Cybersecurity Training That Sticks
Lab-driven CISSP, CCSP, CCISO, CEH, CISA, CISM, Security+ and Linux+ training for defence, government and corporate teams.
15,000+ professionals trained • consistently high first-time pass rates
About Zayn Otley
A senior cybersecurity instructor with over 20 years’ experience and a passion for developing professionals.
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. I specialise in CISSP, CCSP, CCISO, CEH, Security+ and Linux+ bootcamps designed for defence, government and corporate teams.
Alongside my work as an instructor, I’ve built and run security programmes in the real world, including serving as a one-person security team (CISO in name only) and acting CTO for a Web3 startup. That experience shapes every course: labs, case studies and discussions are grounded in how systems are actually built, attacked and defended, not just what’s on the exam blueprint.
My instructional approach is learner-centred and mission-focused: lab-heavy courses, real “war story” case studies and structured methods grounded in learning science and cognitive psychology. The goal is simple: practical skills, strong first-time pass rates and long-term retention, not just memorising slides!
Key Credentials & Qualifications:
- Multiple top certifications including: CISSP, CCSP, CEH, CCISO, Security+, Linux+
- Teaching degree (Post-Compulsory Cert Ed) and 20+ years of professional teaching and instruction experience.
- Official training vendor for the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.
- Extensive experience training defence, government, and corporate professionals worldwide.
Why Choose Zayn For Your Training?
Consistently High Pass Rates
15,000+ professionals trained with strong first-time pass rates across CISSP, CCSP, CEH, Security+ and more.
Qualified Educator & Trainer
Mastery of subject matter and proven expertise in instructional design and learning psychology for effective outcomes.
Lab-Driven, Evidence-Based Learning
Hands-on labs, realistic attack scenarios and techniques from learning science and cognitive psychology to maximise understanding and retention.
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.
Cybersecurity & Infosec Certification Courses
High-impact, lab-driven bootcamps designed to build real-world skills and deliver strong certification outcomes.
CISSP Bootcamp (5 Days)
Prepare for the ISC2 CISSP exam with a lab-heavy, five-day bootcamp covering all eight domains, real-world case studies, and exam-focused practice.
Target Audience: Security managers, senior analysts, architects, consultants, and technical professionals transitioning into security leadership roles.
Includes: Official Sybex CISSP Study Guide, access to practice questions, flashcards, and mock exam.
Investment: £3,300 | $4,460 | €3,895
CCSP Bootcamp (5 Days)
Prepare for the ISC2 CCSP exam. Cloud-focused security training with real-world scenarios, architecture discussions, and exam-focused review of all six domains.
Target Audience: Cloud architects, security engineers, security consultants, and IT professionals responsible for cloud security.
Includes: Official Sybex CCSP Study Guide, 800+ practice questions, flashcards, and exercises.
Investment: £3,300 | $4,460 | €3,895
CompTIA Security+ Bootcamp (5 Days)
Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ exam with hands-on labs and real-world scenarios covering network security, threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, and more.
Target Audience: Entry to mid-level IT and security professionals, SOC analysts, and those seeking a baseline security certification.
Includes: Official CompTIA Security+ Study Guide, 900+ practice questions, and lab exercises.
Investment: £2,070 | $2,795 | €2,450
CompTIA SecurityX Advanced Bootcamp (5 Days)
Master enterprise security architecture with the advanced SecurityX (CAS-005) bootcamp. Design, build, and implement secure solutions across complex hybrid cloud environments with hands-on labs.
Target Audience: Security architects, senior security engineers, and professionals with 10+ years IT experience and 5+ years in security roles.
Includes: Official SecurityX study resources, advanced architecture labs, automation templates, comprehensive test bank, and post-course mentorship.
Investment: £3,330 | $4,495 | €4,210
CompTIA Linux+ Bootcamp (5 Days)
Prepare for the CompTIA Linux+ exam with practical training in Linux administration, security hardening, scripting, and troubleshooting across major distributions.
Target Audience: System administrators, DevOps engineers, and IT professionals using Linux in enterprise environments.
Includes: Official CompTIA Linux+ Study Guide, labs, and extensive practice questions.
Investment: £2,070 | $2,795 | €2,450
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 (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 (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 (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
TOGAF®™ Enterprise Architecture Standard (10th Edition) Bootcamp (4 Days)
Master The TOGAF®™ Enterprise Architecture Standard (10th Edition) with expert-led training. Comprehensive enterprise architecture training covering ADM, architecture frameworks, and TOGAF®™ Practitioner certification (OGEA-101, OGEA-102).
Target Audience: Enterprise architects, solution architects, IT architects, business architects, and consultants responsible for enterprise architecture frameworks.
Includes: Official TOGAF®™ Enterprise Architecture Standard (10th Edition) Study Guide, ADM templates, practice exams, architecture case studies. Delivered by accredited TOGAF®™ certified instructors.
Investment: £2,665 | $3,595 | €3,365
CompTIA CySA+ Bootcamp (5 Days)
Master cybersecurity analyst skills with CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-003) bootcamp. Comprehensive training in security operations, vulnerability management, incident response, and threat analysis for SOC analyst roles.
Target Audience: SOC analysts, incident responders, vulnerability analysts, threat hunters with 3-4 years experience
Includes: Official CySA+ study guide, hands-on labs, threat analysis exercises, practice exams, performance-based scenarios
Investment: £2,370 | $3,195 | €2,990
CompTIA PenTest+ Bootcamp (5 Days)
Master penetration testing with CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-003) bootcamp. Hands-on training in reconnaissance, exploitation, attacks, and post-exploitation techniques for ethical hackers and security consultants.
