Go-to-Market Cybersecurity Advisory Services for Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Emerging Cybersecurity Portfolio Companies

Why did we create

SME CYBERSECURITY?

Bridging Strategy, Capital, and Cyber Expertise

We founded SME Cybersecurity to close a critical gap in the market — the need for specialized cybersecurity advisorydesigned specifically for Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Investment Banking portfolio companies.

Drawing on decades of experience as founders and operators of cybersecurity firms, we recognized that investors and their portfolio leaders often face a unique challenge: aligning growth strategy, technical execution, and market positioning in a sector defined by constant change.

SME Cybersecurity was built to meet that need — providing the strategic perspective, operational insight, and sector-specific experience required to turn cybersecurity investments into enduring enterprise value.

Why did we call the company "SME Cybersecurity?"

The name SME Cybersecurity reflects who we are — Subject Matter Experts with decades of experience building, scaling, and advising successful cybersecurity organizations.

Our expertise is both operational and strategic, grounded in real-world leadership across product development, service delivery, and investment strategy.

We chose the name SME to represent the depth of practical knowledge and market insight we bring to private equity, venture capital, and investment banking partners — not theory, but experience earned from leading and transforming cybersecurity businesses.

Advisory

ADVISORY

Please see our Advisory page for additional information.

OUR CREDENTIALS

ACCOUNTABILITY

Mike Thompson:

With more than 30 years of experience founding, leading, and advising cybersecurity and professional-services organizations, I’ve built and scaled multiple firms across North America and Europe.

My background includes leadership and founding roles at Quanta Cyber, SME Cybersecurity, Critical Cyber, iC Consult Group, ICSynergy International, Ericsson, and Nortel.

I’ve also led numerous M&A initiatives, including:

Heading global M&A at iC Consult Group
Overseeing the sale of ICSynergy International to the Carlyle Group in 2021
Leading acquisition and integration efforts at Nortel Networks

This combination of operational leadership, quantum-security innovation, and transaction experience enables me to advise private-equity partners and portfolio executives with both strategic and practical insight — bridging cybersecurity, quantum technology, identity, and investment strategy with proven execution discipline.

Dr. Shaibal Chakrabarty:

Distinguished Ph.D., combining academic excellence in the cybersecurity space with senior cyber leadership positions at SME Cybersecurity, Critical Cyber, First Citizens Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, AT&T, Cisco, Nortel Networks

Erin Tiedeman:

Founding and leading Professional Services and Customer Success for 25+ years at Critical Cyber, Tealium, Okta, Diligence Consulting, BMC Software, Nuance Communications, Lucent

We each have over twenty years of experience building and running cybersecurity businesses.

According to industry analysts, the Cybersecurity market is projected to grow significantly and reach $501 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 11.6%.

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Advising and Building Dynamic, Sustainable Cybersecurity Companies

OUR MISSION