Shaping the Future of Privacy and Tech – Exclusive Interview with Michael Kingsnorth
- Brainz Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Michael N. Kingsnorth is a futurist, technologist, and the founder of Scramble Technology Inc. in Canada and AperiMail in the UK. With over three decades of commercial experience across sectors such as broadcast, communications, retail, and logistics, he is known for building systems that are practical, resilient, and grounded in real-world use. His work is shaped by a steady focus on how modern infrastructure influences trust, decision-making, and the day-to-day reality of teams trying to operate safely.
His interest in computing began long before it became mainstream, and it grew into a career defined by clarity, discipline, and responsibility. Rather than chasing trends, he works with organizations to reduce complexity, strengthen foundations, and design solutions that people can actually understand and rely on.
Alongside his commercial work, Michael runs Vortex of a Digital Kind, where he writes about futurism, philosophy, and experiments in distributed publishing outside large platforms. Across everything he builds, one principle stays consistent: technology should be useful, understandable, and respectful of the people who depend on it.
Michael Kingsnorth, Technology & Privacy Contributor
Who is Michael Kingsnorth? Introduce yourself, your hobbies, your favorites, you at home and in business. Tell us something interesting about yourself that most people don’t know.
At my core, I’m driven by building things that give people real control over their digital lives, especially privacy-first, peer-to-peer systems where users are not quietly dependent on someone else’s servers. I’m passionate about distributed infrastructure and security, and I use post-quantum cryptography as one part of that toolkit, not as a buzzword, but because privacy and long-term trust actually matter.
Outside of work, I’m not a work-only person. I’m a proper foodie. I love discovering great places to eat, pairing that with a good glass of red wine, and I’m happiest when there’s music on and real conversation happening. Travel, friends, and family keep me grounded and remind me why I care about building technology that protects human agency.
Something that surprises people is how much I write. Vortex of a Digital Kind started as a place to think in public, and it’s become a long-form space where I explore technology, identity, autonomy, and the way today’s choices quietly become tomorrow’s normal.
What inspired you to create Vortex of a Digital Kind and ScrambleTech, and how do these ventures reflect your mission in the digital and tech world?
Vortex of a Digital Kind came from the part of me that’s always thinking. I’ve always been drawn to futurism, sci-fi, technology, and philosophy, and I wanted a place to write in public and explore what all of this is doing to us. It is not a business. It’s where I work things out, and hopefully where other people who care about these ideas can learn, argue, and think alongside me.
Scramble Technology came from something more personal. I wanted autonomy. I wanted the freedom to build what I believe in without being boxed in by an employer’s priorities. That freedom lets me focus on privacy-first, peer-to-peer tools that give people more control over their own digital lives. Vortex is the thinking space. Scramble is the building space. They’re two sides of the same drive.
Many businesses struggle to keep up with rapid tech changes. How do you help clients navigate the digital transformation journey effectively?
I sit down with clients, skip the hype, and focus on what really matters. Then I help them choose practical, secure tech that solves real problems. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. I explain it in plain language so they feel confident moving at their own pace, with privacy kept front and center.
From AI integration to innovative digital tools, what are some of the most exciting solutions you’ve developed or implemented recently?
In my work, I’m focused on something I care deeply about: a quantum-safe, peer-to-peer messaging platform that prioritizes user autonomy. I’m using hybrid cryptography, including Kyber1024 and Dilithium5, so it is ready for the future. I’m also integrating on-device AI, not to watch users, but to help detect network threats locally. Everything stays on the device, so the data stays with the user. That’s the kind of security and privacy I’m building.
What type of clients or industries do you most enjoy working with, and what results can they expect when they partner with you?
I enjoy working with clients who are driven by innovation and emerging technology, whether that’s energy, AI, or the next generation of computing. At the same time, I bring value to any organization that’s ready to secure their data and systems for the future.
A lot of businesses are not thinking yet about “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” threats, but they should be. I help companies protect long-term sensitive information, so it remains safe as quantum computing advances. Whether the work is AI adoption, security hardening, or resilience planning, I focus on strategies that are clear, practical, and built to last.
The tech landscape can feel overwhelming to non-experts. How do you make complex digital strategies simple and actionable for your clients?
The tech landscape can be overwhelming, so my approach is to make it manageable and grounded. I start by meeting clients where they are, then break complex decisions into smaller steps they can understand and act on. I document the process clearly, explain trade-offs in plain language, and avoid unnecessary complexity in the solution. I do not always get it perfect, but the goal stays the same: give people clarity so they can move forward with confidence.
You’re known for merging creativity with technology. How does your approach stand out from traditional tech consulting or development services?
I don’t treat technology as separate from the people using it. Creativity helps me think laterally, spot hidden risks, and design systems that work in real life, not just on paper. Traditional consulting often leans toward big frameworks and handovers. I prefer practical outcomes and clear thinking.
I take time to explain the reasoning behind decisions, document properly, and reduce complexity wherever possible. The aim is not just to deliver a solution and disappear. It’s to leave clients with a better understanding of their own systems, so they can make confident decisions long after the project ends.
What common mistakes do businesses make when trying to scale digitally, and how does your team at ScrambleTech help prevent them?
A common mistake businesses make when scaling digitally is adding new tools onto old processes without fixing the core. While it might look like progress at first, it creates complexity and fragile systems.
At ScrambleTech, we slow down enough to get the foundation right. For example, we use a structured SDLC with Gherkin stories to make sure requirements are clear and delivery stays predictable. This approach is not just about speed. It’s about making scaling intentional, rather than chaotic. When processes flow cleanly, growth becomes sustainable and calm.
What current trends in AI, automation, or digital strategy do you believe every business should pay attention to in the next few years?
In the next few years, businesses need to pay attention to three things.
First, as AI and automation become normal across every industry, organizations will be judged on how responsibly they use these tools. Trust will matter more than hype.
Second, data security is non-negotiable. If teams are feeding IP, customer data, or internal information into AI systems without safeguards, they are taking risks they may not even see until it’s too late.
Third, businesses need to prepare now for the quantum era. Current encryption will eventually be at risk, and planning for post-quantum security should start before it becomes an emergency.
At ScrambleTech, we’re already building safeguards around responsible AI usage and future-proof security, so businesses are ready for what’s next.
What’s next for you and your companies? Are there any upcoming innovations, collaborations, or projects that you’re excited about?
Next, ScrambleTech is focused on helping SMBs work from home and work from anywhere with more security and less dependence. We’re building quantum-encrypted building blocks like secure vaults, distributed storage, and messaging that make modern remote work safer by design.
The aim is practical outcomes. Reduced risk, simpler compliance, and less time lost to firefighting. Smaller businesses deserve the same level of security backbone that larger enterprises take for granted, and we’re building infrastructure that makes that accessible. By embedding future-proof security now, we’re helping SMBs operate with confidence as the world shifts.
