Steve Shepherd
FBCS · Fellow of the British Computer Society · Cyber, Intelligence, Risk & Public Sector Advisory
Steve Shepherd
Steve is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a retired Police Sergeant with Devon and Cornwall Police (24 years), and a former Director of the South West Cyber Resilience Centre. He is an OSINT specialist with the British Army Specialist Reserve, and founder of Inspiring Joe, Rossnet's online safety and cyber resilience partner.
He brings extensive experience supporting central government, defence, law enforcement and education sectors on cyber risk, online harm, intelligence analysis and organisational resilience — recognised for translating complex risk and intelligence into clear, proportionate advice for senior decision-makers.
Trusted to advise and brief the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department for Education and Ministry of Defence — including ministerial-level engagement, policy-relevant reporting and intelligence support to cross-government programmes. His background combines intelligence capability, safeguarding expertise, cyber resilience, and a sustained record of senior stakeholder engagement across policing, defence and government.
Government and defence, from the inside.
Steve has been trusted to advise at the highest levels of UK government and defence across intelligence, safeguarding and cyber resilience — bringing operational experience that few consultants can match.
Home Office
Expert advice and briefings on online extremism and radicalisation as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre — written assessments and presentations supporting departmental understanding of emerging threats, with a focus on prevention, safeguarding and proportionate response.
Cabinet Office
Seconded during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the cross-government response — providing intelligence gathering, analytical support and near real-time briefings to inform senior decision-making during a national emergency.
Ministry of Defence
OSINT Specialist (British Army Specialist Reserve) — delivering intelligence collection, analysis and reporting in support of defence and government operations. Awarded a Command Joint Operations Commendation (New Year Honours List 2022) for the quality and impact of intelligence reporting.
Department for Education
Briefed senior officials on online extremist risk within educational settings — contributing evidence-led insight to inform safeguarding policy, guidance and preventative practice.
Professionally recognised.
Education & professional development.
Three decades of public service and advisory.
Steve's background spans military service, frontline policing, national online safety, defence intelligence and regional cyber resilience leadership — a depth of operational experience that directly informs his advisory work.
Policing & Law Enforcement
A retired Police Sergeant with Devon and Cornwall Police, Steve spent 24 years in senior roles across investigation, safeguarding and incident management. He continues to serve as a Cyber Protect Officer, advising public sector, SME and third sector organisations on cyber risk and resilience.
Cyber Resilience Leadership
Served as Director of the South West Cyber Resilience Centre on police secondment — leading a Home Office-aligned regional programme supporting businesses, charities and public bodies, and regularly briefing senior stakeholders on threat trends and resilience priorities.
Online Safety & National Policy
Held the national portfolio for Online Extremism and Radicalisation at the UK Safer Internet Centre — briefing the Home Office and Department for Education, producing written government assessments, and advising on emerging threats to children, young people and educational environments.
Defence Intelligence
Served as an OSINT Specialist in the British Army Specialist Reserve, delivering intelligence collection, analysis and reporting in support of UK defence and government operations. Awarded a Command Joint Operations Commendation (New Year Honours List 2022) for the quality and impact of intelligence reporting.
Military Service
Early career in the Royal Air Force provided a strong foundation in discipline, security awareness and operational responsibility — including management of sensitive information and assets within strict regulatory and ethical frameworks.
Inspiring Joe
Founder of Inspiring Joe — an Online Safety, Cyber Resilience and OSINT consultancy with clients including the UK Safer Internet Centre, Devon and Cornwall Police, and the Home Office.
About Inspiring Joe →Work with the team.
A no-obligation discovery call is the right starting point. We will identify where your organisation is, where the risk lies, and what the most valuable first step looks like.