What c3ia does

C3IA Ltd is a private UK cyber security and secure ICT consultancy founded in 2006 and headquartered in Poole, with a presence in Chippenham. It has more than 80 permanent employees supported by a similar number of specialist associates. The company designs, delivers and assures critical information and communications systems for UK defence and national-security organisations, government departments and private-sector clients. Its service portfolio covers penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, cloud and infrastructure security, Cyber Essentials, security management, supply-chain assurance, Secure by Design, systems engineering, IT service management and project, programme and portfolio management.

At its core, C3IA is a consultancy and systems integrator rather than a software product company. It applies systems-engineering, P3M, Secure by Design, ITIL, SIAM and SIEM methods across the ICT lifecycle. Its delivery credentials include NCSC-assured consultancy, Level 2 Defence Cyber Certification with authority to certify other organisations up to Level 3, and CREST-accredited penetration testing from 1 August 2026. It also resells and integrates Silvus StreamCaster MANET radios and MN-MIMO waveform capability, Instant Connect Enterprise tactical communications, and KTAC C4ISR kits.

Revenue is generated primarily through bespoke, scope-based professional-services engagements sold directly to enterprise and public-sector buyers. Managed Security as a Service introduces subscription-based recurring support, while the technology business adds hardware and software resale accompanied by consultancy, implementation, systems engineering and integration. Public pricing and revenue are not disclosed, and no external funding or parent company is reported.

Name

c3ia

Legal name

C3IA Ltd

Website

https://c3ia.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

C3IA is a private UK cyber security and secure ICT consultancy serving defence, government and commercial organisations through testing, assurance, systems engineering and programme management, complemented by tactical communications technology resale and integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cyber Security Consultancy

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Security Systems Services (56162), Investigation and Security Services (5616)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems (IMABAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE), Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence (C4I) Systems (IMABAOAA)

Keywords

• Cyber security consultancy
• Penetration testing services
• Defence cyber certification
• Tactical communications systems
• Secure ICT engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Poole

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Cyber Security Consultancy: Professional consultancy services including penetration testing, security assessments, risk consultancy, and cyber assurance. Services are delivered by qualified consultants to government and commercial clients.
2. Technology Resale: Resale of best-of-breed products from technology partners including Silvus Technologies StreamCaster radio systems and Instant Connect tactical communications solutions. C3IA provides UK-based consultancy, implementation, systems engineering and integration activities.
3. Systems Engineering Services: ICT capability delivery services spanning risk assessment, business analysis, architecture development, integration, service management and risk management. Working across government and commercial sector with particular focus on MoD acquisition processes.
4. IT Service Management: ITSM professional services drawing upon ITIL, SIAM and SIEM frameworks, serving clients in Ministry of Defence, wider government and private sector.
5. Project, Programme & Portfolio Management: P3M services including portfolio management, programme management and project management aligned with organisational strategy.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

C3IA provides NCSC-assured cyber security consultancy, systems engineering, and tactical communications technology to UK defence, government, and commercial organisations. Core offerings span three pillars: Cyber Security services (penetration testing, Cyber Essentials certification, cloud security, counter eavesdropping, security as a service), Solutions (security & risk consultancy, GovAssure, business continuity, Secure by Design, P3M, IT service management, systems engineering), and Technologies (resale and integration of Silvus StreamCaster MANET radios, Instant Connect Enterprise tactical communications, and KTAC C4ISR kits).

Product overview

C3IA is a cyber security consultancy offering a portfolio of services spanning managed security, professional consulting, and specialist technology resale. The offering is a platform-plus-modules architecture organised across three core service pillars — Cyber Security services (including penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, Cyber Essentials certification, cloud security, counter-eavesdropping, and training), Solutions services (including security and risk consultancy, GovAssure, business continuity, secure by design, P3M, IT service management, and systems engineering), and Technologies (including Silvus StreamCaster MANET radio systems, Instant Connect Enterprise tactical communications software, and KTAC Communications C4ISR kits). C3IA also holds NCSC Assured status, CREST accreditation for penetration testing, Cyber Essentials Certification Body status, and is an accredited DCC Certification Body capable of certifying organisations up to Level 3.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Penetration Testing
• Vulnerability Assessment / Security Testing
• Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification
• Defence Cyber Certification (DCC)
• Cloud Security Assessments
• Counter Eavesdropping (TSCM)
• Audit & Compliance
• Physical Security
• Personnel and Training
• Security as a Service
• GovAssure
• Security Management
• Supply Chain Assurance
• Business Continuity
• Risk Consultancy
• Secure by Design
• Project, Programme & Portfolio Management (P3M)
• IT Service Management
• Systems Engineering
• Silvus StreamCaster MANET Radio Systems
• Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE)
• KTAC Communications C4ISR Kits

