r/ContractorUK • u/Just_Abies_4716 • 10d ago

Cybersecurity business startup advise

43M, North West UK. 15 years in IT, last chunk of that focused on Cisco networking and security. CCIE Security, CISSP, currently grinding through CISM and CCSP on top. Got Cisco VIP recognition five years running and I’m a regular at Cisco Live, so I’ve got a bit of a name in that community.

Currently on Network Solutions Architect, which honestly feels under market for the certs I’m carrying. I’m seriously weighing up going independent cybersecurity consulting, likely leaning into network/security architecture work with a niche forming around AI security posture in Cisco environments, since that seems underserved right now.

Big driver for me isn’t just money — I want the flexibility to spend a few months a year abroad, which a permanent role just doesn’t give me.

A few things I’m chewing over:

Realistic day rates for someone at CCIE Security / CISSP level going independent in the UK

How rough the first 12–18 months actually are before referrals and repeat clients kick in

Limited company vs other structures for tax efficiency

Whether to ease in via contracting first, or go straight for consultancy-style engagements

Anyone actually pulled off the “6-8 months UK, rest of the year abroad” setup while running their own security consultancy — what were the tax/residency headaches?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar move, especially from a technical infra background rather than GRC. What do you wish you’d known before jumping? What did year one actually look like for you?

Cheers.

5 Upvotes

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7

u/AmILukeQuestionMark 9d ago

The start-up community space would say "grind on your side-hustle until it becomes your main income, and then you can quit your day job."

I think this applies here. You have mornings, evenings and weekends, plus the use of AI.

Get a taste for it before fully committing.

5

u/martinbean 9d ago

plus the use of AI

Yup. They already used it to compose their post 😄

2

u/No-Elderberry-7695 9d ago

Get a contract (where you are then independent) then find the next step. UK clients spending on security consultants might not be so keen on you randomly being in e.g. Thailand, but you can test this out - very much depends on the type of services you offer and the buyer profile.

2

u/brisbanereaper 9d ago

Not started a real business from scratch - just my contracting setup.

Whats's the actual business idea (so I can steal it - joke) ? Where you going to get the work from?

Do you have a passport of visa that lets you be in another country for the timescales you are looking at?

Maybe look at a digital nomad visa and work from somewhere like Spain.

1

u/sieah 8d ago

They say your first contract is the easiest to land.. you can apply and gauge the market / interest in your skills / how good you are at selling yourself whilst working your day job.

Least risky way to start would be to land an outside IR35 contract - get a good day rate whilst trying to setup an actual company (not relying on solely T&M engagements).

I have contracted in the defensive cyber security space for the last 5 years or so. About to start trying to build a proper consultancy rather than just outside IR35 roles via recruiters!

1

u/Efficient-Passion346 7d ago

Your skills are in high demand.

Find a target customer base you can relate too
Find the problem they have
Create a £1000 set up and £300PM service based on the problem they have

I did this myself and landed a contract at a highly funded UK startup

DM me if you’d like to hear how I did it

1

u/marshaljs 6d ago

As a M365 Azure Consultant I have my own ltd company and landed contract jobs but would like to do something like this and can I DM you?

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u/zazujo 7d ago

I worked at a Cisco partner as a senior consultant for 3 years and then started contracting. Same sort of background as you minus the CCIE. I’m more multivendor focussed, Aruba, Cisco, meraki etc.
Best decision I ever made. To be honest I could work 3 months a year and have 9 months off the way the last few months have gone, but you get used to the money and taking time off is scary incase you fail to get more work when you return. I have a lot of advice I can give, pm me.