About ISC2 East Midlands Chapter
We’re proud to welcome you to the ISC2 East Midlands Chapter – a local hub for cybersecurity professionals, students, and anyone passionate about information security. Our chapter exists to foster a vibrant, inclusive community where individuals from all backgrounds and experience levels can connect, learn, and grow together.
Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, a student exploring a career in cybersecurity, or simply curious about the field, you’ll find a warm welcome here. While we’re affiliated with ISC2, you don’t need to be a member to attend our events or get involved – all are welcome.
Our mission is to support professional development, share knowledge, and build strong networks across the East Midlands region. Through regular meetups, talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, we aim to create a collaborative space where ideas thrive and careers flourish.
Come and join us – let’s secure the future together.
Simon Salmon
East Midlands Chapter President
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Membership Benefits
- Earn CPEs by participating in professional activities
- Network with fellow professionals
- Gain access to free and low-cost training sessions
- Participate in mentoring opportunities as a mentor or mentee
- Gain experience in leadership roles
- Participate in co-sponsored events with other industry associations
- Participate in local community outreach projects to educate people about information security
Building an Inclusive Cybersecurity Community
Welcome to the ISC2 East Midlands Chapter, where we’re laying the foundations for a cybersecurity community that reflects the world we protect.
As a newly forming chapter, we’re committed to building from the ground up with diversity, inclusion, and ethical leadership at our core. We believe cybersecurity is strongest when it includes everyone, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience.
We’re especially focused on creating a space where underrepresented voices are heard, and where professionals living with hidden disabilities, whether neurological, psychological, or chronic, can fully participate and thrive. Inclusion isn’t a bolt-on; it’s the lens through which we build trust, challenge assumptions, and secure what matters.
Our Diversity & Inclusion lead is shaping this vision into action, from how we design events and select speakers to how we engage with schools, community groups, and future members across the East Midlands.
Accessibility Statement
We are committed to making our chapter accessible from day one. If you have specific access needs, whether related to mobility, sensory processing, mental health, or hidden disabilities, please let us know. We will do our utmost to provide adjustments, whether that’s quiet spaces, captioning, alternative formats, or flexible participation options.
Accessibility is not an afterthought; it’s part of how we build a cybersecurity community that welcomes everyone.
Whether you’re just starting out or shaping policy, there’s a place for you here.
Chapter Officers
Simon Salmon, MSc CISSP CGRC CCSP CSSLP
President
Simon Salmon has worked in cybersecurity for over 20 years, heading up security across both government and commercial sectors, including leading one of the very first successful global implementations of the BS7799 security framework (now ISO 27001), and working as CISO and CIO for England’s ninth-largest city. He is currently the Managing Director of an East Midlands-based Internet Service Provider (emPSN), based in Nottingham.
With a diverse academic background spanning business, accountancy, and a distinction award in his Master’s degree in Computing, he also holds over thirty certifications related to IT and cybersecurity, covering governance, risk, compliance, and technical specialisms. Simon is a certified lead auditor, forensic specialist, and malware inspector.
Simon also currently serves as president of the East Midlands ISC2 Chapter and as a trustee of a Nottingham-based academy trust. In 2025, Simon was nominated for and won the Global ISC2 Global Excellence CEO Award, recognising his contributions to Cybersecurity.”
Richard Kirk CISSP
treasurer
I’m a founding officer of the ISC2 East Midlands Chapter, committed to advancing cybersecurity awareness, professional growth, and community engagement. With a background in governance, risk, and operational leadership, I focus on translating complex security challenges into practical, business-aligned solutions. I’ve led cross-sector initiatives and enjoy mentoring others, fostering inclusive leadership, and building resilience across teams. Through the chapter, I aim to connect professionals, share real-world insights, and strengthen our regional cybersecurity ecosystem.
Nick Woodley CISSP CCSP
Secretary
I have over 25 years of experience designing and delivering enterprise solutions across regulated industries, including banking, petrochemical, government, and insurance sectors. Starting my career as a Production DBA and Technical Consultant, I progressed through architecture roles at major organisations like Microsoft, BP, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
I am currently working as a Consultant and Auditor at ISSI and Cyber Security Principal at Ascent, where I develop cybersecurity and compliance offerings incorporating AI, DORA, and NIST frameworks for European banks and global engineering companies. I hold CISSP and CCSP certifications along with extensive Microsoft credentials, including Azure Solutions Architect Expert and Cybersecurity Architect Expert, and I’m also a Microsoft Certified Trainer.
I’m passionate about transforming complex technical requirements into practical business solutions that maintain the highest security and operational standards, particularly in cloud environments and emerging technologies like Applied Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models. Cybersecurity must align with the business’s risk appetite while meeting audit and governance requirements.
As Secretary, Chapter Officer, and Founding Member of the ISC2 East Midlands Chapter since March 2025, I’m committed to advancing the cybersecurity profession and sharing knowledge with the community. Based in Oakham, England, I continue to stay current with evolving technologies and maintain hands-on skills to guide clients through their digital transformation journeys effectively.
Darrel Towndrow, SSCP
membership chair
My career has encompassed roles in IT support, network administration, systems integration and management, gaining numerous Microsoft certifications along the way. In 2007 I became a partner in an IT startup, providing managed services to schools and small businesses.
In 2017, a number of client sites were hit with WannaCry. That was the wakeup call that made us understand, from that point forward, we needed to take cyber security very seriously and make it central to everything we do. As a result, I completely reorganised the way we worked, putting in place policies, procedures and systems to try and ensure we never found ourselves in a similar position again.
I decided to undertake a number of formal cyber security certifications to build on my understanding of evolving threats and best practices. This led me to become a member of ISC2 and ultimately to become involved in the establishment of the ISC2 East Midlands chapter.
I am a fervent believer in life-long learning and I hope I am proof you can teach an old dog some new tricks.