Outer Hebrides cyber firm wins Scotland tech award

Closed Door Security, based in the Outer Hebrides, has won the Cyber Excellence Award at the ScotlandIS Digital Tech Awards.

The award recognises organisations that develop security tools and services to help defend against, respond to and recover from cyber attacks. Judges highlighted the speed and simplicity of the company's services, as well as its growth from a one-person business into an international provider.

Headquartered in Lewis, Closed Door Security also has offices in the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Its work includes threat-led network penetration testing, cyber governance and Cyber Essentials certification for small and medium-sized businesses.

The win gives a national profile to a cyber security firm operating from one of the UK's most remote areas. It also highlights the role of the Highlands and Islands in Scotland's wider technology sector, which is often seen through the lens of the central belt.

Closed Door Security says it is the only cyber security specialist headquartered in the Outer Hebrides. That gives it a distinct role in serving local organisations, public sector bodies and companies with less access to specialist cyber expertise than counterparts in larger cities.

Demand for cyber security services continues to rise as companies face a growing volume of attacks and more complex threats. The business said advances in artificial intelligence are adding to that pressure, while government-backed schemes such as Cyber Essentials are prompting more small companies to review their cyber defences.

Rural reach

Founded in 2021, the company has expanded beyond its island base into overseas markets. Its credentials include CREST accreditation and status as a certification body for the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Essentials Plus scheme.

The award places Closed Door Security alongside larger and more established names in Scotland's technology industry. For a business from the Outer Hebrides, it marks a notable shift in visibility for rural and island-based technology companies seeking national recognition.

Chief executive William Wright linked the award to the company's location and the message it sends about the region's place in the sector.

"This recognition is hugely important for us," Wright said. "We've always believed that geography should never be a barrier to delivering world-class cyber security services. To be recognised at a national level reinforces that talent and innovation exist right here in the Outer Hebrides."

The company's services range from staff training and vulnerability assessments to penetration testing and red teaming. These are designed to identify weaknesses in networks and systems before attackers can exploit them.

Its expansion comes as organisations across the public and private sectors increase spending on cyber risk management. Smaller businesses in particular face pressure to meet baseline standards on security controls, insurance requirements and supplier due diligence.

For island and rural employers, access to specialist advice can be more limited than in urban markets. That has created an opening for firms able to serve clients remotely while maintaining a local base.

Wright said the award reflected both the company's staff and the community around it.

"This is not just a win for our team, but for the wider community," he said. "We're proud to show that businesses in the Outer Hebrides can compete at the highest level and contribute meaningfully to Scotland's digital future."