James Hadley founded Immersive Labs in January 2017 after delivering GCHQ's cyber summer school. It was during these sessions he realized that passive, classroom-based learning doesn't suit the people, or pace, of cybersecurity. Not only did the content date quickly, its one-dimensional nature meant the creative minds in the room would quickly disengage. James decided that a practical online solution was necessary — but that it must go beyond interactive content and allow learners to handle live threats, thus equipping them with skills suited to real-world cyber roles.