‘Sometimes, people don’t know who I am, but they know the company behind me’ – Trevor Axiak

Trevor Axiak, director of Kyte Global, has built a formidable presence in Malta’s information security and compliance sector through unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and strategic foresight. Since its establishment 18 years ago, Kyte Global has expanded its service offerings and strengthened its reputation as a trusted, forward-thinking authority in compliance and operational resilience under Trevor’s leadership.

Kyte Global’s enduring success is rooted in a simple yet powerful ethos: “It’s all about the customer,” asserts Director, Trevor Axiak. This steadfast, consumer-centric approach has been the cornerstone of Kyte’s growth and evolution since its inception, shaping every facet of its operations, culture and services. Over the years, Kyte’s service lines and products have evolved in response to clients’ needs, most recently with the introduction of Incident Response and Forensics services in anticipation of the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) regulations.

With Trevor at the helm, Kyte has solidified its reputation as a leading provider in information security and compliance, earning the trust of clients across 67 countries. Kyte Global’s reach attests not only to its commitment to excellence in service delivery but also to Trevor’s vision of establishing Kyte as an international name in compliance and security. “Sometimes, people don’t know who I am, but they know the company behind me,” Trevor remarks. This brand recognition reflects Kyte’s consistent delivery of high-quality services and effective marketing strategies. 

2024 was a pivotal year for Kyte, marked by internal restructuring and process refinements. These changes, designed to foster greater efficiency and agility, are already bearing fruit, with Kyte’s teams now operating with a stronger sense of purpose and more clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Shifting from a flat organisational structure to a more layered one has enabled the company to streamline operations and improve performance, also enabling Trevor to step back from day-to-day tasks and focus on strategic oversight. 

“We’ve revised and improved operations, automated where possible, and introduced new tools. Most importantly, we’ve placed the right people in key positions,” explains Trevor. “One of the most gratifying aspects of the year was witnessing the professional growth within the team. I’ve seen individuals progress from simply performing tasks to becoming managers themselves, taking on leadership responsibilities and positioning themselves for more senior roles within the company.”

The transition, however, was not without its challenges. “Letting go of the reins wasn’t easy. I had to learn to trust my team,” Trevor admits. “I still find myself biting my tongue in meetings to avoid getting too involved. But you reach a point where you realise you simply can’t manage everything yourself; micromanagement just doesn’t work. I have an excellent team and colleagues who have my back, allowing me to take time off when needed because they can handle the office in my absence.” And the result? “I took a three-week holiday this year – something I haven’t done in 17 years!”

In 2024, Kyte’s service portfolio also grew. “Incident Response was one of the new services we identified last year due to growing demand,” Trevor says. “It’s performing well, though growth has been gradual. We anticipate an increase in this service as DORA regulations become more widely implemented.” Trevor is particularly enthusiastic about the addition of SOC 2 certification, which complements Kyte’s existing list of certification offerings. “SOC 2 is especially crucial for US-facing clients, aligning with certifications like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SWIFT, GDPR, and AML,” he explains.

From an industry perspective, Malta’s FinTech sector continues to flourish. “In Malta, we’re fortunate to be somewhat insulated from global turbulence, though not entirely immune,” Trevor observes. “Despite facing some challenges and reputational issues in recent years, I’ve noticed a shift in sentiment. We’re seeing significant interest from companies looking to establish themselves here, often preferring Malta over other jurisdictions.” Trevor believes that this renewed interest stems from concerted efforts by various stakeholders. “As service providers, we’re constantly promoting not just our services but Malta itself as a business destination.”

Looking ahead, Trevor anticipates that regulatory changes related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and DORA will shape the evolution of Malta’s financial services industry over the next few years. “AI is set to make a significant impact in 2025,” he predicts, “especially since the regulations and regulatory body are already in place for new licensing requirements and schemes.” Trevor views this as more than just a trend: “We’re gearing up for this shift, recognising that AI is more than just a buzzword or limited to chatbots.”

While AI regulations will impact businesses across a wide range of sectors, Trevor believes the shift will be more gradual than seismic. “Companies will need time to adapt and evolve, especially as they begin to recognise the potential of AI and as regulatory frameworks continue to develop, providing further clarity, security and guidance on AI implementation. Fortunately for Malta, the regulator is among the more advanced in Europe,” he remarks.

Regarding DORA implementation, Trevor foresees a busy period ahead. “As regulators begin monitoring and enforcing DORA requirements in 2025, we anticipate a surge in companies implementing mandatory controls, requesting audits and certifications, and introducing the required technical tools. It’s likely to keep us very busy.” 

Kyte observed a similar pattern with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). “Initially, there was extensive discussion about the new regulation – its implications, non-compliance fines, specific requirements, and potential costs,” Trevor says. “Companies would conduct gap analysis to assess their current position and gauge their peers’ approaches, debating whether to aim for minimal or full compliance. Eventually, all companies realise they can’t postpone implementation any longer and must put the required controls in place,” Trevor adds.

When recommending services to clients, Kyte adopts a proactive, risk-based approach by conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify each client’s unique compliance needs and vulnerabilities, including threats like security breaches. “It all starts with knowing what you need,” says Trevor. “Some companies focus on addressing only the most urgent issues at the moment, while we help them develop a more strategic perspective.”

Kyte’s expansion plans for 2025 include entering new markets and increasing its international footprint. Attending global events and forging new partnerships are key growth strategies, enabling the company to tap into emerging opportunities and diverse client bases. Additionally, Kyte is developing AI-based solutions to enhance business operations, improve efficiency and address skill shortages. 

“By the end of the year, I’d like us to be firmly positioned as a global player in our field, with a broader international client base and a reputation for innovative services. We’re on a strong path, largely thanks to our team’s excellent work. If you speak to any of them, they’ll tell you there’s still much they want to accomplish – initiatives they planned for 2024 but haven’t yet brought to fruition. So, 2025 will be a continuation and expansion of our 2024 efforts.”  

This article is part of the serialisation of 50 interviews featured in Malta CEOs 2025 – the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt and an annual high-end publication bringing together some of the country’s most influential business leaders.