Adrian Drury isn’t just shaping client relationships—he’s elevating how businesses approach cybersecurity. As the Client Director at ctrl:cyber, he blends deep industry insight with a consultative approach, guiding organisations through cyber challenges with confidence. With a background in business development and a sharp focus on education, Adrian ensures clients aren’t just protected—they’re empowered.  

In this Q&A, he shares his journey, expertise, and vision for the future of cybersecurity. Read on for more.  

Q: Can you tell me a bit about your role at ctrl:cyber? 

A: As Client Director at ctrl:cyber, and senior member of the sales function I work with clients across various industries in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. My primary role is to educate the market and reduce uncertainty, working with organisations at different levels of cyber maturity and experience.   

Q: What drew you to the cybersecurity industry? 

A: I have a varied background, with experience across property and tech. While speaking with clients at the time, I noticed cybersecurity was an emerging theme among big names. 

I already knew Ctrl’s Founder & CEO Steve and COO Campbell, which helped me make some introductions during Ctrl’s early days, it was then I realised being affiliated with Ctrl was a great opportunity. During these days Steve continued to court me and after a while I was convinced to take the plunge and join the team — and here we are, four years later.   

Q: How do your skills in business development shape your approach to client partnerships? 

A: Coming from a team environment with a strong focus on sports, education and sales, I prioritise building relationships first and foremost. My approach is to educate rather than sell, helping clients understand the landscape and associated possibilities. It’s about ensuring good fit and providing the right service through education.  

Q: What does a typical day in your role look like? 

A: My days are very ad hoc—I thrive on spontaneity and frequently need to think on my feet. I have to be comfortable speaking with a variety of people, from board-level executives and C-suite leaders with deep cybersecurity knowledge to those who are just getting started or at entry level.  

Q: What has been your proudest achievement since joining Ctrl? 

A: Being part of Ctrl’s continuous growth—more than 50% year on year—has been incredibly rewarding. The sky is the limit. One of my proudest moments has been getting involved in community initiatives, such as My Room and non-profits like the MS Society. Additionally, working with organisations such as the CFA, Deakin University and the Association of Change Management Professionals has been fulfilling.  

Q: How has your experience across industries influenced your approach at Ctrl? 

A: I’ve learned that sharing stories helps people visualise success. By portraying the experiences of others, I can help clients see how a peer has tackled a challenge to achieve a positive outcome. Most people understand the risks and ramifications, but I focus on showing the positives—how engaging with Ctrl can help businesses grow and strengthen their own commercial viability and cyber posture.  

Q: What’s a key lesson or skill that drives your success? 

A: Competition. I learned this from sports and still consider myself quite competitive. Teamwork is extremely important and often makes things more enjoyable when everyone is working together and collaborating. I’ve transferred these skills to other sectors, where wanting to help not just myself but other people succeed are key motivators. There’s also a strong sense of camaraderie in the cybersecurity industry. It’s about a team of people doing the right thing against those who don’t.  

Q: What’s one lesson or technique from your soccer coaching days that you find invaluable in business development? 

A: The ability to adapt to different personalities and communication styles. Some people prefer demonstrations, while others need to visualise concepts. Some require more motivation than others. Understanding and adjusting to these differences is essential.  

Q: How has your athletic background shaped your approach to teamwork?  

A: I believe each team has piano players, piano carriers and other members of the band who add their intrinsic value to the final output. Successful teams have a philosophy and approach to games and situations in-game to solve problems and achieve successful outcomes. Team tactics come into this and team members knowing their role is key to successful outcomes. 

Q: What excites you most about the future of cybersecurity and Ctrl’s direction? 

A: The cybersecurity industry still has a long way to go in terms of maturity and resilience. Ctrl is in the perfect position to be the partner of choice. We strike the right balance in the market providing services to both mature organisations and those just beginning their cybersecurity journey. This means there is a lot to do and plenty of opportunities for everyone in the industry to achieve success.  

Q: What trends do you think will most impact client needs?  

A: Over time, we’ll see more organisations getting involved in cybersecurity, with funding coming from different areas and initiatives progressing at varying paces. Cyber will continue to grow as a priority, just like digital transformation has. Statistically, organisations should allocate around 8% of their total annual budget to IT products and approximately 3–4% to cybersecurity services. Most aren’t meeting that benchmark yet. 

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

A:  Travel, fitness, reading and most importantly, spending quality time with my better half and my two boys. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to build the kind of results-driven, client-focused career you’ve created?  

A: Perseverance and flexibility. Invest in education, continuously learn, and spend time with colleagues to develop industry knowledge. Cybersecurity is linked to various industries, so understanding its broader applications is crucial. It’s also important not to be overly sales-focused—building a broad-based, trusted network is key. My experiences in sports, hospitality and property helped shape this mindset.  

Q: What does ‘Cyber Together’ mean to you? 

A: Success in cybersecurity isn’t an individual effort—it requires collective action. It’s not just about me; it’s about my colleagues, partners, and the broader community. Clients, partners, and industry leaders need to share and discuss as much as possible to achieve positive outcomes.  

The faces behind Ctrl shape how we advance cyber excellence each day, with Adrian’s approach being no exception.  Join ctrl:cyber in our mission to advance cyber excellence, reach out today ↗