Martin Astley

As Chief Information Security Officer at 24|7 Home Rescue, I lead from the front in protecting organisations against ever-evolving cyber threats, but my mission goes far deeper than firewalls and frameworks.

In an industry obsessed with uptime, I talk openly about the downtime no one wants to discuss, burnout, stress, and the mental toll of defending digital frontlines. With more than a decade in IT and security, I’ve lived through the all-nighters, the adrenaline spikes, and the quiet isolation that creeps in when you’re always “on”. Today, I use my platform to humanise cybersecurity leadership and promote a healthier, more sustainable approach to life in tech.

My leadership philosophy combines technical precision with psychological safety, building security teams where people feel supported, not just accountable. I believe mental resilience is every bit as critical as any SIEM or SOC strategy.

Being nominated for European CISO of the Year was a huge honour, recognising not just my team’s dedication but also my drive to reshape how we view leadership in cybersecurity. I’m passionate about mentoring rising talent, speaking honestly about wellbeing, and sparking real conversations about what it truly means to “do the job”.
When I’m not navigating risk registers or compliance frameworks, I’m a dad, a partner, a car enthusiast, and an unapologetic advocate for mental health.