Zayn Otley

World-Class Cybersecurity Training

Delivering Certification Success to Defence, Government, and Corporate Teams

Unrivalled First-Time Certification Pass Rate

About Zayn Otley

A highly accomplished independent cybersecurity instructor and consultant with over 30 years of industry experience and a passion for developing professionals.

Zayn Otley, cybersecurity instructor

Over my career, I've trained over 15,000 professionals worldwide, including personnel from the U.S. Department of Defense, the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO and allied nations. As a former CISO and CTO with a teaching degree, I bring a unique blend of deep technical expertise and real-world leadership to my training programmes.

My instructional approach is learner-centred and mission-focused, employing interactive labs, "war story" case studies, and structured methods grounded in educational science. My goal is to equip you with practical skills and the confidence to excel in your certification exams, using proven techniques from NLP, cognitive psychology, and modern teaching methods.

Key Credentials & Qualifications:

  • Multiple top certifications including: CISSP, CCSP, CEH, CCISO, Security+, Linux+
  • Certified EC-Council Instructor (CEI)
  • Post-compulsory Certificate in Education (Cert Ed), from the University of Central Lancashire, England
  • Training provider to the U.S. Department of Defense since 2019, recently appointed as official vendor for DSCA and GCMC

Why Choose Zayn Otley?

Unrivalled 100% Pass Rate

Maximise your training ROI with first-time certification success.

Qualified Educator & Trainer

Mastery of instructional design and learning psychology for effective outcomes.

NLP-Backed Methodology

Enhanced comprehension and memory retention using evidence-based techniques.

Extensive Defence Experience

Training aligned with military and interagency environments and requirements.

Comprehensive Post-Training Support

Continued guidance via email up until exam day for all students.

Global & Multilingual

Native English speaker, conversant in multiple languages, engaging culturally diverse cohorts.

Key Training Courses

Intensive bootcamps and specialised programmes designed for certification success and practical skill development.

CISSP Bootcamp

CISSP Bootcamp (5 Days)

Prepare for the (ISC)² CISSP exam. Covers all 8 domains, with interactive labs, daily quizzes, and a final mock exam.

Target Audience: IT/security professionals in assurance, governance, risk, or architecture roles.

Includes: Official Sybex CISSP Study Guide, 900+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £4,400 | $5,950 | €5,250

CCSP Bootcamp

CCSP Bootcamp (5 Days)

Prepare for the (ISC)² CCSP exam. Focuses on cloud security architecture, operations, and governance, with interactive labs, daily quizzes, and a final mock exam.

Target Audience: Cloud security engineers, architects, and cybersecurity staff.

Includes: Official Sybex CCSP Study Guide, 900+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £4,400 | $5,950 | €5,250

CompTIA Security+ Bootcamp

CompTIA Security+ Bootcamp (5 Days)

Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam. Covers all security domains with hands-on labs, performance-based questions practice, and comprehensive review sessions.

Target Audience: Entry to mid-level IT professionals seeking DoD 8570 baseline certification.

Includes: Official Sybex Security+ Study Guide, 800+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £2,070 | $2,795 | €2,450

CompTIA Linux+ Bootcamp

CompTIA Linux+ Bootcamp (5 Days)

Prepare for the CompTIA Linux+ (XK0-005) exam. Comprehensive Linux system administration training covering installation, configuration, security, troubleshooting, and automation.

Target Audience: System administrators, DevOps engineers, and IT professionals working with Linux environments.

Includes: Official Sybex Linux+ Study Guide, 800+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £2,070 | $2,795 | €2,450

CEH v13 Bootcamp

CEH v13 Bootcamp (5 Days)

Prepare for the EC-Council CEH v13 exam. Comprehensive ethical hacking training with hands-on penetration testing labs, real-world attack scenarios, and defensive countermeasures.

Target Audience: Security analysts, penetration testers, and IT professionals seeking offensive security skills.

Includes: Official EC-Council courseware, virtual lab environment, 750+ practice questions.

Investment: £3,300 | $4,460 | €3,895

CCISO Bootcamp

CCISO Bootcamp (4 Days)

Prepare for the EC-Council CCISO exam. Executive-level training covering information security governance, risk management, compliance, and strategic leadership for Chief Information Security Officers.

Target Audience: Senior security executives, CISOs, security managers, and professionals seeking C-level security leadership roles.

Includes: Official EC-Council courseware, executive case studies, 600+ practice questions, leadership frameworks.

Investment: £3,460 | $4,680 | €4,095

CISM Bootcamp

CISM Bootcamp (4 Days)

Prepare for the ISACA CISM exam. Comprehensive information security management training covering governance, risk management, incident response, and programme development and management.

Target Audience: Information security managers, IT managers, consultants, and professionals responsible for information security programmes.

Includes: Official Sybex CISM Study Guide, 800+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £2,960 | $3,995 | €3,495

CISA Bootcamp

CISA Bootcamp (4 Days)

Prepare for the ISACA CISA exam. Comprehensive information systems auditing training covering audit processes, governance, systems controls, and business continuity management.

Target Audience: IT auditors, consultants, governance professionals, and those responsible for information systems assurance and control.

Includes: Official Sybex CISA Study Guide, 800+ practice questions, flashcards, exercises.

Investment: £2,960 | $3,995 | €3,495

Domain Specific Courses

Custom course content can be designed to meet specific client needs (e.g. NIST, DoD 8140/8570). Training can be delivered virtually or on-site, with flexible scheduling.

