UK cyber security expert available for media comment
Looking for a cyber security expert who can explain a story in plain English and meet a deadline?
Kevin Walker is Founder and Senior Cyber Security Consultant at Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, a Chesterfield-based UK cyber security company. He provides practical, plain-English media comment on cyber attacks, ransomware, data breaches, phishing, scams, Microsoft 365 security and cyber resilience.
With more than 20 years’ experience supporting schools, smaller businesses and local organisations, Kevin brings practical insight from somebody still working with the organisations affected by these issues.
Available for written quotes, news articles, radio, podcasts, interviews, background briefings and rapid media comment.
Typically responds to media enquiries within two hours during working hours.
Media contact: media@blackswancyber.co.uk
For deadline enquiries, please include MEDIA REQUEST in the subject line.
Need a cyber security expert who can quickly explain what happened, why it matters and what people should do next?
Kevin Walker is a working cyber security practitioner with more than 20 years experience supporting schools, smaller businesses and local organisations. He provides clear, practical comment on cyber incidents without jargon, scare tactics or a vendor pitch.
Available for written quotes, background briefings, radio, podcasts, interviews and broadcast discussion on UK cyber security stories.
For deadline enquiries, please include MEDIA REQUEST in the email subject line.
Previously featured in
Close enough to the problem to explain what it actually means.
Cyber stories often become difficult when technical detail gets in the way of the real story. Kevin's job is to help make the important part clear.
Working practitioner
Kevin still works directly with schools and smaller organisations, so his commentary comes from the problems organisations are dealing with now.
20+ years supporting organisations
Experience across education, smaller businesses and local organisations, including technical and governance responsibilities.
Plain English
Technical issues translated into clear explanations, usable quotes and practical consequences for a general audience.
No vendor script
Calm, practical commentary focused on what the story means, rather than forcing every incident into a product pitch.
Stories where Kevin can add practical context quickly.
Kevin's strongest commentary sits where cyber security meets day-to-day organisational reality.
UK schools and education
Ransomware, compromised accounts, DfE expectations, safeguarding, recovery and the operational pressures facing schools and trusts.
Small business cyber security
Why smaller organisations are targeted, where basic gaps appear, supplier risk and what proportionate security actually looks like.
Ransomware and disruption
Business continuity, recovery, backups, extortion and what happens operationally when systems suddenly become unavailable.
Phishing, scams and people
Social engineering, fake login pages, business email compromise, pressure tactics and why people should be supported rather than blamed.
Microsoft 365 and identity attacks
Compromised accounts, suspicious logins, malicious inbox rules, MFA gaps and identity-based threats.
Insurance and practical resilience
Cyber insurance, Cyber Essentials, monitoring, MFA, backup, incident readiness and the controls organisations are increasingly asked to prove.
Also available for context on: AI-enabled scams, supply-chain security, data breaches, email security, backup, security awareness and incident response.
Where Kevin may not be the right source: specialist malware reverse engineering, nation-state attribution, detailed digital forensics or legal interpretation. If a story needs a different kind of specialist, we would rather say so than pretend otherwise.
Recent articles and expert comment.
A selection of recent coverage featuring Kevin Walker and Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions.
Use Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a springboard — not a fire drill
Kevin explains why short, regular conversations about real scams help keep security awareness alive throughout the year, and why staff need to feel comfortable reporting mistakes and checking unusual payment requests.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026: What Industry Experts Want You to Know
Kevin explains why awareness alone is not enough, and why everyday controls such as MFA, patching, tested backups, sensible access controls and good email security matter.
Mansfield SMEs urged to close cyber security gap
Kevin explains why small businesses need practical, proportionate cyber security and why recognising the risk is only the first step.
Why everyone is suddenly getting those 'add me on WhatsApp' calls
Kevin explains how scammers can obtain mobile numbers, why an unexpected call does not automatically prove a fresh data breach, and what people should do next.
Job offer scams and unexpected WhatsApp approaches
Kevin explains suspicious recruitment calls, misleading caller IDs and what to do about unexpected WhatsApp approaches. Published by BuzzFeed and also available on Yahoo.
Could banning social media for under-16s harm young entrepreneurs?
Kevin joins TechRound's Quite Contrary debate, arguing for safer ways for young people to build practical digital and enterprise skills.
View more media coverage
Chesterfield cyber expert: 'People are not the weakest link'
Kevin explains why supportive culture, practical training and layered controls are more useful than blaming employees.
Mansfield and Ashfield firms urged to tighten payment checks
Kevin discusses payment fraud, verification and how criminals exploit urgency and trusted relationships.
Headteacher had the most guessable username-password combo you could imagine
Kevin shares practical examples from supporting schools and why the secure option should be the easy option.
The downfall of the teenage hacker who crippled TfL from his bedroom
Kevin comments on how cyber skills and curiosity can be redirected into lawful careers, mentoring and positive opportunities.
The next cyber scam may look like ordinary office admin
Kevin explains how ClickFix and ConsentFix attacks can hide behind familiar browser prompts, Microsoft sign-ins and routine workplace tasks.
Cyber expert warns Derbyshire firms after global firewall password leak
Kevin comments on passwords, MFA, exposed remote access and keeping firewall devices updated.
Cyber attacks on education are not just an IT problem
Kevin explains the impact on safeguarding, learning, payroll, communications and trust.
Nottingham cyber attack highlights why education security is about more than IT
Expert comment on the operational and safeguarding impact of cyber incidents in education.
Chesterfield cyber security firm strengthens partner network
Coverage of Black Swan's Worldpay introducer arrangement and wider partnership approach.
Chesterfield business leaders highlight quality of life as key to economic growth
Kevin comments on Chesterfield, community and local connection.
