Jonathan Horne - CEO of Melbourne IT and Founder of Cyber Aware
Professional Background and Experience
Jonathan Horne is the CEO of Melbourne IT and the Founder of Cyber Aware, an innovative Australian SaaS business focused on addressing the human element in cybersecurity. Horne has a diverse professional background with significant achievements across domain registration, web hosting, and cybersecurity sectors. He established several successful businesses, including New Domain and Domain IP, which were later acquired.
- Education: Horne holds a degree in Information Technology with a focus on Business Systems, Management, Marketing, and Application Development, as well as a Master's in Human Resource Management.
- Role and Involvement: At Melbourne IT, Horne oversees the company's initiatives to build durable and successful relationships with clients, aiming to offer seamless domain and hosting services. Through Cyber Aware, he leads efforts to create easy-to-implement, low-touch cybersecurity educational tools targeted at minimizing human error in security breaches.
Achievements and Recognition
- ACS Digital Disruptor Awards: Under Horne’s leadership, Cyber Aware was named Gold Disruptors in the 2019 ACS Digital Disruptor Awards. The team won Best Cyber Security Project, Product, or Pivot at the YBF Ventures Australia Online Startup & Innovation Awards.
- Innovative Contributions: Cyber Aware's beta service achieved an average risk-reduction of over 80% for a test group of 25 small-to-medium-sized enterprises, showcasing the company’s effectiveness in engaging users and simplifying cybersecurity education.
- Market Influence and Partnerships: Horne frequently showcases Cyber Aware’s services and influences industry practices by participating in key events and partnerships, such as the TECHX conferences, where he engages with stakeholders and demonstrates the value of security awareness training.
Professional Interests and Community Involvement
- Educational Outreach: Horne worked to demystify cybersecurity through engaging training sessions and realistic phishing simulations designed to educate rather than intimidate. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date tech skills and being actively involved in all business endeavors.
- Community and Industry Contributions: He is an active member of the tech community, contributing insights and actively networking to drive industry advancements. Horne values the support provided by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and leverages their resources to stay informed and innovative.
Insights for Sales Outreach
- Client Relationships: Horne prioritizes long-term and successful client relationships, a point to consider when discussing potential collaborations or solutions tailored for Melbourne IT.
- Cybersecurity Focus: Highlighting the value-add of enhanced security measures and user-friendly educational solutions could align well with Horne’s mission for Cyber Aware.
- Innovative Solutions: Emphasizing innovative and practical solutions that improve cybersecurity and business efficiency can capture Horne's interest given his track record of spearheading tech-centric initiatives and being open to new, productive partnerships.
This profiling report on Jonathan Horne encapsulates his professional journey, key achievements, and ongoing contributions to the tech and cybersecurity industry. His role intertwines leadership and a focus on simplifying complex tech issues for broader communities, presenting valuable touchpoints for potential business engagement.
