compliance and audit areas, Sarah is uniquely placed to work with customers to solve their information and cyber security problems. Her extensive experience across different industry sectors in both public and private sector allows her to create a solution tailored to an individual customer’s environment, ensuring their objectives are fully met.
Sarah provides C-level strategic support to organisations needing assistance with their information and cyber security requirements. She has also implemented numerous ISO 27001 implementations successfully and has run many security management programs.
Dawn O’Connor
co-founder
With 25 years in business risk, governance and compliance, Dawn O’Connor has a wealth of experience in both private and public sectors. She advises on cyber strategy and provides risk advisory, working with organisations to improve their cyber resilience to create tailored, practical and value driven solutions.
Working across different industries Dawn has implemented and managed ISO management systems such as ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems, ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Systems, and ISO9001 Quality Management Systems. She is also a Cyber Essentials and IASME Assurance Assessor. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Information Security and British Computer Society.
As one of the Co-Founders of Shift Key Cyber, Dawn is focused on delivering services that not only benefit the organisations we serve, but also the wider community. Dawn is the main liaison for Shift Key Cyber’s partnership with the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre which focuses on building more secure businesses in our communities.
Testimonials
Sarah worked with Speechmatics as our vCISO for a period of 18 months guiding our security posture from start-up to scale up in that short period. Sarah is a deep thinker and her measured approach coupled with her ability to work well with other people is a key reason for our successful outcomes. Sarah was a key contributor and critical to the delivery of our ISO27001:2013 accreditation, Surveillance 1, Cyber Essentials, and planning for SOC 2 Type 2.
She can be relied upon to take business requirements and work out the high-level solutions for Security in your business. I would recommend without hesitation, Sarah and Shift Key Cyber to any business looking to achieve a first-class security posture.
Katy Wigdahl, CEO SpeechmaticsShift Key Cyber Ltd provided me with an exemplary service in my route towards certification. Their knowledge, understanding and attention to detail was outstanding. The risk of a Security Breach in a Changing Landscape of Threats is every business primary focus and it’s guaranteed that your data security and business interests are in safe hands with Sarah and the team. I have no hesitation in highly recommending their Cyber certification services
