About Us

Team Cymru, Inc is an Illinois, US corporation. We are a group of technologists passionate about making the Internet more secure and dedicated to that goal. We work closely with and within Internet security communities, as well as with all manner of other organizations - after all, almost every organization in the modern world is connected to the Internet in some way or another, and they all need help to ensure that their parts of the network remain safe and secure.

Team Cymru FAQ

Q: How do I pronounce "Cymru?"

A: This is the most common question we receive. :) "Cymru" is pronounced "kum-ree." It is Welsh (a Celtic language, distantly related to Gaelic) for "Wales."

Q: Why are you called Team Cymru?

A: Two of our founders have strong ties to Wales - Rob Thomas is of Welsh descent, while Dr. Neil Long is a born and bred Welshman. They, along with the other founding members of Team Cymru, felt that this choice of name and logo would be an appropriate tribute to their Welsh heritage, and to the long and storied history of Wales.

Q: Where is Team Cymru?

A: Team Cymru is a geographically-dispersed group of security professionals who are able to collaborate due to the benefits of the Internet. Our main office is in the Orlando, FL, US area. Our team members have presences in the UK; Poland; New Zealand; Australia; Arizona, US; Washington D.C., US; Illinois, US; Massachusetts, US; and California, US. We have pods of gear all over the globe. We find that our geographic dispersion provides nearly 24/7 coverage and leads to an increased quality of life for our employees.

A: Team Cymru was founded by Rob Thomas as an Internet security think-tank in 1998. In 2004, Team Cymru, Inc officially incorporated as a legal entity. The founding researchers are Rob Thomas, David Deitrich, Dr. Neil Long, and Stephen Gill. Team Cymru Research NFP was granted 501(c)3 status in 2009.

Q. What is the relationship between Team Cymru Research NFP, Team Cymru, Inc., and Dragon Research Group?

A: Team Cymru Research NFP is an Illinois non-profit and a US Federal 501(c)3 organization which focuses on our community service activities. Being a 501(c)3 allows us to accept donations and give our donors the ability to potentially realize a tax savings on their donation. Team Cymru Research NFP is the primary sponsoring organization for the Dragon Research Group (DRG). Team Cymru Research NFP plays a facilitator role for the DRG, helps with funding, helps acquire resources and coordinates the volunteer candidate selection process. Note that community services are provided using resources of Team Cymru, Inc., for the benefit of the community, and are not necessarily a product of Team Cymru Research NFP. Team Cymru Research NFP currently does not have any staff.

Team Cymru, Inc. focuses on our commercial service activities and all Team Cymru staff are employeed by Team Cymru, Inc.

Q: Who owns Team Cymru?

A: Team Cymru is wholly and solely owned by its founding partners. Team Cymru will never trade control for funding or donations. We remain fiercely independent because we believe it is the only way we can be an impartial Internet security advocate.

Q: Who belongs to Team Cymru?

A: Currently, Team Cymru consists of a few dozen hard-working folks who have experience in a variety of areas to include UNIX systems development (application and kernel), IP network engineering, security analysis and applications, systems and network administration, network and hard drive forensics, malware analysis, penetration testing, and a variety of other areas. Together, Team Cymru employees have over 100 years of combined experience in information and network security.

All of the members of Team Cymru are full-time staff, focused solely on the projects and activities of Team Cymru.

Q: How do I contact Team Cymru?

A: Please see our contact page for a variety of methods of reaching us or contact us at info@cymru.com.

Q: Why does Team Cymru have a commercial arm?

A: A number of our partners have a requirement, or preference, to work with us in a commercial capacity. We do not have dedicate sales or marketing staff, yet we are able to respond to commercial requests in a prompt and professional manner.

And, as part of our mission is to be an on-going, vibrant company, we are able to use our commercial funding to invest in our efforts to thwart the miscreants, thereby benefiting the community as well.

Q: What type of commercial services does Team Cymru offer?

A: Wouldn't the miscreants love to know! For this reason, we typically only share details about our commercial services when both us and our partner are protected by a mutual non-disclosure agreement (mNDA). To discuss an mNDA, contact us at info@cymru.com. General information on our services can be found in the Services section of this site.

Q: Are NFP donations ever used for commercial purposes?

A: No. In fact, quite the opposite. The costs of the community services we offer are made possible by our commercial activities.

Q: Why isn't Team Cymru more well known?

A: Team Cymru made a conscious decision to work exclusively with trusted partners in the IT Security Community. We are comfortable and successful being the behind the scenes partner. However, within these circles we are well known, including being recognized as one of the 15 Most Influential in Security by eWeek.

Q: If I have other questions, who should I contact?

A: Please see our contact page for a variety of methods of reaching us. We pride ourselves in quick, concise responses to your inquiries.