Peter Mandelson sent Cabinet ministers covert tracking links
Kevin provides expert cyber security comment on tracking links, trust and online transparency.
Derbyshire cyber security expert urges businesses to act
Commentary following CYBERUK 2026 on cyber security as a core business responsibility.
Investing locally wasn't a strategy; it was instinct
Champion feature covering Black Swan, Chesterfield, community work and local cyber resilience.
Derbyshire businesses face £195,000 average cost from cyber attacks
Kevin responds to government research on cyber attack costs and practical resilience.
One major cyber incident every two days
South Yorkshire-focused comment on incidents, manufacturing risk and business resilience.
Chesterfield cyber security expert shares lessons in leadership and purpose
Coverage of Kevin's appearance on Heimdal's MSP Security Playbook podcast.
Chesterfield cyber security expert steps into the spotlight
Derbyshire Times coverage of Kevin's first podcast and first face-to-camera appearance.
Practical cyber security from somebody still doing the work.
Kevin Walker is Founder and Senior Cyber Security Consultant at Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, based in Chesterfield.
He has more than 20 years' experience supporting schools, smaller businesses and local organisations with IT, cyber security, resilience and compliance.
His work gives him a practical view of the pressures smaller organisations face when cyber security has to compete with budgets, staffing, compliance and keeping day-to-day operations running.
He has also worked as a school network manager and served as a school governor, giving him both technical and governance experience within education.
Approved bios and editorial assets.
These can be copied directly into an article, programme note, podcast description or speaker introduction.
Kevin Walker is Founder and Senior Cyber Security Consultant at Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions. He has more than 20 years' experience supporting schools and smaller organisations and provides practical, plain-English comment on cyber attacks, ransomware, phishing, Microsoft 365 security and cyber resilience.
Kevin Walker is Founder and Senior Cyber Security Consultant at Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions, a Chesterfield-based cyber security company supporting schools, care providers and smaller organisations. Kevin has more than 20 years' experience supporting organisations with IT, cyber security, resilience and compliance. His commentary focuses on making cyber incidents understandable, particularly where ransomware, phishing, Microsoft 365 compromise, cyber insurance and operational disruption affect organisations without large internal security teams.
Clear enough to quote. Useful enough to add context.
Cyber security and technology leadership for smaller organisations.
Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions is a Chesterfield-based cyber security company supporting schools and smaller organisations with managed cyber security, resilience and practical security advice.
Kevin remains hands-on with client environments, suppliers and the day-to-day security problems organisations face.
Kevin is also available for webinars, panels, podcasts and practical cyber security presentations.
Sessions are designed for business, education and leadership audiences who need practical takeaways rather than a technical lecture or vendor pitch.
Common speaking topics
- Cyber security for small businesses
- Cyber security for schools and trusts
- Ransomware and business continuity
- Cyber insurance readiness
- Phishing, scams and supportive security culture
- Microsoft 365 security basics
Available formats
- Webinars
- Conference and business presentations
- Panel discussions
- Podcasts and vodcasts
- Leadership briefings
- Expert roundtables
Useful information for journalists, producers and editors.
Can Kevin provide a quote for a breaking cyber security story?
Yes. Email media@blackswancyber.co.uk with MEDIA REQUEST in the subject line and include your deadline, publication, topic and the kind of comment you need. Kevin typically responds within two hours during working hours.
Can Kevin comment on cyber attacks affecting schools?
Yes. Kevin has direct experience supporting schools and multi-academy trusts, including work as a school network manager and experience as a school governor. He can comment on both the operational and governance impact of education cyber incidents.
Can Kevin explain technical issues for a general audience?
Yes. His commentary is intended to make cyber security understandable to people who do not work in the industry, focusing on what happened, why it matters and what people should take from it.
Is Kevin available for podcasts, radio and interviews?
Yes. Kevin is available for podcast, radio, webinar and broadcast interviews on topics within his areas of expertise. Include the format, topic, deadline or recording date when contacting us.
Is Kevin available for presentations?
Yes. Kevin can provide practical cyber security presentations for business groups, schools, care providers, local organisations and leadership teams.
Is a headshot available for editorial use?
Yes. A high-resolution headshot can be downloaded directly from this page. For alternative photography or other media assets, email media@blackswancyber.co.uk.
What areas does Black Swan support?
Black Swan is based in Chesterfield and supports organisations across Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and the wider UK.
Can Kevin review books, reports or publications?
Yes. Kevin can review selected cyber security books, reports and publications where practical, plain-English expert feedback would be useful.
Tell us the story, the deadline and the question you need answered.
For press, radio, podcast, article or background briefing enquiries, contact Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions. Include your publication, deadline and the angle you are working on so Kevin can respond as usefully as possible.
Local tech community
Proud member of Tech Exchange Chesterfield
Black Swan Cyber Security Solutions is proud to be part of Tech Exchange Chesterfield, a local community bringing together people from Chesterfield’s tech and digital sector.
Tech Exchange helps developers, digital businesses, IT leaders, creatives, students and curious professionals meet, share ideas and build useful local connections.
For us, it fits perfectly. Cyber security should not sit in a silo. It works best when local businesses, education, technology and community groups talk to each other, learn from each other and help Chesterfield’s digital economy grow safely.
Visit Tech Exchange Chesterfield
Meet Kevin: Founder of Black Swan
Concerned about cyber security? Need advice or a tailor-made quote? Kevin is here to help you!
From actionable advice to helping you to see where you could be at risk, Kevin will help you to get your business on a path that is secure-by-design and ready for the unthinkable.
Ready to replace sleepless nights with peace of mind? It all starts with an informal chat!
Either schedule a call by selecting a suitable date and time on the calendar or by clicking the button below to send us a message.