Question 1

What services does CBS offer?

Accepted Answer

CBS (Connected Business Solve) provides expert consulting across three core areas: Cybersecurity (threat assessment, pen testing, compliance, incident response), Telecommunications (SD-WAN, unified communications, network design, vendor management), and IT Strategy (roadmaps, digital transformation, vendor evaluation, cost optimisation). We match your business challenge with the right specialist consultant.

Question 2

How much does IT consulting cost with CBS?

Accepted Answer

We offer three pricing tiers: Discovery Call at 120 pounds for the first hour, Retained Advisory at 1,500 pounds for a 10-hour block (effective rate 150 pounds/hour), and Full Engagement at 350 pounds/hour including face-to-face meetings, UK travel, written reports, and stakeholder presentations.

Question 3

What industries and sectors do you work with?

Accepted Answer

CBS consults across 54+ sectors including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, government, technology, education, legal, construction, and energy. Our expertise spans every major industry vertical.

Question 4

Are you vendor-agnostic?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. CBS does not resell products, take commissions from vendors, or have preferred supplier agreements. We recommend what is genuinely right for your business.

Question 5

How does the engagement process work?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a consultation request through our website. We arrange a Discovery Call to understand your situation and recommend next steps. From there, we scope the engagement, agree pricing, and get started. No long-term contracts or lock-in required.

Question 6

Do you work remotely or on-site?

Accepted Answer

Both. Most advisory and strategy work can be done remotely. For Full Engagement projects, we include face-to-face meetings with UK travel at no extra cost.

Question 7

What certifications do your consultants hold?

Accepted Answer

Our consultants hold industry-leading certifications including CISSP, CISM, CREST, and CHECK accreditations. We work across Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, SOC 2, PCI DSS, NIST CSF, and GDPR compliance frameworks.

Question 8

How quickly can you start?

Accepted Answer

For urgent requirements, we can typically start within 48 hours. Standard engagements usually begin within 1-2 weeks of the initial consultation.

Question 9

Can you help with Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 certification?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We guide organisations through every stage from gap analysis and policy creation to audit preparation and ongoing compliance. Cyber Essentials typically takes 2-8 weeks, ISO 27001 takes 3-12 months depending on your starting point.

Question 10

What makes CBS different from larger consulting firms?

Accepted Answer

Independence (no product sales or vendor commissions), senior expertise (you work directly with experienced consultants, not junior graduates), and value (boutique rates without Big Four overhead, same calibre at 30-50% less cost).

Independent Cybersecurity,Telecoms & IT StrategyConsulting

Independent Cybersecurity,
Telecoms & IT Strategy
Consulting