Retained Security & Threat Advisory

Security risk rarely appears as a single incident.
For organisations operating internationally, managing high-profile individuals, or handling sensitive information, exposure accumulates quietly across digital, physical, and communications domains long before a compromise becomes visible.

Cyber Defence, Evaluation & Consultancy Ltd (CDEC) provides retained security and threat advisory services for banks, hedge funds, legal teams, media organisations, and private clients who require continuous oversight of technical risk, rather than reactive support after an incident.

We act as a trusted, embedded advisor, providing ongoing guidance on how threats emerge, where exposure exists and what proportionate mitigations should be implemented before problems escalate.

Who this service is for

We are typically retained by:

• Financial institutions and hedge funds

• Law firms and litigation teams

• Media organisations and investigative journalists

• Family offices and high-net-worth individuals

• Organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions

These environments often involve:

• International travel

• Sensitive negotiations

• Confidential investigations

• High public visibility

• Targeted interest from criminals, activists or hostile actors

Where exposure exists, waiting for an incident is not acceptable.

What we provide on retainer

This is not a one-off assessment or audit. It is continuous advisory support, tailored to your risk profile.

Depending on requirements, this may include:

Technical risk advisory

• Assessment of digital, mobile, and communications exposure

• Identification of likely attack vectors and targeting methods

• Practical, proportionate mitigation planning

• Security design reviews for travel, events, or sensitive operations

Travel & operational security support

• Pre-travel technical risk briefings

• Secure communications planning

• Mobile and device exposure reduction

• Guidance on operating in unfamiliar or higher-risk environments

Threat intelligence & exposure monitoring

• Identification of emerging indicators of hostile interest

• Continuous digital exposure review

• Early warning of changes that materially increase risk

Incident readiness

• Playbooks and response planning

• Rapid advisory support when concerns arise

• Integration with legal, security, or corporate teams

Our role is to help clients make informed decisions, not overwhelm them with technical complexity.

How we work

We operate as an independent advisor, not a product vendor.

This allows us to:

• Recommend only what is necessary

• Focus on outcomes rather than tools

• Scale support based on risk level

• Remain discreet and confidential

Where appropriate, our advisory work may be supported by specialist capabilities such as:

• OSINT & digital exposure investigations

• Surveillance detection and bug sweep services

• Testing current operating environments as an adversary would

• Continuous monitoring systems

These are deployed only when risk justifies them.

When a retained advisory model is appropriate

Organisations typically move to a retainer when:

• Risk is ongoing rather than occasional

• Executives or staff travel regularly

• Operations involve sensitive or contentious matters

• Exposure could create legal, reputational, or personal consequences

• Ad-hoc consultancy is too reactive

In these cases, continuous oversight is more effective and more economical than repeated incident response.

A discreet, long-term partnership

All engagements are handled confidentially and tailored to the client’s operational context.

Our objective is simple:
Reduce exposure, increase resilience, and ensure informed decisions before issues become incidents.

What does a security risk advisory involve?

Independent assessment of digital, physical, and operational risks to inform proportionate decisions.

Who typically uses advisory services?

Law firms, executives, family offices and organisations managing sensitive situations.

Is this consulting or operational work?

Advisory provides strategy and guidance, sometimes supported by investigative or technical services.

Can services be ongoing?

Yes, advisory support can be provided continuously or as needed.

Speak with us confidentially

If your organisation requires ongoing technical risk oversight or retained advisory support, we are available for discreet discussion.

Email: enquiries@cyberdec.co.uk