Some of my Clients Clients
What Does an AI Security Consultant Actually Do? What
I work with technical and leadership teams to understand what AI is actually in use, what the exposure looks like, and what controls are missing. That work is delivered through Black Chili, my security and architecture consultancy, which has built a structured set of AI assurance services specifically for this problem.
The work covers three things: an independent review of your current AI posture, a governance and guardrails framework to close the gaps, and ongoing oversight as the technology and regulation continue to evolve, with practical outputs like an AI inventory, risk register, prioritised controls, and an implementation roadmap.
In practice, this is AI Governance and Risk Management applied to real business use of AI tools and integrations, not theory. I focus on Large Language Models (LLMs), Chatbots, and tools like Microsoft Copilot, where data privacy, prompt injection, and accidental data leakage can quickly create compliance, security and reputational risk.
If you have been told that governance cannot be allowed to delay adoption, you probably need this more than most.
AI Health Check
Understand what AI is in use, what the exposure looks like, and what is missing, including an AI risk assessment of LLMs, chatbots, and AI platforms in your environment.
Governance Design
Build the policies, controls, and AI governance framework needed to close the gaps properly, with practical alignment to ISO/IEC 42001 and NIST AI RMF where useful.
Ongoing Oversight
Stay current as AI tools, regulation, and your own exposure continue to evolve, with continuous security monitoring and periodic assurance reviews.
AI Incident Review
Something has already gone wrong with an AI tool or output, and you need to understand the exposure fast, including support for ICO notification, root cause analysis, and remediation.
How We Secure Your AI How
Evaluate
I assess your AI usage and AI readiness. We look at the models and platforms in use, the data they touch, and how employees actually interact with them, including unsanctioned tools nobody has formally approved.
This is delivered as an AI Exposure Review, a fixed-price independent assessment that gives you a RAG-rated picture of your current exposure, with prioritised, actionable recommendations.
Govern
We set the rules. I help you create acceptable use policies and technical controls. We define what data can be shared with AI and what must stay private.
This is the AI Governance & Guardrails work, mapped where it helps to NIST AI RMF and ISO/IEC 42001, so your framework supports Responsible AI, compliance, and audit-ready evidence.
Stay Assured
Governance is not a one-time project. AI tools, suppliers, and regulation keep moving, and without someone watching, policy and practice quietly drift apart.
Continuous AI Assurance provides standing independent oversight, periodic reassessment, and a second opinion before AI decisions are made, not after. If something has already gone wrong, the AI Incident Review service covers that instead.
Secure AI Consulting & Governance Services Services
AI Exposure
Most organisations do not have a complete picture of what AI is in active use, what data it touches, or who approved it.
- Shadow AI in use across teams
- Unclassified data entering public models
- Supplier and platform risk
Governance Gaps
Adoption has outpaced policy in many organisations. The rules for how AI should be used either do not exist or are not being followed.
- No acceptable use policy
- Unclear ownership and accountability
- No approval process for new tools
Data Risk
Sensitive data, customer information, and confidential IP are finding their way into AI systems that were never designed to handle them.
- PII entering third-party models
- Confidential IP in training data
- Data residency and sovereignty
Regulatory Pressure
The EU AI Act, ISO 42001, and evolving data protection obligations mean that how you use AI is increasingly subject to external scrutiny.
- EU AI Act obligations
- ISO 42001 readiness
- GDPR and data protection alignment
Supply Chain Risk
The AI tools your teams use are built on third-party models, APIs, and infrastructure. That supply chain carries its own risks and obligations.
- Vendor and platform assessment
- Third-party model risk
- API and integration security
Technical Controls
Governance without controls is just paperwork. The right technical guardrails need to be in place to make policy real.
- Identity & Access Management
- Access and permission controls
- Data masking and data loss prevention for LLM and chatbot inputs
- Output monitoring and filtering
Proven Results Across Industries Testimonials
Ballicom
A large and well established IT ResellerWe had an element of complacency in our cyber security policies. We decided to embark on the CE+ journey in preparation for potentially becoming accredited for ISO27001 in the near future. We underestimated the vulnerabilities that existed on our set up. Paul helped us through each one to deploy policies that would solve the issue not only for the certification but ongoing for the future. Paul is extremely knowledgeable and takes a very proactive approach. We look forward to working with him again in the future.
Karen
Cyber Security Programme ManagerPaul is technically brilliant, the best CTO I’ve worked with. Incredibly knowledgeable and strategically knows exactly what is required for an organisation. Paul is so adept at understanding the nuances and needs of a business quickly. Great to work with and a confident decision maker. I’ve worked with Paul on some very demanding programmes with complex customer organisations and it is always genuinely a pleasure; we just were always able to get things done!
