Mike Smith is the director and founder of SolarNet Communications Ltd, formed in 2006, and brings with him more than 20 years of software development, network and cybersecurity expertise.

He started his professional career as a software engineer in the telecommunications industry working on call processing and signalling systems after graduating from Coventry University with a BSC (Hons) in Computer Science. He was awarded the RM Footit Memorial prize for the best final year computer project across all computing degrees, for his research and development of a voice recognition system that could be incorporated into mainstream development toolkits, bringing voice recognition capabilities to the software developer community.

Combining his expertise in software development, business process automation and cybersecurity, Mike's broad business and operational knowledge spans multiple disciplines including change management, service asset and configuration management, information security controls and procedures, vulnerability management, incident management and response, information classification policy and standard development.

Prior to SolarNet, Mike was a co-founder of Apotheosys Ltd who set about creating an automated testing product for the telecommunications industry partnering with Catapult Communications, since acquired by Ixia. The product was subsequently bought by a large blue-chip telco before changing direction from telecommunications to network and cybersecurity.

He has a passion for problem solving which forms the ethos of Solarnet, centred on excellence driven through embracing new challenges and continuous development.

Strong business foundations are an essential ingredient to success and through Mike’s network of highly experienced individuals SolarNet has built some long-term partnerships with market leading companies and subject matter experts in their field.

SolarNet, under Mike's expertise and direction, have been helping customers solve problems spanning a multitude of disciplines as well as enabling them to maximise their investments in security tooling and infrastructure.