Freeman Faithful: from Coventry University cyber security student to entrepreneur

Freeman Faithful

Freeman Faithful graduated from Coventry University in 2025, having studied his postgraduate in Cyber Security MSc. He is now ready to launch a multi-product venture focused on keeping your pets safer while they’re being cared through verification, training and a verified network of walkers, sitters, trainers and groomers.

Freeman worked part-time as a dog walker while studying his degree, but this wasn’t the only reason he was inspired to start his project.

WalkIdentity

“Although I did part-time roles, including brief work in pet services, it was Coventry University’s academic grounding in digital identity, know your customer (KYC) and governance that allowed me to turn those observations into a structured, verification-led solution for the industry.”

WalkIdentity is the idea that he came up with. Focused on four key aspects, it attempts to provide increased trust in pet-care professionals, while also improving training and safety. Walkidentity is made up of four components:

• WalkIdentity™ -  A digital verification system ensuring that pet-care professionals are background-checked, insured and compliant.
• WalkiDoggy™ -  A UK-based marketplace for verified walkers, sitters, trainers and groomers.
• WalkiGear™ -  A hardware line featuring the EcoStake™, a patented, eco-friendly ground anchor made from recyclable materials and packaged in seed-paper that decomposes and grows wildflowers.
• WalkAcademy™ -  A short-course platform offering microlearning on environmental responsibility, safety and animal welfare.

Shaping WalkIdentity

“WalkIdentity was shaped directly from what I learnt at Coventry University, both technically and academically.

Modules focusing on secure authentication, governance and compliance helped me design WalkIdentity as a trust-driven platform for verified professionals.

My dissertation on designing a safe, anti-cyberbullying behavioural framework strengthened my ability to analyse human behaviour, risk and secure system architecture. Those same principles now guide how WalkIdentity approaches verification, compliance and trust.

Practical labs and working with real tools (Microsoft Entra ID, Zero Trust, and cloud security tools) gave me hands-on confidence to build a scalable security framework.

I was fortunate to be supported by supervisors such as Antal Goldschmidt and Dr Kabiru Mohammed, whose guidance helped me connect technical concepts with responsible innovation. Their mentorship played a big role in strengthening my approach to secure design and ethical technology.”

Why Freeman chose Coventry University?

We went on to talk to Freeman about his time here and firstly, why he chose to study at Coventry University.

“I chose Coventry University because of its strong reputation for innovation, digital trust and hands-on learning. The Cyber Security MSc programme felt modern, industry-aligned and practical. I wanted a space where I could grow technically while being supported by a community that encourages creativity and real-world application, and Coventry University delivered exactly that.”

When you think of entrepreneurs, you don’t initially consider a postgraduate degree in cyber security as the obvious step in that direction, so we asked him why he chose to study the course and what about cyber security interests him.

“I chose cyber security because I’ve always been fascinated by trust: how we build it, how we protect it and how digital identity shapes modern society. Cyber security sits at the intersection of technology, human behaviour and ethics. Studying it gave me the technical and analytical skills to design platforms that are secure, responsible and impactful.”

Fondest memories of Coventry University

Finally, we wanted to hear about his fondest memories of studying at Coventry University.

“My fondest memories are the quiet, consistent moments. Collaborating with classmates, late evenings in the library, and feeling part of a community that genuinely supported one another. There was a real sense of ambition among postgraduate students there.

Graduation day was emotional because it symbolised the journey from being a student with an idea to someone building a platform now recognised by UK and EU design bodies.”

We're excited to see the full launch of WalkIdentity and follow Freeman Faithful’s journey to even greater things in the future.