Cystel
Cystel is a UK-based cybersecurity consulting firm delivering quantum cybersecurity, IT/OT security, and AI security governance services to enterprise clients in financial services, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and regulated industries, supported by certified training programmes and proprietary quantum solutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersNewcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cystel does
Cystel is a UK-headquartered cybersecurity consulting firm, founded in 2018 and operating from Newcastle Upon Tyne with 11-50 employees. Its integrated portfolio is organised around four domains: Quantum Cybersecurity (risk assessments, transformation roadmaps, policy development, and proprietary solutions including a Quantum Random Number Generator, Quantum Encrypted VPN leveraging QKD principles, Quantum Safe Digital Certificates, and Quantum Scanning as a Service); IT Security (ISO27001 implementation, NIST CSF compliance, SOC assessment, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, cloud security, supply chain security, DORA and GDPR compliance); OT Security (IEC 62443, NCSC CAF v3.2, NIS2, NIST 800-82 consulting, OT-SOC improvement, and vCISO fractional services); and AI Security and Governance (ISO42001 management systems, MITRE ATLAS threat modelling, AI supply chain security, board-level AI governance). The firm also runs certified training programmes including Quantum Cyber GRC at Associate, Professional, and Leader tiers, plus general cybersecurity awareness workshops.
The business model is professional services-led with three tiered subscription packages (Basic, Advanced, Premium) sold on multi-year contracts, supplemented by recurring subscriptions on technology products such as QSaaS and by certified training revenue. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales via consultative booked meetings, supported by LinkedIn and podcast thought leadership, white papers, case studies, and active presence at industry events (Farnborough Airshow, Accenture Architecture Summer Conference, Mexican Fintech Trade Mission). Strategic partnerships with the University of Exeter (executive education), Accenture, Helaba Bank, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and the Innovate UK QAssure consortium on Quantum Key Distribution are central to pipeline generation and credibility.
Customer segments include enterprise organisations in financial services (notably Helaba Bank and an unnamed bank that received the first Quantum Risk Assessment), critical infrastructure (OilTech), healthcare (a leading diabetic healthcare provider), and technology (LNQ). Disclosed customer outcomes include preventing a $1.7 million data breach for a healthcare client and producing the first Quantum transformation Roadmap for a bank. Geographic focus is the UK and EMEA, with selective international exposure. Firmographic indicators (2018 founding, single accelerator grant of $11,136 in 2022, 11-50 employees, no disclosed institutional capital) characterise the firm as a bootstrapped specialist consultancy scaling via partnerships, training IP, and productised quantum offerings rather than venture-funded expansion.
Cystel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cystel
- Legal name
- Cystel Limited
- Website
- https://cystel.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cystel is a UK-based cybersecurity consulting firm delivering quantum cybersecurity, IT/OT security, and AI security governance services to enterprise clients in financial services, critical infrastructure, healthcare, and regulated industries, supported by certified training programmes and proprietary quantum solutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cystel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Consulting
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Computer Related Services (541519), Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cybersecurity & Identity Consulting (BPAHAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Algorithms & Protocols (PQC) (HDAGAGAC), Quantum Cryptography & Post-Quantum/Quantum-Safe Security Research (HDAGAMAI), Quantum Security (PQC/QKD) Training & Readiness Services (HDAGALAG), Cybersecurity (General) (EDAOAIAB)
Keywords
Where Cystel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newcastle Upon Tyne
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cystel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Cybersecurity Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for quantum cybersecurity, IT/OT security, and AI security governance delivered through customized service packages (Basic, Advanced, Premium) with varying levels of assessment, implementation, and support.
- Training Programs: Certified training courses for Cybersecurity, AI, and Quantum, including Quantum Cyber GRC Associate, Professional, and Leaders programs, plus cybersecurity awareness training and workshops.
