Cyber security consultancy forges partnership with Premier League Leeds United

The cyber security consultancy, Pentest People, has forged a digital partnership with the Premier League's Leeds United.
Leeds United fans celebrate the team's promotion to the Premier LeagueLeeds United fans celebrate the team's promotion to the Premier League
Leeds United fans celebrate the team's promotion to the Premier League

Pentest People provides businesses with vulnerability testing services, conducted by a team of consultants, who provide guidance on closing security holes to protect IT systems.

Also known as ‘ethical hackers,’ penetration testers check for any insecure web applications, mobile applications, or misconfigured systems that could allow cyber criminals to steal information or hold it to ransom.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pentest People is led by Gavin Watson, technical director, and Anthony Harvey, sales director, who have grown the company to almost 60 employees in three years.

A spokesman said. "Mr Watson is a highly experienced consultant who wrote a book on social engineering, speaks at industry events and has appeared on television discussing how criminals gain access to sensitive information. Mr Harvey has spent over a decade developing business for FTSE security providers, start-ups and global system integrators.

"In spite of the pandemic, Pentest People has continued to grow and hire local experts to provide cyber security support to small and medium enterprises throughout the UK and Europe.

"When lockdown was first announced in March, the company applied its Yorkshire common sense to help keep clients’ businesses running smoothly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"By quickly developing its SecureGateway device, Pentest People was able to provide clients with a secure way to continue monitoring their systems for vulnerabilities while penetration testers were working from home."

Commenting on the Leeds United digital partnership, Andrew Mason, co-founder of Pentest People said, “We are a growing business that employs local cyber security consultants to help keep businesses safe from hackers.

"Just like any leading team, we are only as good as our people and the majority of them are born and bred Yorkshire folk and life-long Leeds supporters. We wanted to put something back into the local community and give our employees something extra to shout about.”

Pentest People is the fourth business co-founded by local technology entrepreneurs, Andrew Mason and Robin Hill. The pair formerly founded and ran the cyber security business, RandomStorm, until its acquisition in 2014.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Running and growing a business is about building a strong culture where employees feel valued and part of the family. Many of our employees are avid fans of LUFC. We’re happy to support the supporters and put our money where our mouth is,” said Mr Mason.

Fans will be able to see Pentest People’s banners at matches held at Elland Road from September 2020 to 2021.