Zepko Case Study
Founded in 2004, Zepko is a leading UK-based provider of managed cyber security services. The company delivers 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and risk management for clients across multiple industries.
With two decades of experience, Zepko combines advanced technology with human expertise to help organisations strengthen their cyber resilience. As demand for SOC services has grown, the business has focused on expanding its analyst team to maintain service quality and operational coverage.
Since May 2024, Aruna Weerasooriya, Director of Cyber Operations at Zepko, has partnered with Hamilton Barnes to support the company’s recruitment of skilled Cyber Security Analysts. Working closely with Luca Bansept, the partnership has focused on sourcing high-quality talent to expand Zepko’s SOC team and strengthen their operational capability.
2
Years Partnered
6
Strategic Hires
21
Years of Industry Excellence
Building a High-Performing SOC Team
In early 2024, Aruna Weerasooriya, Director of Cyber Operations at Zepko, was looking to expand his SOC team to meet increasing client demand and strengthen operational coverage. However, previous recruitment partners had struggled to deliver candidates with the right technical skill set and quality.
Recognising the need for a recruitment partner who truly understood the cyber security market, Zepko turned to Hamilton Barnes. Within days of engaging with Luca Bansept, Hamilton Barnes presented several high-calibre candidates who met both the technical and cultural requirements for the SOC Analyst roles.
Over the following 15 months, Zepko successfully onboarded six permanent hires, enabling the team to train and integrate new analysts quickly while maintaining operational excellence. The additional bandwidth provided by these hires has allowed Zepko to scale effectively and continue delivering high-quality service to its clients.
“Working with Zepko has been a really positive experience. Aruna and his team have a clear vision for building a strong, resilient SOC, and it’s been rewarding to help them find talented Analysts who fit so well with their goals. Our partnership works so well because it’s based on collaboration, open communication, and shared objectives.”
- Luca Bansept, Hamilton Barnes
We had an excellent experience working with Hamilton Barnes. They provided high-quality candidates within a few days and helped us expand our team efficiently. The new hires have integrated quickly and given our SOC team the extra capacity we needed to keep pace with demand.
Our Process
Scaling Cyber Operations with Skilled Analysts
Recruitment Challenge
Expanding a Growing SOC Team
As client demands increased, Zepko needed to expand its Cyber Security Analyst team rapidly. However, previous recruitment partners had been submitting lower-quality candidates, slowing down the hiring process and stretching the existing team’s capacity. Finding skilled SOC Analysts who could be trained quickly and contribute immediately was essential to sustain the company’s growth and maintain high service standards.
Our Approach
Rapid, Quality-Driven Recruitment
Hamilton Barnes, led by Luca Bansept, quickly delivered a tailored recruitment solution focused on speed, quality, and technical precision. By leveraging an extensive cyber security network and in-depth market knowledge, Luca identified high-quality candidates within just a few days. This proactive approach ensured that every submission met Zepko’s standards, reducing time-to-hire while increasing the calibre of talent joining the team.
Results Delivered
Building Capacity and Capability
Through the partnership, Zepko made six successful permanent hires for SOC Analyst roles. These new team members have been trained and onboarded efficiently, providing much-needed bandwidth for existing staff and enhancing the company’s operational strength. The improved recruitment process allowed Zepko to focus on its core mission - delivering exceptional cyber protection and service continuity to clients.
Partnership Success
A Reliable and Collaborative Partnership
Aruna Weerasooriya describes his experience with Hamilton Barnes as “excellent”, highlighting the team’s consistent quality, professionalism, and ongoing support. Unlike other agencies, Hamilton Barnes provides continuous guidance - from advising on market rates to checking in with new hires post-placement. This consultative, long-term approach has made Hamilton Barnes a trusted recruitment partner for Zepko’s continued growth in cyber operations.
We had an excellent experience working with Hamilton Barnes. They provided high-quality candidates within a few days and helped us expand our team efficiently. The new hires have integrated quickly and given our SOC team the extra capacity we needed to keep pace with demand.
