An effective cyber defence hinges on a strategic, secure-by-design approach – one that factors in potential vulnerabilities and threats before taking action and adjusting the approach accordingly. As we’ve discussed in the first blog in this series, most organisations will need a dedicated security architect who can oversee that strategic vision.
But the field of cyber security is in the midst of a major skills shortage, with 49% of businesses unable to tackle basic projects to keep themselves protected. When cyber defences are put to the test – whether from new threats, wider business transformations, or the need to validate security for an audit, many organisations can find themselves falling short. That’s where our Security Architect-as-a-Service (SAaaS) offering can help.
What does a Security Architect‑as‑a‑Service model do?
Our SAaaS model provides on‑demand access to security architects who operate as an extension of your team, helping to deliver strategic oversight and maintain operational cyber security.
Unlike traditional Cyber Security-as-a-Service offerings, which typically focus on managed detection or response functions, SAaaS is built around maturing your security architecture in the long‑term. It’s consultative, continuous, and directly aligned with your business priorities.
A typical engagement covers a broad spectrum of activity, covering everything from one-off assistance with major projects, to becoming part of a strategy for continuous improvement of cyber defences. Our architects assemble secure-by-design frameworks for ongoing technology projects, support the deployment of innovative protections, and help align internal governance with regulatory standards. We guide cloud migrations, assess compliance posture, and coordinate technical recovery plans when incidents occur. In essence, our role is to make secure by design a living, ongoing process rather than a one‑off initiative.
This flexibility means SAaaS scales around your organisation. We can provide architects for a few strategic days each month or embed them fully in your team during key projects. The approach gives you consistent access to senior expertise without the cost or delay of permanent recruitment or upskilling. And if your requirements change, you can scale the service down or transition to an in-house model without losing architectural oversight or momentum.
The SAaaS model in practice
Our security architects have already helped organisations of all sizes address key security challenges – from responding to urgent breaches to supporting complex, multi‑stage transformation programmes. No two engagements are identical, but all share a common goal: ensuring everyday operations are secure by design, and the business is able to mitigate any potential risk. Here’s some insights into how our SAaaS model has helped all kinds of organisations enhance their cyber defences:
Securing a hybrid workplace: When a multinational organisation needed to enable remote access for thousands of employees, we stepped in to design a solution that was secure by design and aligned with their business goals. We began by assessing their existing infrastructure and planning the most effective route to a secure approach that still met the wider needs of the organisation.
Then, leveraging zero trust network access (ZTNA) principles, backed up by multi‑factor authentication (MFA), and conditional access policies, we made sure remote access didn’t open the door to new threats while minimising friction for users. The result was a secure, scalable environment, equipped for hybrid working, that maintained productivity while protecting critical assets and meeting compliance requirements.
Preparing for a compliance audit: A financial services provider approached us, preparing for a compliance audit with the UK financial regulator. To ensure they were ready, our security architects helped them classify sensitive data, implement data loss prevention (DLP) policies, and created accessible trails of documentation, reducing the admin burden of future audits.
Throughout the process, we worked closely with external auditors, supplying evidence of controls and addressing any gaps before the deadline. Thanks to this proactive engagement, the organisation passed its audit with confidence and clarity, emerging from the process with stronger governance structures and a framework for maintaining ongoing compliance.
Protecting a multi‑cloud environment: With an environment spanning Microsoft Azure, AWS, and on‑premises, a financial services company was struggling to ensure control, consistency, and security across this hybrid infrastructure. Our security architects stepped in to design a cohesive, secure-by-design approach which included identity management, access policies, and centralised logging to ensure a consistent cyber defence across clouds.
Once established, we provided ongoing assessments and detailed remediation roadmaps, helping the business continuously strengthen their security across every platform. The outcome was a unified, visible, and well-managed environment where controls could scale efficiently alongside business growth and evolving compliance standards.
Enabling secure application development: For the launch of a new customer‑facing application, we worked alongside a customer’s DevOps team to embed security throughout their software development lifecycle. We introduced secure coding practices, integrated automated testing into their CI/CD pipelines, and coordinated with an independent testing partner for a full pre‑launch penetration test that ensured total confidence in the customer’s software security before launch.
When the time came, they were able to release a resilient, secure-by-design application that met business and regulatory requirements – and do so on a tight schedule. Our approach not only delivered a trusted end product, but helped their internal team develop their own skills, leaving them with a framework to uphold secure best practices for future projects.
The value of security expertise on demand
As these case studies show, our SAaaS model goes far beyond the capabilities of other Cyber Security-as-a-Service offerings. Rather than focusing on monitoring and responding to one-off threats, our approach provides strategic leadership – not just building out cyber defences, but ensuring your organisation is able to truly benefit from them.
As threats compound, and the cyber security skills gap widens, having the right expertise in place makes all the difference. Whether you need to ensure a new product is truly secure by design, prepare for an upcoming audit, or build out a more robust security posture, our architects work to understand the needs of your business, and ensure the approach we take is the one that works best for you.
If you’re ready to strengthen your security architecture with flexible access to the expertise you need, get in touch to book a consultation with our team.