Stuart
Account ManagerPaul has built an outstanding reputation for security, not only through an in-depth understanding of the latest technologies and trends but also in the ability to deliver solutions that ensure robust protection for organisations, often in highly complex and regulated environments. What truly sets Paul apart is the genuine care and commitment to creating long-term value for clients.
Bal
Security ArchitectI have had the pleasure of by working with Paul over the last 10 years. I have found him to be one of the best technical Security Solution architects with brilliant understanding on how security is applicable to a business. He was my go to guy for whenever I needed help and guidance on my designs that I was producing. His experience especially around the governance and security best practices were invaluable to me personally.
Nigel
Programme ManagerI have had the pleasure of working with Paul on a number of projects over the past few years. Paul's knowledge seems to be boundless, his ability to take on new technology and quickly come up to speed and become an authority is a skill not held by many. He builds great relationships at all levels in an organisation and is comfortable working with people at the sharp end of delivery rolling up his sleeves or presenting the 30,000 foot view to senior members.
Nav
Security ConsultantPaul has a wealth of experience across a number of technical domains and a keen eye for detail. He really demonstrated these traits when he supported me in the technical governance area of the programme. I inherited a very complex and unmanageable governance function and with Paul's assistance, I was able to turn it into an efficient and scalable function capable of supporting the demanding needs of the programme.
Andrew
Project ManagerPaul was highly supportive and that combined with his wide technical and practical knowledge of IT and his familiarity and understanding of IT processes made him a key and valuable member of the project team. He is personable and able to easily work with others at all levels and despite working on other projects concurrently has always been responsive and there when needed.
Matt
Security SalesHugely competent technically, Paul has an extremely broad range of knowledge and goes out of his way to diligently research, and quickly become expert in, any gaps he identifies or new technologies that interest him. I am constantly impressed by his desire and motivation to keep learning. Paul is a trusted advisor to peers and senior management alike.
Joe
Principal ArchitectPaul is a very professional, knowledgeable, approachable and skilled individual, with a clear wealth of experience in the role and sector. He communicates clearly, builds good working relations, is proactive, motivated and ever positive and calm, even in challenging situations. Having someone such as Paul to work with, with his strong leadership qualities, calm manner and deep technical knowledge base (in cloud, especially) was/is tremendously valuable, and he was ultimately instrumental in many of our successes.
Craig
MicrosoftI've worked with Paul over several years and on several projects. Always found Paul to be insightful, technically astute whilst also working to provide the customer with the desired outcome. A good sounding board to bounce off ideas and someone that will give you straight answers. I'd welcome the opportunity to work with Paul again, he'd be a massive asset to any team.
Matt
Amazon AWSI have found Paul to be extremely knowledgeable in technical areas but also combines that with a pragmatic attitude to build what works for the client. He has a can-do attitude and approaches all projects with enthusiasm to get the job done. It is to his credit that client engagements frequently ask for him.
Mark
Project ManagerPaul's technical knowledge is without question one of the highest, and most thorough, I have to this day encountered. As a Project Manager having an Architect like Paul assigned to one of my projects was a massive boost. His ability to communicate with both technical and non technical people alike meant that he was just as much at home in design meetings as he was in customer meetings, which is a massive asset.
Trudi
gov.ukPaul is unbelievably clever, pragmatic, honest and witty. His intellect and intelligence have great depth and substance and I'd have him on my IT Delivery team any day of the week as his contributions shape smart decisions and clear project direction. He's a great bloke too.
Carl
MicrosoftI had the pleasure of working with Paul on enterprise-wide transformational projects. Paul's aptitude and unquestionable talent throughout the planning, design, and delivery stages was exemplary. Paul can extol the virtues of cloud computing and communicate at all levels. I have no hesitation in recommending Paul.
Victoria
Cyber Security AdvisorI've worked with Paul for over 10 years now. He's technically astute, fantastic at solving problems and a great communicator who easily makes complex solutions understandable for non techie stakeholders and colleagues.
Sir Christopher Ashleigh-Allen
CEOThe technical assurance that Paul provided was invaluable in helping to manage other technical resources, and I’m sure without his input and assistance then several projects would not have delivered as smoothly as they did. I always had the utmost confidence in Paul, who is also a very personable chap to work with, and would welcome the opportunity to work with him again on other projects & programmes of work.
