Michael NicolaouCybersecurity Leader
Co-Founder & CEO · CDMA Services Ltd.

Michael
Nicolaou

Cybersecurity & Network Security Leader. 20+ years building resilient organisations across Cyprus, Europe, and the Middle East.

GRCRiskResilienceSecurity ArchitectureAI Governance
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20+

Years Experience

2017

CDMA Founded

3

Continents Active

4

Board Roles

Engineering Meets
Executive Thinking

Michael Nicolaou

Current Position

Co-Founder & CEO

CDMA Services Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus

CyprusEuropeGCC

Michael Nicolaou is the Co-Founder & CEO of CDMA Services Ltd., a Managed IT Services company delivering reliable day-to-day IT operations with security built into every layer. He is also the Founding Partner of QSecure Technologies Ltd in Dubai, expanding cybersecurity services across the GCC.

With more than 20 years of experience across telecommunications, managed IT, and cybersecurity, Michael has built his career at the point where infrastructure, security, and business strategy meet. Before co-founding CDMA, he held senior engineering roles at Vodafone UK, PrimeTel PLC, SpiderNet Services, and A. Th. Loizou & Son — working on large-scale network, voice, mobile, and video platforms including OTT TV delivery, CDN integrations, backbone networks, and DDoS mitigation.

At CDMA, his focus is on helping organisations adopt technology with structure and control: strengthening security, improving operational resilience, and making complex technical decisions commercially practical. His work combines deep engineering experience with executive-level thinking, particularly in regulated, sensitive, and mission-critical environments across Cyprus, Europe, and the Middle East.

Michael also writes and speaks on cybersecurity, technology strategy, and the responsible adoption of AI in business — with a practical, outcomes-focused approach: clear governance, disciplined execution, and technology that serves the business.

CITEA

Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association

Treasurer Board of Directors · Since Feb 2026

Cyprus Business Council (CBC)

Cyprus Business Council — Dubai Chambers

Member Board of Directors · Since Nov 2025

QSecure Ltd

QSecure Ltd — Cybersecurity Services

Chair of the Board of Directors · Since Jan 2024

QSecure Technologies

QSecure Technologies Ltd — Dubai

Founding Partner · Since Apr 2024

Areas of Deep
Specialisation

Cybersecurity & GRC

Governance, risk, and compliance programmes designed for real-world outcomes. Security architecture, risk assessment, and regulatory alignment across EU and GCC frameworks. vCISO advisory, ISO 27001 readiness, and incident response planning.

Network Security & Architecture

Large-scale network design and security for telecommunications, ISP, and enterprise environments. DDoS mitigation, backbone networks, BGP/MPLS, carrier edge hardening, and zero-trust architecture.

Managed IT & Cloud

Managed services, cloud adoption, and business continuity for organisations that need technology to work reliably. Security-first IT operations across identity, endpoints, networks, cloud, and backup.

Technology Strategy

Executive-level technology strategy that bridges deep engineering knowledge and business objectives. AI governance, digital transformation, and technology investment decisions.

Voice, Mobile & OTT Platforms

20+ years of experience across voice, mobile, and OTT video platforms. CDN integrations, IPTV delivery, mobile core (2G/3G/4G), fixed telephony, and next-generation communication infrastructure.

Industry Leadership & Education

Board roles across CITEA, QSecure, and the Cyprus Business Council (Dubai). Cisco instructor for CCNA/CCNP/CCDA. Active in shaping technology policy and business links between Cyprus, Europe, and the GCC.

A Career Built
on Infrastructure

From systems engineering to co-founding CDMA and QSecure — two decades of engineering and leadership across telecommunications, managed IT, and cybersecurity.

Co-Founder & CEO | Managed IT Services (MSP) | Security-first IT Operations

CDMA Services Ltd

Jun 2017 – Present

Nicosia, Cyprus

CDMA Services Ltd is a Managed IT Services company delivering reliable day-to-day IT operations with security built into every layer — identity, endpoints, networks, cloud, and backup. We help organizations run stable, scalable IT while reducing risk through security-first standards, monitoring, and best-practice controls.

Network Engineering & ArchitectureSecurity Solutions Development

Chair of the Board of Directors

QSecure Ltd

Jan 2024 – Present

Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus

Provide board-level oversight, strategy, and governance. Support growth, partnerships, and service direction in cybersecurity.

