This year marks 8 years for C2 Risk in the world of risk management and cybersecurity. 2024 has already kicked off to a strong start with our Privacy Toolkit Solution achieving recognition as a finalist at Piccaso for ‘The Most Impactful Privacy Product Award’, showcasing its outstanding contribution to the field of data privacy and protection. As well as winning the CIR Management, Risk Management Innovation of the Year Award. 

But that’s not all—our partnership with the Cabinet Office has garnered recognition at the Security Excellence Awards 2024. Nominated for “Security Innovation of the Year” and “Security Project of the Year,” we’re at the forefront of innovation and excellence in privacy management and security. Also named shortlist for the Teiss Awards 2024, for Best 3rd Party Risk Management Solution. 

While we’re proud to be sharing some of the wonderful achievements, it’s left us reflecting on just how C2 Risk has evolved into what it is today. So, we sat down with C2’s Founder Jonathan Wood, to break down the last 8 years and share how we got here. 

Founding Years (2015-2017)

C2 Risk formally known as C2 Cyber emerged in 2015, founded on the principle of addressing the burgeoning challenges of security in the digital age. Recognising the need for tailored solutions, Jonathan Wood recounts, “In my previous roles, there was a clear gap in providing comprehensive risk management and consultancy.” This realisation catalysed C2’s inception, marking the beginning of a journey to support businesses in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and achieving true risk management and supply chain risk understanding. 

Initially focused on consultancy, C2 began delivering services to the UK intelligence community. However, they soon identified opportunities in the private sector and expanded their services beyond just consultancy.

And within two years, C2 experienced a significant milestone with a successful fundraiser in 2017. This pivotal moment allowed the company to expand its reach and capabilities, laying the groundwork for future endeavours and ultimately building lasting relationships with reputable brands. 

Pioneering Solutions (2019-2020)

In 2019, C2 introduced Cobra, a groundbreaking portal and vendor risk management service. However, Wood recognised that businesses needed more than just a technological solution. “We saw businesses struggling to navigate the evolving landscape of risk management. While technology was crucial, there was a clear need for consultancy services to provide strategic guidance and support.” Many existing solutions for comprehensive risk management require the use of multiple tools and significant resources. This motivated the C2 team to tirelessly work towards establishing a one-stop solution and consultancy service. 

This innovative approach not only centralised risk management for organisations but also enabled them to minimise resource allocation to keep costs low and risk management effective. Leveraging state-of-the-art AI and intelligence, C2 ensured that resource and administrative overheads remained at an unprecedented low compared to competitors. 

Expanding Horizons (2021-2022)

As 2021 dawned, C2 embarked on a journey of international expansion in countries such as Germany and Switzerland to name a few, propelled by successful fundraising rounds. This pivotal phase enabled the company to introduce new products and services, further broadening its global footprint. With an unwavering commitment to providing holistic risk management solutions, C2 positioned itself as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.

The following year, C2 unveiled its NextGen cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. This revolutionary platform seamlessly integrated consultancy services with cutting-edge technology, empowering organisations to navigate risks with confidence and agility. 

From securing significant SaaS contracts to the business exceeding £1m in revenue in 2022-23, C2’s trajectory reflects a remarkable tale of growth and success.

Charting the Future (2023 and Beyond)

C2 empowers organisations to leverage their existing infrastructure while benefiting from cutting-edge risk management solutions, ensuring business compliance and setting a new standard for efficiency and effectiveness in the industry. Regardless of industry standards, C2 aims to position itself as best in class for risk and compliance management. Their platform can be bespoke, adhering to a plethora of regulations to keep businesses future-proof and compliant.

Last year C2 went through a brand overhaul with a new name C2 Risk, a new approach to position the brand within the risk management field beyond cyber and support the company’s expansion into Privacy and ESG. 

In 2023, welcomed new leadership under CEO Will Jackson, bringing with him a vision of growth and innovation. With a relentless commitment to forging a safer, more resilient world, the company continues to push the boundaries of risk management and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Over the years, C2 has successfully positioned itself as a leader in the industry, bolstered with award wins and product recognition within the field. C2 offers unparalleled expertise and support in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and risk management. 

To find out how you can partner with us, contact our team today. About C2

C2 is a UK risk management scaleup on a mission to help businesses survive and thrive in the digital economy. C2 helps organisations manage security and compliance in a way that’s unique to their business and that does more than simply ticking off digital checkboxes. C2’s industry-leading platform supports the public and private sectors in managing their threat landscape and improving vendor controls, project, privacy, and ESG risks.