Target Audience: Penetration testers, security consultants, vulnerability analysts, ethical hackers with 3-4 years experience
Includes: Official PenTest+ study guide, exploitation labs, vulnerable target environments, performance-based scenarios, penetration testing tools training
Investment: £2,590 | $3,495 | €3,270
GDPR Foundation & Practitioner Bootcamp (4 Days)
Master EU data protection compliance with comprehensive GDPR Foundation & Practitioner bootcamp. Expert training in data subject rights, DPO responsibilities, compliance implementation, and GDPR enforcement for privacy professionals.
Target Audience: Compliance managers, data privacy professionals, DPOs, legal advisors - no prerequisites required
Includes: Professional GDPR course materials, DPIA templates, Foundation & Practitioner exams, blockchain-verified certificates, CPE credits
Investment: £1,775 | $2,395 | €2,240
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 designed to support the mission readiness of defence and security organisations. As an official training vendor for the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, I ensure courses are mapped to certification frameworks and directly applicable to operational mandates.
Mission Alignment
Courses mapped to international standards (NIST, ISC2, 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.
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 my teacher for the CEH certification, he was a great teacher with great knowledge about the field and the certification. His knowledge of securtity made his teaching very intersting and great to listen to. The methodology he taught, about how to learn the course materials in preparation for the exam was amazing, it made learning the course materials a lot easier and enjoyable. It's something I wish I had known sooner. Overall it was great a learning experience with him, highly recommend!"
Elliot Keogh, Software Engineer, Barclays
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024
"I would absolutely recommend Zayn to anybody, as an instructor/ course leader for any Cybersecurity Certification. His comprehensive training methods are truly world-class, engaging, enjoyable and informative, consistently balancing friendliness, humour and approachability, with cultural and diversity awareness, pure talent and an incredible knowledge of any and all security concepts, subjects and solutions. My recent experience as an apprentice beginning my 2nd year working in ICT, Zayn taught the CompTIA Security+ certification course I attended, his tuition skills gave me the confidence required and rapidly improved my abilities within Cybersecurity, and his revision process shared with students is second-to-none. I passed my Security+ certification first time however, without Zayn's methods and work ethic I don't think that would've been the case. Excellent tutor and all-round great guy, I can't recommend Zayn highly enough!"
Bruce Williams, Apprentice Cybersecurity Officer
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2025
"Zayn was my Security+ instructor. To say he was the best instructor I've had would be an understatement. His passion for cybersecurity and extensive knowledge are truly inspiring. I cannot recommend his teaching style and well-structured study methods highly enough. Thanks to his guidance, I earned my first certification (Security+) on the first try! Another thing that stood out to me was his continued support beyond the classroom. He made it clear that he remains available to assist, and he has always replied in a timely and thoughtful manner. I highly recommend Zayn to anyone seeking to pursue information security certifications."
Aarshi Dwivedi, Cybersecurity Officer, NHS Wales
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2025
"I am happy to recommend Zayn as a Senior Instructor in Cybersecurity, especially for the CISO certification! Learning from him has been a game-changer for me in my cybersecurity career. Zayn has an interesting ability for making complex topics super easy to understand. His step-by-step approach to the CISO certification process is spot on and works like a charm—100% success rate! I can confirm it because it totally worked for me. I can only recommend Zayn 100%. Thanks for your direction!"
Miguel Ortega, Head of Architecture, European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2025
"I highly recommend Zayn for any cyber security role. Not only is he an expert in the field, but he also possesses exceptional interpersonal skills, making him a pleasure to work with. His depth of knowledge in cyber security is impressive and he has a keen eye for identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing effective measures to mitigate them. Zayn has a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a passion for staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. Above all, Zayn is a great person who is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all. I have no doubt that he would be an asset to any organization looking for a top-notch cyber security professional."
Ronald Ewing, Chief Information Officer @ Public Health Command Europe, 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 A. Trujillo, Senior Field Operations Engineer, Two Six Technologies
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2023
"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."
Arturo Valencia, Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) at George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2023
"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, Retiring Service Member, US Army
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2024
"Zayn delivered a CISSP training at the request of the IT infrastructure division of NATO HQ. His performance as trainer was exemplary and we can directly link our group's high pass rate to his skills as trainer. His knowledge of the material, his enthusiasm towards related topics and his teaching methods helped us students to be highly motivated for the exam and confident we would pass. His methods include breaking down the material and highlighting the most important aspects. He equips the students with tools to tackle the exam in a timely fashion and without overspending effort on topics less relevant for them. I strongly recommend Zayn as trainer for exam preparation and I would personally attend more of his training classes if the opportunity arises."
Andre R, Cybersecurity Professional
LinkedIn Recommendation, 2023
"Zayn has been a key training partner for our military and civilian personnel, delivering high-impact CISSP, CCSP, CCISO, Security+ and more. His deep knowledge, passion for cybersecurity and ability to adapt to different audiences have made his courses a success every time. The feedback from participants has been consistently excellent, and many have gone on to pass their exams and take on more responsibility in their roles. 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.
Designing Training for High First-Time Pass Rates: The Science Behind Certification Success
Explore a practical methodology - combining learning science, cognitive psychology and lab-driven practice - that drives consistently strong certification results without resorting to rote memorisation.
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.
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.
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