Archives for 2025

The West Midlands cyber sector is experiencing rapid growth – with Midlands Cyber at the forefront. 

Over 12 months, Worcestershire launched its first TechFest, Birmingham hosted Tech Week, and the region opened the West Midlands Cyber Hub – a dedicated space for cyber businesses to collaborate and grow.

Midlands Cyber, the region’s cyber cluster, has moved from hosting events towards building permanent infrastructure that supports businesses and talent across the sector.

Launched last month, the West Midlands Cyber Hub marked a significant development in building a more integrated and supportive regional ecosystem.

Based in central Birmingham – Led by Wayne Horkan and Andy Horkan from CyberTzar and created in partnership with TechWM, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands, Aston University, and the Innovation Alliance – the Hub provides cyber businesses with a dedicated workspace and access to key networks and resources.

The Hub’s targets by March 2026 are ambitious: support 25+ SMEs, host 20+ sector events, and engage more than 100 participants. 

It’s designed as a hub-and-spoke model that will expand beyond Birmingham to Wolverhampton, Coventry, and Worcester – ensuring cyber opportunity reaches across the entire region.

The Hub delivers practical benefits including: 

• Access to partnerships and markets – connections across the regional cyber ecosystem and beyond.
• Innovation and skills support – links to Aston University and resources to help businesses stay competitive in an evolving threat landscape.
• Investment visibility – addressing the region’s historical funding gap by attracting investment and keeping regional talent local.
• Community and inclusion  – a focused environment that values diverse voices and perspectives in cyber.

The West Midlands now has the infrastructure, partnerships, and momentum to build on this foundation and support genuine cyber sector growth. 

Building on the success of 2025’s inaugural event, TechFest 2026 is already in planning, showing a pattern of sustained, strategic growth and a commitment to continuous ecosystem development.

Ben Shorrock, UKC3 Director and Ecosystem Development Lead, said: “Our 18 clusters have deep roots in their local cyber security ecosystems, and what’s happening in the West Midlands is a powerful example of how dedicated infrastructure, partnership, and sustained focus can accelerate growth and create real opportunity for businesses and talent.”

North East Cyber Security Cluster organisation, CyberNorth has launched the CyberNorth Student Ambassador programme, an initiative designed to further strengthen engagement between CyberNorth and students across universities and colleges in the region.

The Student Ambassador programme creates a direct connection between CyberNorth and the next generation of cyber security talent, and appointed ambassadors will act as key representatives of CyberNorth within their institutions, helping to raise awareness of CyberNorth’s initiatives, events, and industry opportunities whilst encouraging greater student participation in the regional cyber security ecosystem.

The initiative intrinsically fits CyberNorth’s mission ‘To make the North East THE place for cyber security, and reflects CyberNorth’s ongoing commitment to developing local talent, strengthening collaboration between education and industry, and ensuring students are well connected to real-world cyber security opportunities across the region.

CyberNorth plays a pivotal role in the North East and is known nationally and internationally as a renowned regional force to lobby and leverage opportunities for the sector in the region. Helen Matthews, Delivery Manager – Skills at CyberNorth, will lead on the initiative under her remit to ensure the regions cyber workforce of today and tomorrow are skilled and equipped for success.

Helen Matthews says, “The North East has a growing and vibrant cyber security sector, by making the move to recruit Student Ambassadors this in turn gives us the opportunity to work directly with students to raise awareness, build skills, and inspire the next generation. 

We are excited to have a number of roles already filled and this initiative is a prime example of the power of collaboration as we bring together student ambassadors from universities across the North East. By empowering students to act as ambassadors within their own institutions, we’re helping them build networks, develop key employability skills, and gain greater visibility of the opportunities available across the North East’s growing cyber sector.”

The North East is a hotbed for innovation and collaboration and the only place outside London to boast two NCSC Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research at Northumbria University and Newcastle University, leaving the region well placed to lead the charge in encouraging people to take up careers and build skills in cyber security. 

A number of Student Ambassadors have already been recruited including, Akolade Akinlami (Sunderland University) Olivia Gibson (Durham University) Annie Wilkinson (Northumbria University) and Adeela Bashir (Teesside University) with a current opening for Newcastle University, Student Ambassadors will work closely with CyberNorth to:

• Promote cyber security awareness
• Support regional events, campaigns, and outreach activities
• Act as a link between universities, industry, and other students to share insights about cyber security careers, pathways, and skills development initiatives
• Champion cyber security careers to schools, colleges, and fellow students
• Provide feedback to CyberNorth on student interests, barriers to participation, and emerging needs in the academic community.

