About us
Leaders in Digital Building Consulting
CornerStone is a multi-award-winning, independent digital building consulting firm that specialises in risk, security, IT, AV and SMART building design and implementation services.
We help organisations protect and derive greater value from key assets, including their people, real estate, information and intellectual property. We help optimise workplace environments by identifying how risks can be reduced, levels of protection and resilience increased, connectivity enhanced, and the use of “SMART” technologies enabled.
CornerStone has pioneered the development of a holistic approach to digital building consulting, and because of our award-winning security pedigree, you can be assured that security is embedded within everything that we do.
We have a deep understanding of the interconnected workplace, and harness innovation and our considerable experience to improve the built environment. Our clients include some of the largest and most successful organisations in the world as well as businesses from every area of commerce. We provide them with expert guidance, unbiased advice and support across our range of specialist activities.
Award Winning Risk, Cyber and Security Consulting
Our history
From humble beginnings in 2007, CornerStone has grown to become leaders in risk management, design and implementation services associated with security, information technology and audio-visual systems. From our headquarters in the City of London, we provide a wide range of consulting services to public and private sector organisations all over the world.
Our initial proposition offered a totally independent, Risk & Security Consultancy service that utilised a “risk and requirements” based methodology to security design. From our roots in physical security, other areas of expertise have been developed over the years and these now form the basis of today's unique 'holistic' proposition.
Independence
CornerStone has never forgotten the importance of its role as an independent advisor to its clients. By placing our clients interests and requirements first, we have thrived in a modern business environment that requires strong corporate governance and absolute integrity.
Our people
We have always considered our 'people' to be the lifeblood of our organisation, and we’ve become rather good at finding and developing the best in the business. Our recruitment is handled in-house to ensure alignment with our values and culture, and we place education and personal development at the top of our 'people-orientated' agenda.
In 2018 we formed our dedicated Training Academy and now offer CornerStone staff a comprehensive training and development programme which, is underpinned through a partnership with the Institute of Leadership and the Security Institute.
The future
Our history is one of innovation, achievement and growth but our future is even more exciting. We never take our market-leading position for granted and are always striving for continual improvement. Our leadership team are focused on innovation and quality, and our consulting team includes subject matter experts covering the full spectrum of our specialist areas of activity.
As CornerStone goes from strength to strength, we will continue to shape the future and define how security and digital building services are delivered, not only in the UK but throughout the world.
Why you should work with us
We deliver outstanding solutions to world-class clients
- Customer service is embedded in everything we do. When your client list includes many of the world’s leading companies your standards must be high. The ongoing investment we make in our unique delivery process and our commitment to professional development is all about providing excellence at every stage and ensuring that we deliver outstanding results.
We have a holistic approach
- Our unique, holistic approach has been developed to align with the modern business environment we operate within. It recognises the need for joined up, inclusive solutions that are not limited to a particular security, IT or AV silo. We have the expertise and experience to deliver exceptional results across the full spectrum of the digital building systems that form the basis of our consulting services.
We deliver value
- Our clients recognise that above all else we deliver value for their investment. That is why 92% of our client engagements over the last 10 years have led to us providing them with additional services. It is the value we deliver that keeps our ‘approval rating’ so high: whether finding creative solutions to tough challenges, working with stakeholders to understand cultural context, or offering advice and support whilst delivering other projects.
We are independent
- We are completely independent of any product manufacturer, system installer or other types of equipment vendor. We do not supply equipment, install products, or provide installation or commissioning services. When you speak to us you can be assured in the knowledge that you will receive unbiased, expert advice that is not influenced by a relationship with a particular manufacturer or installer. Our solutions are based on your requirements – we have no other agenda.
We make our clients more resilient
- Improving a client’s risk profile starts with a comprehensive analysis of their current situation. Once we know the threats they may be exposed to and what vulnerabilities exist, we use our joined-up, holistic approach to address even the most complex of requirements. Through a comprehensive mitigation programme we will reduce levels of risk and increase business resilience allowing them to focus on their primary business objectives.
We are totally client-focused
- Our unique delivery process helps us maintain the quality of our service and retain our client-focused approach. We understand that without our clients we cannot continue to thrive, so client relationships are top of our agenda. Our consultants have been carefully selected to ensure that our desire to delight our clients is embedded throughout every engagement.
Services
Our service offering has significantly expanded over the years and now includes many specialist areas of practice. As part of our 'holistic proposition' we have developed the Unified Security Risk Management® model and can incorporate Risk, Cyber and many specialist services as part of a comprehensive package of solutions. We are licensed by the Building Research Establishment to undertake SABRE Security Assessments and are members of the UK Cyber Security Council, delivering a range of cyber risk services.
Plan
We support our clients to develop appropriate strategies and master plans that define aspirations and direction. We can establish and produce policies and procedures, and offer an extensive range of assessment services that establish context and identify risks, threats and vulnerabilities. Our implementation specialists are able to devise comprehensive project delivery plans and we can lay the foundations for SABRE certification as well as many other cyber, IT and security governance frameworks.
Design
Our design solutions can focus on the mitigation of risks, threats and vulnerabilities identified during the 'Plan' phase and can encompass Cyber, Physical, Technical and Operational measures. We often help clients develop Corporate Standards and can help our clients evaluate a range of products or systems to pinpoint the right option for their environment. We deliver RIBA Stage 2, 3 and 4 designs in support of construction projects and manage tender processes in advance of implementation.
Implementation
The implementation phase of a project can be a critical ingredient of delivering a Master Plan or Strategy. CornerStone has invested heavily over many years in the development of a comprehensive implementation service. We utilise a cloud-based planning and monitoring tool to build end-to-end project programs that we use to monitor and report progress. Our approach supports any size of project, from single discipline activities to multi-faceted, long-term programmes. Our experience and systems provide the assurance of a successful outcome every time.
Intelligence
Good security is often built on reliable intelligence. Gathering that intelligence requires expertise and know-how. Our threat and security monitoring and analysis service provides the context and insight for risk assessment, mitigation and design planning. Our physical penetration testing is focused on highlighting gaps in operational, technical and physical security measures, and our dynamic risk rating service enables organisations to respond appropriately to evolving threats.
Advisory
Clients are able to access CornerStone's expertise in many ways. Advising on alternative operating models, providing an objective comparison of technology options or simply helping to define how change can be introduced are just some examples of how CornerStone can release value and support improvement.
Training
We can develop bespoke training programs to cover subjects across our areas of activity or even design a full syllabus. We have developed our own Learning Support Platform which enables us to deliver training face-to-face in a class room environment as well as on-line at a pace chosen by the recipient.
Let's Talk
If you’re looking for risk, security or digital building consulting services and are interested in finding out more about our values and capabilities, please get in touch. Whether the need is small but important to you or a large-scale solution affecting a multinational enterprise, we’re here to help.
Read about our work
Case Study
Innovating to meet emerging security requirements - Renewing HQ security measures for a global financial brand
An international financial brand worked on a project to completely refurbish and update their HQ building for the next 20 years.
Jon Roadnight CSyP
5 min read
Case Study
Mitigation at a major London site - Developing a design suitable for all areas
Following years of use, there was a requirement from CornerStone’s client to undertake a full review of the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures on their estate.
Jon Roadnight CSyP
5 min read
Case Study
Detailing the requirements of a Security Operations Centre - Enabling a strategic, portfolio-wide facility
Development of an Operational Brief for a state-of-the-art Security Operations Centre to help manage security for commercial development in central London.
Narinder Dio
5 min read