Media, Research & Recognition

Expertise beyond our own website

Explore selected interviews, published commentary, research contributions and international speaking engagements from IG-Smart's leadership.

Panel discussion · HTN – Health Tech Newspaper · 1 October 2024 (coverage published 3 October 2024)

Building a culture of security, privacy and compliance in health and care

With Michael Abtar

A live HTN Now panel on how health and social care organisations can lead on security, prioritise resources against evolving threats, oversee third-party suppliers and protect patient privacy as telemedicine and remote care expand.

The roundup covers the same panel; it is not a separate engagement.

Interviews & published commentary

Selected contributions

Interview · HTN – Health Tech Newspaper · 20 January 2023

Security by design in healthcare

Michael Abtar and Dr Bright Mawudor

Michael and Bright discussed the data and cyber security threats facing healthcare, embedding security into solutions by design, and why adhering to recognised standards matters for healthcare and technology organisations.

Published commentary · HTN – Health Tech Newspaper (Industry View, multi-contributor) · 5 November 2019

Transparency, data quality and human oversight in healthcare AI

Michael Abtar and Andrew Capey (then Senior Consultant, now retired)

Jointly authored commentary arguing that lawful AI in healthcare depends on transparency with patients, good-quality unbiased data and meaningful human oversight with the opportunity to intervene.

Invited research participation

Contributing practitioner insight to Chief Data Officer research

Profusion invited Michael Abtar, CEO of IG-Smart, to contribute as a research participant to its Chief Data Officer research, bringing a practitioner perspective on data leadership, governance and organisational value.

Research undertaken by Profusion. Michael participated as an invited research contributor.

Explore Michael's Experience Explore Data Governance Support

Michael Abtar seated at a round breakfast table with members of the Profusion team in a London meeting room. — Michael Abtar with members of the Profusion team at a working breakfast briefing for the Chief Data Officer report launch, The Gherkin, London, 2020.

Dated recognition

Recognition, with its source

All recognition

Firm recognition — IG-Smart Ltd

Best Cyber Security Consultancy Firm — UK, Lawyer International Legal 100 Awards 2026.
Best Cyber Security Consultancy Firm — UK, Lawyer International Legal 100 Awards 2025.
Best Cyber Security Consultancy Firm — UK, Lawyer International Legal 100 Awards 2021.
Best Cyber Security Consultancy Firm 2019 — UK Enterprise Awards, SME News.

Leadership recognition — Michael Abtar

2023
Recipient, CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2023.
2023
Recipient, CEO Today Global Awards 2023.
2020
Recipient, CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2020.
2019
Featured in the CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2019 publication.

Earlier contributions

Shown with original dates. Older pieces reflect guidance at the time and are not current advice.

18 November 2020
Podcast · African Leadership University Podcast, Season 2, Episode 5
Data privacy and protection for entrepreneurs
An interview with Michael Abtar exploring his professional experience and perspectives on data privacy and protection.
- Listen to Michael’s Interview (opens in a new tab)
- UK GDPR consultancy
31 October 2019
Interview · HTN – Health Tech Newspaper
Privacy and security for HealthTech organisations
An interview on IG-Smart's origins in NHS information governance and how privacy and security support HealthTech organisations working with the health service.
- Read the HTN interview (opens in a new tab)
16 November 2017
Coverage · Information Age
Data quality and the role of the Chief Data Officer
Coverage of research into the growing need for Chief Data Officers, quoting Michael on the risks created when organisations lack a clear focus on data quality, and on the CDO as strategic thinker, problem solver and influencer.
- Read the Information Age article (opens in a new tab)
- Information governance

Consultancy

Discuss a governance, privacy or cyber requirement

Talk to a Senior Practitioner

Speaking

Invite Michael to speak or moderate

Explore Speaking & Executive Briefings