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of Cyber Essentials users report increased understanding of cyber threats (Cyber Essentials Impact Evaluation)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Nova Blue TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint strategic partnership announced July 2026 between C3IA Solutions (NCSC assured cyber consultancy) and Nova Blue Technologies (cyber advisory and technical services provider in Cheltenham). C3IA provides DCC certification as an accredited Certification Body while Nova Blue provides pre-assessment support including cyber security posture improvement, technical configuration, and 24/7 monitoring. Together they offer end-to-end solution for defence suppliers navigating Defence Cyber Certification.
• Silvus TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationC3IA is the leading UK reseller of Silvus Technologies StreamCaster MANET radio systems. StreamCaster radios deliver high-fidelity video, voice, and IP data communications using proprietary MN-MIMO waveform technology for defence, government, and public safety agencies.
• Instant Connect SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationC3IA resells Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE) tactical communications platform - the world's leading interoperable tactical communications solution for military, government, and industry. ICE provides secure IP-based push-to-talk voice and text communications across mobile ad hoc networks, SATCOM, LTE, 5G, and other networks.
• IASMEcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerC3IA is one of only five organisations that worked with IASME and the MoD to help develop the Defence Cyber Certification scheme. C3IA is an accredited Certification Body under the DCC scheme managed by IASME.
• UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerC3IA developed DCC scheme alongside MoD and IASME. The MoD's Cyber Security Model (CSM) and Defence Standard 05-138 form the foundation of DCC requirements. C3IA provides certification services for MoD suppliers.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NCC Group: UK-headquartered cyber security consultancy and assurance provider offering penetration testing, managed detection, and compliance services to government and defence. Most direct comparable to C3IA in terms of UK cyber consultancy model, NCSC-aligned accreditations, and government/defence sector penetration.
• Pen Test Partners: UK-based penetration testing and cyber security consultancy focused on CREST-accredited testing and red team services. Direct peer in core pen testing capability that underpins C3IA's CREST-accredited service line.
• Bridewell Consulting: UK cyber security consultancy delivering managed security services, penetration testing, and compliance support to critical infrastructure, government, and defence sectors. Closely comparable mid-sized UK competitor with similar customer focus.
• WithSecure: European cyber security consultancy and managed services provider with pen testing, compliance, and incident response offerings. Comparable professional services cyber security model serving enterprise and public sector, though operating across broader European geographies.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems Digital Intelligence: UK defence prime with a sizeable cyber security division delivering services to MoD and government departments. Competes with C3IA for larger defence cyber programmes but operates at vastly greater scale with broader portfolio of capabilities.
• QinetiQ: UK-listed defence technology and security company providing cyber security, secure communications, and systems engineering services to MoD and government. Comparable business model anchored in UK defence and secure ICT delivery, though at much larger scale.
• KPMG UK Cyber Security: Big-4 cyber security practice serving UK government departments and critical national infrastructure. Competes with C3IA for GovAssure and government cyber assurance mandates at significantly larger scale.
• PwC UK Cyber Security: Big-4 cyber and risk consultancy serving UK central government and defence supply chain on resilience, certification and compliance. Competes on the same government cyber mandates as C3IA.
• Mandiant (Google Cloud): Global cyber security consultancy delivering incident response, penetration testing, and cyber assurance services. Comparable in penetration testing and security advisory capabilities though operating at much larger scale across global enterprise and government.

Others

• Silvus Technologies: Manufacturer of StreamCaster MANET tactical radios whose products C3IA resells in the UK. Not a competitor but a strategic vendor partner whose UK distribution relationship defines C3IA's tactical communications offering; included for ecosystem context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/C3IA_UK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c3ia

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about c3ia