In this episode, we sit down with James Chillingworth, the founder of The Consulting Practice, Inc., a company specializing in cybersecurity and IT consulting across North America. With a degree in mathematics from the University of Waterloo and extensive experience in the field, James shares his journey from software development to founding his own consulting practice. He discusses how his diverse background in performance analysis, architecture, and account management has shaped his approach to cybersecurity.
James explains the importance of maintaining both traditional and modern approaches in the cybersecurity landscape. He highlights his involvement in speaking engagements and volunteer work with organizations like ISSA Los Angeles and the CISO Society, which help him stay at the forefront of industry trends. He emphasizes the need for clear communication with clients, focusing on understanding their business needs and key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide tailored cybersecurity solutions.
Throughout the conversation, James discusses the challenges of scaling a boutique consulting firm, the value of building personal relationships, and the strategic use of automation and AI in marketing and client acquisition. He also explores the future direction of The Consulting Practice, including potential offerings as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and partnerships with other technology firms. James shares his insights on overlapping technologies and the importance of having contingency plans in cybersecurity.
Listeners can reach James via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameschillingworth/. For more insights and resources from the Next Gen Growth team, visit http://www.nextgengrowth.com.