Participation in the programme will support the next generation of cyber security experts to gain valuable experience in industry engagement, leadership, communications, and professional networking, alongside exposure to real-world cyber security challenges and experts.

CyberNorth focuses on strengthening the development of three main areas in the region a.k.a. ‘Pillars’ Skills (for today and tomorrow) Innovation (future proofing the sector for prosperity) and Ecosystem (support and collaboration for growth).

Helen Matthews added: “Over the years CyberNorth have built great relationships with universities across the North East and there is a mutual commitment to work in unison to support the programme. 

The initiative aligns with regional priorities around digital skills, innovation, and economic growth, helping to ensure the North East continues to develop a strong cyber security capability.” 

As a key contributor to the UK’s overall cyber strategy through their partnership with UKC3 and Department for Science, Innovation and Growth, CyberNorth spearheads the growth of a thriving cyber security community in the North East by promoting all things cyber, to ensure the region gets noticed internationally and nationally as a centre for excellence for the cyber security sector.

Since inception, CyberNorth has built a vibrant cybersecurity community in the North East, supporting 100 businesses and over 2,000 professionals, while collaborating across FinTech, Space, Maritime, and Defence sectors. Strong relationships with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the National Cyber Security Centre have amplified the region’s profile nationally and internationally.

UKC3 Co-Chair Dr Ismini Vasileiou has been appointed to the UK Government’s new Women in Tech Taskforce.

The taskforce is led by Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, and brings together 15 high-profile industry leaders and experts from across the tech sector. Its purpose is to advise on how the Government can better support industry diversity.

Over the next 18 months, the taskforce will act to ensure the UK accesses the full talent pool, market opportunities, and innovation capacity. Research shows women leaving tech leads to estimated loss of £2-£3.5 billion annually.

The taskforce’s ambitions include expanding opportunities for women across the UK, driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, shaping government action and supporting the development of technology that benefits everyone.

The taskforce’s inaugural meeting was held at The British Science Association (BSA) in London yesterday. It brought together industry and policy leaders to examine how to remove the systemic barriers that prevent women from entering, progressing and leading in technology roles.

Dr Vasileiou, who is also founder of East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster and Associate Professor at De Montfort University Leicester, joined business leaders including Alison Kirkby, CEO of BT group, Emma O’Dwyer, head of public policy at Uber, and Francesca Carlesi, CEO of the UK arm of Revolut.

“It’s a privilege to be invited to join DSIT’s Women in Tech Taskforce,” said Dr Vasileioum who is Skills Lead for UKC3.

“Drawing on my work in cyber security and digital skills, I’m keen to help shape solutions that move beyond discussion and deliver meaningful, long-term change for women working in technology.

“We will be supporting action-driven solutions that align policy, skills and industry practice to deliver lasting impact for women in technology.”

Ms Kendall said: “Technology should work for everyone, that is why I have established the Women in Tech Taskforce – to break down the barriers that still hold too many people back, and to partner with industry on practical solutions that make a real difference.

“This matters deeply to me. When women are inspired to take on a role in tech and have a seat at the table, the sector can make more representative decisions, build products that serve everyone, and unlock the innovation and growth our economy needs.”

Founding members of the Women in Tech Taskforce

• Liz Kendall: Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
• Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon: Founder – STEMETTES
• Allison Kirkby: CEO – BT Group
• Anna Brailsford: CEO and Co-Founder – Code First Girls
• Francesca Carlesi: CEO – Revolut
• Louise Archer: Academic – Institute of Education
• Karen Blake: Tech Inclusion Strategist, Former Co-CEO of the Tech Talent Charter
• Sue Daley OBE: Director Tech and Innovation –  techUK
• Vinous Ali: Deputy Executive Director, StartUp Coalition  
• Charlene Hunter: Founder – Coding Black Females
• Dr. Hayaatun Sillem: CEO – Royal Academy of Engineering
• Kate Bell: Assistant General Secretary at TUC
• Amelia Miller: Co-Founder and CEO –  ivee
• Dr Ismini Vasileiou: Director – East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster 
• Emma O’Dwyer:  Director of Public Policy – Uber

One of the UK’s newest cyber security clusters has celebrated another key milestone – with the successful delivery of its latest regional innovation showcase. 

Hampshire and Sussex Cyber Cluster (HANDS C3) partnered with the South Central Regional Defence & Security Cluster (SCRDSC) to deliver Cyber Den – a pilot event created to spark collaboration across the South East’s cyber ecosystem.

