Citation Cyber

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Citation Cyber originated from research and development work at Lancaster University. The company has maintained strong academic ties with universities across the North West, including Lancaster, University of Lancashire, John Moores, and University of Salford, collaborating to explore innovative ways to support clients through technology and security.

In 2018, following a round of private equity investment, the team developed the Cyber Security Portal, which officially launched in 2019. This platform was designed to help businesses — especially startups and scaleups — access the tools and frameworks they need to grow securely. The company prides itself on empowering entrepreneurs with practical cyber and growth solutions.

GROWTH JOURNEY/KEY MILESTONES

•  2014: Achieved ISO 27001 certification.
•  2015: Secured Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and CREST Penetration Testing accreditation.
•  2018: Received private equity investment to fund further growth.
•  2019: Launched the Cyber Portal to scale operations and support SMEs.
•  2022: Acquired by the Citation Group.
•  2025 (planned): Attaining CHECK certification to enable public sector work.
•  2026 (future goal): Expanding into the defence sector with tailored strategy and tooling.

LANCASHIRE ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT

Being embedded within Lancaster University’s ecosystem provided crucial support in the company’s early and growth stages. Through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with the university and Innovate UK, Citation Cyber gained access to valuable research and technical expertise.

The company also actively engaged with students, sponsoring master’s degrees and hosting dissertation projects, which proved instrumental in attracting and retaining top local talent. Ongoing R&D initiatives further strengthened these academic partnerships and contributed to product innovation.

Citation Cyber is an active member of the North West Cyber Security Cluster (NWSCC) and the Lancashire Cyber Alliance, which have provided platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing with regional businesses and universities.

Private equity investment from firms in Preston, Scotland, and the South of England not only provided capital but also expanded the company’s Lancashire-based business network and technical expertise.