Defence & Government Sector Expertise

Specialised training solutions for U.S. Department of Defense entities, NATO, and allied security organisations.

My training is uniquely positioned to support the mission readiness of defence and security organisations. My deep understanding of this sector ensures that courses are not only certification-focused but also directly applicable to operational mandates.

Mission Alignment

Courses mapped to international standards (NIST, (ISC)², ISACA) and DoD Directive 8140/8570 requirements.

Proven Track Record with DoD & Allies

Official training vendor for the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Successful training for U.S. Army, USAF, Space Force, NATO, UK MoD, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.

Security Cleared & Culturally Aware Instruction

Respect for protocol and understanding of military/interagency environments.

Immediate Operational Impact

Practical skills to mitigate threats, improve compliance (DISA STIGs, NIST 800-53), and implement best practices.

Flexible Delivery for DoD Schedules

Compressed timelines, secure on-site training, and multi-time zone accommodation.

Defence and Government Training

Student Success Stories

Hear directly from professionals who have benefited from my expert instruction.

"I cannot stress enough how amazing of an instructor Zayn truly is. Any complicated topic that I struggled understanding (doesn’t help that I’m dyslexic and have an auditory processing disorder) Zayn explained in logical terms and really made sure I understood. Zayn is really understanding, tells you exactly how to pass and always reassures you with saying if you do X,Y and Z you will definitely pass. Even on completion of the course Zayn made it clear any of his students can message him whenever and he will get back in a timely manner (what in my eyes is going above and beyond the call of duty!) Many thanks to you Zayn, will definitely be using you again for any future certification where I can / possible ! "

Tom H, Cyber Security Analyst

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2025

"Zayn was my CEH instructor. His teaching style was truly straightforward and efficient. His passion for cybersecurity is evident, and it’s truly inspiring. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have learned from Zayn and would highly recommend him as an instructor to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in cybersecurity and to pursue Infosec certs."

Jan Cantaert - Ing., CIS Engineer Officer @ Belgian Defence

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024

"I’d like to thank you for helping me on my journey to earn the CompTIA CASP+ certification. Your ability to break down complex security concepts and make them relatable has been a game-changer. The hands-on labs, real-world scenarios, and practice exams have been invaluable in building my confidence and expertise. If you want to actually learn and pass your certifications, make sure you contact Zayn!"

Carlos Y, IT Technician

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024

"Absolutely delighted to have had Zayn as my teacher for the CISSP course! He kept telling us we were going to pass the first try, and I had my reservations. But what happened? His study methodology combined with his clear explanations of the course material, emphasis on the right things and fantastic humour worked! Would recommend and will recommend! Thank you again!"

Gie Van Aken, Information Security Analyst

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024

"Zayn was an excellent instructor for CISSP. He provided more than enough resources to study and prepare for the exam. He taught his own unique way of studying which helped me pass CISSP on the first try. His experience also provides insight in how to go after phrasing questions and how to find your answer. I cannot recommend him enough!"

Nathan Moore, Information Security Manager, US Army

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024

"Zayn is a full professional always willing to extend his assistance to those who seek guidance on the path of Cybersecurity. During our interactions, while serving at HQ US EUCOM, Zayn established strong bonds with other Cybersecurity professionals who took advantage of Zayn's expertise academically and on-the-job experiences. His commitment to helping others goes beyond the time allowed per course, making Zayn a true asset to any organization or Cybersecurity professional."

Raul Trujillo, HQ USEUCOM ECJ6-JCC | Defensive Cyberspace Operations, Network Warfare Strategic Planner, U.S. European Command

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024

"Every now and then you run across more than an instructor, you meet a TEACHER. Someone who clearly knows their subject matter but can remain humble enough to know how to convey that information so that others may genuinely LEARN something. Someone who can convey the passion to learn. Zayn is one such teacher and I was fortunate enough enough to have him for a training course and keep looking for a way to study under him again, regardless of the topic. A genuine pleasure to be in anything he teaches."

Arturo Valencia, ISSO @ George C. Marshall Center

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2023

"Zayn is regularly booked as the instructor for some of our classes. He is very easy to work with and received great ratings from our students. It is always a pleasure to be working with him. I can absolutely recommend him 👍"

Corinna Lindner, Army Europe IT Training (AE-ITT) Coordinator - US ARMY EUROPE G6

LinkedIn Recommendation, 2023

Latest Articles and Press Releases

Expert insights, proven methodologies, and practical guidance to advance your cybersecurity career and certification success.

FEATURED June 11, 2025

Achieving 100% First-Time Pass Rates: The Science Behind Certification Success

Discover the proven methodology combining educational science and NLP that delivers consistent certification success. Learn the structured approach behind two decades of training excellence.

CISSP Training Methods NLP
8 min read Read Article
PRESS RELEASE June 2025

Official George C. Marshall Center Training Vendor Recognition

Proud to announce official recognition as a training vendor for the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, supporting transatlantic security cooperation and professional military education.

GCMC Marshall Center Transatlantic Security
3 min read Read Article
PRESS RELEASE May 2025

Official DSCA Training Vendor Recognition: Supporting Global Security Cooperation

Proud to announce official recognition as a training vendor for the United States Department of Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), supporting critical defence and security missions worldwide.

DSCA DoD Defense Training
3 min read Read Article

Book Your Free Consultation

Ready to secure your certification? Schedule a 30-minute call to discuss your training goals, timeline, and requirements. I'll answer all your questions and create a personalised pathway to success.

Book Your Free Consultation

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