Hosted at the University of Southampton Science Park, the Dragons’ Den-style session brought together start-ups, SMEs, universities, corporates, public sector partners, and expert panellists to showcase cutting-edge solutions to real-world cyber challenges. 

Led by Dr Basel Halak, Director of the Cyber Security Academy at the University of Southampton and Founder of HANDS C3, the event underlined the momentum behind building a strong, interconnected cyber ecosystem across the South.

Blending live pitching with opportunities for networking, the format gave early-stage businesses a platform to test ideas with sector leaders and practitioners, gaining feedback that can accelerate their journey from concept to market.

Dr Halak said: “The event benefited greatly from the depth of expertise on our industry panel and the active participation of organisations from across the region, whose insight helped shape and refine the innovators’ thinking. 

“We are particularly grateful to Factory Internet and NquiringMinds for sponsoring Cyber Den – their backing is exactly the kind of industry engagement that enables clusters like HANDS C3 to thrive.”

The winning pitch was delivered by a graduate of the University of Southampton, illustrating the strength of the talent pipeline emerging from regional universities and the role academic institutions play in powering the UK’s cyber sector. 

With further online events planned, and an in-person showcase scheduled for the summer, HANDS C3 is continuing to work on community building across the South East.

Ben Shorrock, UKC3 Director and Ecosystem Development Lead, said: “HANDS C3’s Cyber Den shows exactly what local clusters do best – bringing founders, researchers and industry together around real problems and helping new ideas get the traction they need. 

“By backing clusters to run this kind of focused innovation activity, we are strengthening regional ecosystems and, in turn, the resilience and growth of the UK’s cyber sector as a whole.”

CyNam showed why Cheltenham and Gloucestershire is recognised as a cyber innovation hub during this year’s Gloucestershire Tech Week.

The week-long programme celebrated innovation, collaboration, and the region’s growing influence on the global cyber stage. 

Highlights included a discussion on how Gloucestershire built its cyber ecosystem, capped by the headline talk ‘How to Save the Internet’ from former Deputy Prime Minister and Meta president, Nick Clegg, hosted as part of Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Attendees also explored essential topics shaping the digital age – from international politics and technology investment to cyber resilience – with sessions ranging from a start-up funding workshop to a high-level national security summit at the Bacon Theatre, focusing on geopolitical cyber threats and national defence strategies.

The standout event was arguably EmPower Cyber 2025, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at closing the UK’s digital skills gap and promoting diversity within the cyber workforce. 

Held at Oxstalls Sports Centre in Gloucester, EmPower welcomed more than 1,000 Year 8 and 9 students – making it the largest youth cyber education event in the South West.

With support from 25 leading tech and cybersecurity organisations, the event gave students a chance to get hands-on with interactive cyber challenges, meet industry professionals, and discover pathways into digital and STEM careers. 

The focus on encouraging more girls and underrepresented groups into cyber technology underscored Gloucestershire’s commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready workforce.

UKC3 Director, and Ecosystem Development Lead, Ben Shorrock, said: “What’s happening in Gloucestershire right now shows the power of collaboration between education, business and government.

“Events like EmPower are not just inspiring the next generation of cyber professionals – they’re proving that regional hubs like Cheltenham and Gloucester are driving national progress in digital innovation and resilience.”

By nurturing young talent through initiatives like EmPower, Gloucestershire continues to demonstrate why it stands at the forefront of the UK’s cyber evolution – driving innovation, developing skills, and creating opportunities that ensure the region remains a beacon for digital excellence.

UK cyber clusters are inviting people to complete a new national survey which will help forge a deeper understanding of organisations served by the network.

The Surrey Cyber Security Cluster, in collaboration with SocialOptic, has developed a short questionnaire to gather insight from individuals and organisations across the UK cyber ecosystem. 

The survey is open to anyone in the UK, including employees, organisations across all sectors, students, and universities.

Participants’ responses will help build a clearer picture of current needs, challenges and opportunities, so they can shape support, events, and programmes that are genuinely useful to organisations.

Survey questions are designed to find out what areas of cyber security people are interested in, what type of support would be most valuable, barriers to developing cyber security skills, and how people prefer to receive support or learning opportunities.

Taking part will take approximately 10-15 minutes, and respondents can also choose to receive a copy of the findings once the survey closes.

UKC3 Director, and Ecosystem Development Lead, Ben Shorrock, said: “This survey is about listening to the people and organisations who make up the UK’s cyber ecosystem. 

“It will help shape a solid evidence base to guide clusters in providing the right support – whether that’s skills, networking or growth opportunities.”

You can complete the survey here.