- Quantum Technology Solutions: Sale and deployment of quantum cybersecurity solutions including QRNG devices, Quantum Safe Digital Certificates, and Quantum Scanning as a Service (QSaaS) subscriptions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Basic Plan - Essential cybersecurity assessments and overviews covering IT/OT basics, AI readiness, quantum awareness, and fundamental threat analysis. |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Advanced Plan - Comprehensive cybersecurity services including detailed assessments, partial implementations, and in-depth threat analysis for IT/OT/AI/Quantum. |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Premium Plan - Full-scale cybersecurity transformation with tailored implementations, organization-wide training, and advanced threat mitigation across all domains. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cystel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cystel sells cybersecurity consulting services and proprietary quantum security solutions to enterprise clients across four domains: Quantum Cybersecurity (risk assessment, transformation roadmaps, QRNG devices, Quantum Safe VPN, QSaaS), IT and OT Security Services (ISO27001, IEC 62443, NCSC CAF, NIS2 assessments, VAPT, SOC transformation), AI Security and Governance (MITRE ATLAS, ISO42001, board-level governance), and certified Training programs (Quantum Cyber GRC and general cybersecurity awareness). Services are delivered through tiered Basic, Advanced, and Premium subscription packages on multi-year contracts.
Product overview
Cystel is a cybersecurity consulting firm offering an integrated portfolio of services organized around four core domains: Quantum Cybersecurity (comprising Quantum Services like risk assessment, readiness workshops, transformation, and policy development, plus Quantum Solutions including QRNG, Quantum Safe VPN, and Quantum Scanning as a Service), Cyber Security Services for both IT (ISO27001, VAPT, SOC, cloud security) and OT (IEC 62443, NIS2, CAF assessments) environments, AI Security and Governance (including ISO42001 certification support, MITRE ATLAS threat modelling, and board-level governance), and Training programmes spanning Quantum Cyber GRC certification tracks and general cybersecurity awareness. The company also offers tiered Service Packages (Basic, Advanced, Premium) structured by depth of service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Quantum Cybersecurity End-to-end quantum cybersecurity service for enterprise organisations preparing for the post-quantum era, combining training, risk assessment, transformation roadmaps, policy development, and advanced quantum cryptographic solutions (QRNG, Quantum Safe VPN, QSaaS).
- IT Security Services Comprehensive IT cybersecurity consulting for enterprise clients, covering ISO27001 implementation, supply chain security, cyber resilience and incident response, SOC assessment and transformation, MITRE-based threat adversary profiling, cloud security assessment, VAPT, and security compliance (DORA, CAF, NIST CSF, ISO27001/2).
- OT Security Services Operational Technology cybersecurity consulting for industrial and critical infrastructure operators, including IEC 62443 OT security assessment, OT-SOC assessment and improvement, OT security tools review and integration, UK NCSC CAF assessment, NIS2 assessment for OT, IEC62443/NIS2/NIST 800-82 consulting, OT supply chain assessment, and fractional vCISO/Head of OT services.
- AI Security and Governance Services AI security and governance consulting for organisations deploying AI systems, covering AI Governance for Boards, AI Security Readiness Assessment (NIST AI RMF, ENISA), AI Management System ISO42001, AI Supply Chain Security, AI Threat Modelling (MITRE ATLAS), and AI Security Training.
- Quantum Cyber GRC Training Certified training programme for quantum cyber governance, risk, and compliance, including Quantum Cyber GRC Associate (entry level), Quantum Cyber GRC Professional (operational/tactical/strategic level), and Quantum Cyber GRC for Leaders (strategic transformation).
- Cybersecurity Training General cybersecurity awareness and culture training for organisations, including Cybersecurity Awareness Roadshow, Cyber Hygiene Workshops, Cyber Crime Clinics, Cyber Safety Q&A sessions, and Cyber Champion Program.
Quantifiable outcome
- Protected a healthcare client from a data breach cost of $1.7 million through implementing a robust cybersecurity posture
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cystel
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cystel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
Cystel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of ExetercoreThe University of Exeter and Cystel launched an executive education programme on governance and risk in the quantum economy, set to begin in the upcoming year. The programme aims to prepare senior executives for the opportunities and risks associated with quantum technologies, focusing on sectors like defense, energy, and finance.
- Helaba BankcoreCystel collaborated with Helaba Bank to co-lead a Quantum Readiness Exercise focused on strategic and cybersecurity implications of quantum computing. The cross-functional tabletop exercise brought together participants from various departments to explore emerging opportunities and threats posed by quantum technologies.
- AccenturecoreCystel's Dr. Thomas Matheus and Dr. Sammy Ragy delivered a talk on quantum cybersecurity at Accenture's Architecture Summer Conference, highlighting emerging risks and strategies to help organisations stay resilient as quantum computing evolves.
- Department for Business and TradecoreCystel participated in the Farnborough Airshow as invited guests to the 'Meet the Buyers' event organized by the Department for Business and Trade, engaging in meaningful conversations about cybersecurity collaboration.