Ian
Programme DirectorPaul consistently demonstrates an excellent technical design and engineering capability combined with a proactive, innovative, solution finding attitude – playing a major part in delivering the UK's first .net / blade server based infrastructure solution. Committed and hardworking with a personable and cheerful demeanour.
Tim
Head of ITVery highly skilled technically, always the first to want to learn new technologies or take on more complex tasks. Very able to nurture more junior members of the team and he was a popular guy within his team and across the whole of the function. Very articulate when dealing with the business and senior stakeholders.
Gary
EV Programme DirectorPaul is one of a small number of people I have worked with who combine an exceptional technical capability with a no-nonsense approach. His explanations come in plain English and he always delivers what he says he will, when he said he would. I look forward to working with him again, and would recommend him to anyone who wants to get the job done right first time.
Choose a Plan Pricing
AI Health Check
from £3,000
- Review of your current AI use
- Data classification & protection review
- Supplier and platform risk review
- RAG-rated findings report
- Prioritised recommendations and next steps
Governance & Guardrails
from £12,000
- Everything in the Health Check
- AI Acceptable Use Policy
- Governance framework and risk register
- Approval and onboarding process
- ISO 42001 alignment map
Continuous Assurance
£Get in Touch
- Ongoing oversight of your AI posture
- Review of new tools and supplier decisions
- Governance activity record maintained
- Periodic posture reassessment
- Direct access to your named consultant
AI strategy, AI deployment, and readiness Strategy
If you are moving beyond experimentation into real AI deployment, you need an AI strategy that matches your risk appetite, data posture, and regulatory obligations. I provide an AI Readiness Assessment to confirm what you can safely deploy now, what needs remediation first, and what your next maturity step should be as you move through AI maturation.
Where teams are building or integrating solutions (including custom software development and cloud consulting), I also support AI validation in the delivery lifecycle, so security controls and governance are proven in practice, not assumed on paper. This is also where AI bias risk and algorithmic bias are assessed in context, so Responsible AI requirements do not get missed.
For ongoing assurance, I can implement lightweight automated monitoring tools to spot policy drift, risky prompts, unexpected data flows, and control failures early, before they become incidents.
Assurance, standards, and UK compliance support Assurance
If you need a broader compliance baseline alongside AI governance, I can also help with Cyber Essentials and ISO 27001 in a pragmatic way. That includes hands-on support to prepare for Cyber Essentials certification with clear fixes and a fast, practical turnaround, and practical ISO 27001 implementation that is audit-ready with no unnecessary paperwork.
For cloud-first teams, I also deliver cloud security reviews that simplify protection of data in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, focusing on the controls that actually reduce AI data risk. If you are comparing providers, you may have come across other UK AI security consultancies and delivery partners; the differentiator here is independent AI assurance reviews, risk assessments that honestly evaluate threats without scaremongering, and clear security controls you can implement quickly. The differentiator here is independent AI assurance reviews, risk assessments that honestly evaluate threats without scaremongering, and clear security controls you can implement quickly.
If you are searching for cybersecurity consultancies specialising in UK SME compliance, ISO 27001 certification consultants, Cyber Essentials certification providers, AI security advisory firms, or cloud security service providers, this is built to be a practical alternative to larger delivery partners. You may also be comparing well-known names such as Bridewell, Protiviti, Lumaris Consulting, Future Processing, Cyber Alchemy, ZRC, Toro, AI Protect, or similar consultancies – the focus here is independent assurance and hands-on delivery that fits SME reality.
Where appropriate, I can align work to recognised schemes and bodies such as CREST, and support team enablement and training so governance sticks after the engagement ends.
Start with the AI Health Check Contact
Get Your AI Security Assessment
Contact Info
If your organisation is using AI and you are not certain the governance has kept up, get in touch. The Health Check is the natural starting point.
Location
UK
Email Me
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
The AI Health Check is the natural starting point. It gives you a clear, independent picture of where you stand before committing to anything further. Most organisations find that it either confirms what they suspected or surfaces something they had not considered.
No, and you are not unusual. Most organisations have adopted AI faster than their governance has kept up. The Health Check is designed specifically for this situation - it works with what is already in place rather than assuming a blank slate.
The Health Check tells you where you stand. Governance and Guardrails builds the framework that closes the gaps. If you commission both, there is no repeated discovery - the governance work picks up directly from the Health Check findings.
Yes. Getting governance right before widespread adoption is considerably easier than retrofitting it afterwards. If your organisation is planning an AI programme, early engagement means the framework is ready when you need it.
ISO 42001 is the emerging international standard for AI management systems. The Governance and Guardrails service includes an alignment map against the standard, so the work you do now supports any future certification effort rather than having to be redone.