Board GovernanceBoard Leadership

Founding Partner

QSecure Technologies Ltd

Apr 2024 – Present

Dubai, UAE

Co-founded QSecure Technologies in Dubai to expand the group's cybersecurity presence across the GCC. Lead business growth, partnerships, and go-to-market strategy for cybersecurity and selected IT services. Drive delivery and quality for advisory and technical engagements: security assessments, risk/GRC, and incident readiness. Support compliance and security program builds aligned to ISO 27001 and NIST practices.

Cybersecurity Advisory (vCISO)GRC & RiskISO 27001 ReadinessIncident Response Readiness

Co-Founder, CEO

QSecure Ltd

Jun 2017 – Aug 2024

Nicosia, Cyprus

Built and scaled cybersecurity services and delivery operations. Led key client engagements, security roadmap planning, and risk reduction initiatives.

Security Solutions DevelopmentNetwork Engineering & Architecture

Technical Authority, Video Network Engineering

Vodafone

Jun 2015 – May 2017

Newbury, Berkshire, UK

Technical authority for OTT TV service across fixed and mobile networks. Led resilience work: DDoS mitigation, traffic engineering, performance improvements. Managed vendor and content partner integrations (CDN/edge/network components).

Network Engineering & ArchitectureOver-the-Top Content (OTT)

Senior Networks and Systems Engineer

PrimeTel PLC

Jan 2010 – May 2015

Nicosia, Cyprus

Designed and delivered ISP/carrier backbone network expansions for MVNO/MNO and fixed telephony platforms. Planned and implemented xDSL, fiber, mobile broadband, and wireless rollout connectivity across Cyprus. Managed international backbone connectivity and core routing (BGP/MPLS). Administered mobile core elements (Huawei) supporting 2G/3G/4G packet core functions. Operated and hardened security controls on carrier edge (Juniper SRX, Cisco ASA).

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

Cisco Instructor (Part-Time/Occasional)

Computrain Technical Institute

Sep 2008 – May 2015

Nicosia, Cyprus

Delivered Cisco curriculum as an instructor for CCNA, CCNP, and CCDA (evenings/weekends). Prepared professionals for certification with hands-on labs in routing, switching, troubleshooting, and design.

Cisco IOSCisco Technologies

Senior Networks and Systems Engineer

SpiderNet Services PLC

Dec 2006 – Jan 2010

Nicosia, Cyprus

Maintained and improved ISP backbone infrastructure, ensuring stability, performance, and high availability. Delivered corporate network deployments and ongoing support. Operated core ISP services (DNS, proxy, email). Acted as 3rd-line escalation for complex customer and backbone incidents. Supported perimeter security and access (firewalls/VPN).

Network Engineering & ArchitectureLinux System Administration

Senior Network Engineer

A. Th. Loizou & Son Ltd

Jul 2005 – Dec 2006

Nicosia, Cyprus

Delivered network deployments for managed customers, from design to implementation and support. Managed LAN/WAN connectivity, routing/switching, and remote access for business environments. Owned incident troubleshooting and service restoration.

Consultancy ServicesNetwork Administration

Senior Systems Engineer

A. Th. Loizou & Son Ltd

Jul 2003 – Oct 2004

Nicosia, Cyprus

Led rollout of a document management application for banking-sector customers (CO-OP banks). Implemented and supported Windows Server services across managed customer environments. Provided end-to-end troubleshooting, upgrades, and operational support for critical systems.

TroubleshootingIT Operations

Sharing Knowledge
Across Borders

2025

GITEX Global

Cyprus Technology Ecosystem & Cybersecurity

National Pavilion Representative

Dubai, UAE

2024

3rd CITEA Digital Cyprus Conference

Network Security & Telecommunications in the Digital Era

Speaker

Nicosia, Cyprus

2024

NTA Digital Europe Summit

Digital Europe: Policy, Infrastructure & Security

Panellist

Nicosia, Cyprus

2023

5th CITEA Cyber Security Conference

Beyond the Breach: Resilience in Practice

Speaker

Nicosia, Cyprus

2023

Cyprus Business Council — Dubai Chambers

Cyprus–UAE Business & Technology Links

Board Member & Panellist

Dubai, UAE

Available for speaking engagements on cybersecurity, technology strategy, AI governance, and digital transformation. Audiences include industry conferences, executive forums, and academic institutions across Europe and the Middle East.