- Mexican Fintech Trade MissionminorCystel's Steven O'Sullivan discussed quantum threats and security with Mexican Fintech leaders during a trade mission to the UK, facilitated by Gisela Gonzalez and the Department for Business and Trade.
- QAssure ConsortiumcoreCystel is part of the QAssure project, an Innovate UK Quantum Cyber Security Project working to establish a security assurance framework to assess system security for quantum technology based communications systems, with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as the primary focus.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cystel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PQShield: Oxford-based post-quantum cryptography company delivering PQC software and hardware IP as well as migration advisory. Comparable as a quantum-safe security specialist operating in the same UK ecosystem and targeting overlapping financial services and enterprise customers.
- PostQuantum.com: UK-based boutique cybersecurity consultancy specializing in post-quantum cryptography migration and quantum-safe strategy. Direct competitor offering quantum risk assessment, cryptographic inventory, and PQC advisory services to financial services and government clients in EMEA.
- ID Quantique: Swiss vendor of quantum cryptography products including Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum random number generators, and quantum-safe network encryption. Comparable on the quantum-solutions/product side of Cystel's portfolio (QRNG, QKD VPN, Quantum Safe Certificates).
- EvolutionQ: Canadian quantum-cybersecurity consultancy providing quantum risk assessment, cryptographic inventory, and PQC migration roadmaps. Closely comparable service offering and customer profile (banks, governments, critical infrastructure) to Cystel's quantum services practice.
Emerging players
- Quantum Dice: Oxford-based startup commercializing QRNG technology for cybersecurity applications. Direct overlap with Cystel's QRNG offering and a competitor for quantum-entropy-driven cryptographic key generation deployments in enterprise and IoT.
- Crypto4A Technologies: Canadian quantum-safe hardware security module (HSM) and cryptographic infrastructure vendor. Comparable on the quantum-safe infrastructure side of Cystel's portfolio and a potential partner/competitor in QSaaS and Quantum Safe Certificate deployments.
- QuSecure: US-based post-quantum cybersecurity company offering quantum-safe communication and PQC migration software. Emerging player with overlapping product vision (crypto-agility, quantum resilience) but earlier-stage commercial traction than Cystel in EMEA financial services.
Broad incumbents
- BAE Systems Applied Intelligence: Large defense and security contractor's cyber division delivering managed security, compliance, and threat intelligence to financial services and government clients across EMEA. Competes with Cystel for regulated enterprise cyber transformation mandates and quantum-readiness advisory work.
- SandboxAQ: Well-capitalized enterprise quantum and AI security company offering cryptographic inventory, PQC migration, and quantum-safe communications. Operates at much greater scale and with proprietary technology, making it a broad incumbent benchmark for the addressable market Cystel targets.
- NCC Group: Large UK-listed cybersecurity consultancy providing assurance, risk management, and technical security services including emerging technology advisory. Comparable as a UK-headquartered cyber-consulting incumbent that Cystel competes against for enterprise quantum-readiness and IT/OT security engagements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cystel social profiles
Digital presenceCystel compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Cystel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cystel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Cystel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cystel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cystel
What does Cystel do?
Cystel sells cybersecurity consulting services and proprietary quantum security solutions to enterprise clients across four domains: Quantum Cybersecurity (risk assessment, transformation roadmaps, QRNG devices, Quantum Safe VPN, QSaaS), IT and OT Security Services (ISO27001, IEC 62443, NCSC CAF, NIS2 assessments, VAPT, SOC transformation), AI Security and Governance (MITRE ATLAS, ISO42001, board-level governance), and certified Training programs (Quantum Cyber GRC and general cybersecurity awareness). Services are delivered through tiered Basic, Advanced, and Premium subscription packages on multi-year contracts.
Is Cystel a public or private company?
Cystel is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cystel founded?
Cystel was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cystel based?
Cystel is headquartered in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Cystel make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Cybersecurity Consulting Services are the primary driver. The others are training Programs and quantum Technology Solutions.
Who are Cystel's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PQShield, PostQuantum.com, ID Quantique and EvolutionQ. Emerging players are Quantum Dice, Crypto4A Technologies and QuSecure. Broad incumbents are BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, SandboxAQ and NCC Group.
Does Cystel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cystel.
What industry is Cystel in?
Cystel's product category is Cybersecurity Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAEAG, Cybersecurity & Identity Consulting, with a secondary code of HDAGAGAC, Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Algorithms & Protocols (PQC). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7371.