Aruga Cyber expands in UK with new AI defence & free tools

Aruga Cyber is expanding its UK operations after developing AI-powered cyber security automation technology capable of containing threats within 60 seconds.

The company, headquartered at the Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub (DiSH), has marked a period of rapid growth with the opening of a new office in Luton, Bedfordshire, and an increase in its workforce to six employees during its second year of trading.

Aruga Cyber, which was founded by former Royal Navy submariner David Taylor and ex-British Army co-founder Daniel Long, targets both enterprise-scale organisations and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Its recently developed platform provides real-time cyber defence through AI-driven automation, offering what the company describes as enterprise-grade protection without clients needing to build their own Security Operations Centre (SOC).

During the past year, the firm has broadened its service offering, including fully managed SOC services for more than 10 enterprise organisations. In addition, Aruga Cyber launched its Threat Exposure Management service, designed to increase visibility of emerging cyber risks, and created SOC packages tailored to SMEs. The company has also expanded its partnership programme, enabling IT service providers, cyber security consultancies, and resellers to offer Aruga's services as white-labelled solutions.

Reflecting on the firm's development, Managing Director David Taylor said:

"The past year has been transformational for Aruga Cyber, and we're now on track to double revenue in the next 12 months. We've shown that real-time, enterprise-grade cyber defence doesn't need to come with enterprise-level cost or complexity."

Taylor further emphasised the company's inclusive approach by adding:

"Cyber security shouldn't be a luxury reserved for big corporations. Our free Cyber Compass is designed to level the playing field, enabling businesses of all sizes to understand and mitigate their risks. Drawing from our military background of protecting and serving, our mission is to democratise cyber security and give every organisation the tools to defend itself in today's fast-changing digital world."

Launched in 2024, Aruga Cyber was founded to apply military expertise from defence and cyber operations to the challenges faced by UK businesses in the digital era. With over two decades of experience in these sectors, Taylor and Long have positioned the company to support a diverse range of organisations, regardless of their size or cyber security budget.

As part of its future plans, Aruga Cyber is preparing to launch the free Cyber Compass tool. This online service will enable organisations to complete a cyber resilience assessment through Aruga's platform and receive a tailored threat report instantly, powered by AI. According to the company, this exercise previously required days of expert analysis and cost thousands of pounds; however, the new tool will make it accessible at no cost and provide immediate results.

Aruga Cyber has also increased its visibility in the region's technology ecosystem. The company recently participated in the Greater Manchester delegation that welcomed the Japanese ambassador to the UK, as part of Manchester's Sister City agreement with Osaka. During this occasion, founder David Taylor presented Mayor of Osaka Hideyuki Yokoyama with an engraved compass, referencing both Aruga's military heritage and the symbolism of navigating a path to success.

The company's current service portfolio includes managed SOC services offering 24/7 threat detection, rapid incident containment, and ongoing compliance support. These services are designed to provide continuous, real-time visibility into cyber threats for clients across various sectors, while integrating seamlessly with their in-house IT operations.

Aruga Cyber's recent growth is indicative of continued demand for cyber security solutions that balance advanced threat protection with accessibility for organisations without specialist in-house resources. The scheduled introduction of the free Cyber Compass tool aims to further support these organisations in assessing and enhancing their resilience against cyber risks.