Interview

In a new feature, we sit with a cluster manager to find out a little more about them and their role. This month, Kerrianne Gauld, Community Manager, Bristol & Bath Cyber Cluster, shares her thoughts. 

 

 How did you come to work in the cyber security industry? 

 I have worked in the technology sector for nearly 40 years. Sometimes in a hands-on practitioner/tactical role and sometimes in administrative, investment, or strategic role.  I love technology; I find it fascinating, empowering, and a little bit addictive. It makes me curious, and I like being curious. 

In some of my most recent roles, understanding the regional and national tech landscape was part of my remit, so I attended networking events and conferences across the UK looking at trends and building an understanding of the emergent companies and technologies. A lot of the events in the West of England that I attended were run by techSPARK. Last year, one of the techSPARK team mentioned that they were recruiting for a Community Manager for the Bristol & Bath Cyber Cluster and sent me the job description. It really resonated with me, and I applied for the role.  I was lucky enough to be offered the job and I started last January. 

What does your role as a Cluster Manager involve?  

 I think my primary goal is to get to know my community as well as I can.  I can only support the cyber ecosystem in my area if I can understand their challenges and barriers to growth. This knowledge helps me to connect organisations and individuals across the community, whether they’re a startup, a scaleup, or a large enterprise. The Cluster is a platform for collaboration, education, and innovation and for the ecosystem to thrive it needs to grow, and that means working across public and private sectors, and academia, to bring them together and help them get the support and collaboration that they need to spark ideas, investment, and the odd unicorn.  

I’m very lucky to have four Universities in my region that all deliver cybersecurity education and research, so there’s always something new to shout about. I encourage them to provide me with their news and achievements, and I share that with the community.   

Supporting innovation is crucial. I am currently putting together some Roundtables that will look at some of the trends in the technology sector (such as quantum, AI, space/satellite applications), and where those sectors intersect with cybersecurity.  I also make sure that any programmes and initiatives that support companies starting up or growing are shared with the community.  This might be the techSPARK Investment Activator Programme, or the NCSC for Startups Programme, or any other initiative that could spark growth in my community. 

Even in a security conscious, camera shy, community like cyber, people still like to meet up, so I organise regular in-person networking events with topics designed to have a broad appeal across the community and at all levels of knowledge and expertise.  The annual Bristol Bath CyberCon enables me to offer information and networking for more specific groups within the community.  In addition to the keynote speakers, we have technical workshops and knowledge sharing, and last year it included a taster for Cyber Runway.  

Supporting the delivery of cybersecurity schools’ initiatives is also very important. techSPARK is part of the CyberFirst Schools Pilot Programme consortium run by CyNam, that is working to expand the programme across the Southwest.  I work closely with our Schools Lead, and the other clusters in the region (CyNam, SWCSC, and SWCC), to encourage schools to sign up to the programme, and to support existing CyberFirst Schools with access to Industry.  

Community Managers foster connections between individuals, teams, and companies, and the knowledge and assistance that the community needs to grow and thrive. 

Are there any upcoming projects for your cluster that you can tell us more about?  

I am about to issue to Call for Speakers for Bristol Bath CyberCon23, so I’m very interested in the hot topics and challenges for the coming year, and I’m hoping for plenty of engagement from the cyber community across the region and nationally.  I do hope that some of the other UKC3 Clusters will get involved too. 

I will be contacting the other clusters with details of the planned Roundtables to see if they can identify any leaders and pioneers in their areas that might be interested in getting involved.  I’m hopeful that the events will spark a continuing dialogue that will help to further innovation across the sector. 

We are still piloting a cyber focus on the Investment Activator Programme across the Western Gateway region.  There are some events coming up soon that might be of help to startups in the West of England/South Wales. https://invest-southwest.com/  

Is there any work that you’ve done as Cluster Manager/in the industry as a whole that you’re particularly proud of? 

I’m proud of what I do every day.  Though I think my community appreciates the networking events, and CyberCon, the most. There is always a great vibe when they’re gathered in the same place to network and collaborate. It’s taking time, but more of them are getting involved and there is an energy in the cyber community now, that is growing in strength and vibrancy, and I love it! 

Do you have any goals/aspirations that you hope to achieve in your time as Cluster Manager?  

I’d like to see the cluster be financially independent, but that needs me to build something valuable for the community first.  The little wins, the useful connections, the sparks of innovation and growth, need time to establish themselves and for their benefits to become apparent across the local ecosystem. And the organisations need to learn to trust that the Cluster will be there to support them.  Once we have a tangible value proposition then the financial support should be more readily available.  It’s beginning to happen, but we’re not there yet. 

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work?  

I have a tiny tea company.  It’s very niche. I sell single Estate, high quality, Seasonal Ceylon teas from Sri Lanka.  These teas are specially selected for their unique regional characteristics and flavours by Robert Wilson, his family have been planters and agents, for at least 5 generations, since 1840.  

All of the teas carry the Ceylon Lion logo, the symbol of quality, issued by the Sri Lankan Tea Council, and Robert has won more Great Taste awards for his teas than any other tea producer; 70 at the last count. 

It’s an absolute joy for me, as I drink a lot of tea! 

I used to do a range of aerial arts activities, static trapeze, lyra hoop, and silks, but an injury a few years ago (not related) followed by two years of lockdowns has severely hampered my circus skills! I don’t think I’ve got a head for heights anymore.  

I volunteer at Glastonbury every year. I’m part of the team at the John Peel Stage.  It’s such a great time and full of amazing experiences and memories.  I met Primal Scream this year, only a few months before they lost Martin Duffy.  They were all really lovely and very gracious.  Not all of the bands are this nice! 

I also grow chillies and like making very hot sauces and condiments with them.   

Do you have any advice for other Cluster Managers?  

My one piece of advice would be: Persevere!   

When I first began contacting individuals and companies in my Cluster area it was hard to articulate what the Cluster was for, why it existed, why they should get involved. Everything seemed very subjective and ethereal.   

Now it’s easier: Both because I know more about what I can do for them, but also because they have been to an event or the conference, or been connected to someone useful, or had a chance to share their news to a willing audience, and they can now see why they should be involved with the community and what the benefits are. 

It does feel like you’re repeating yourself and being rejected by people you’re trying to help, but it does get easier, and it is rewarding. 

 

Everybody wants to know what the future holds. Those who are a step ahead of the rest can foresee challenges and avoid falling into pitfalls, or they can spot opportunities and ride to success. This is as true in the cyber security landscape as it is in any other. Over the past few years, organisations across the globe have come to understand just how pervasive cyber threats are and cyber security companies need to form a collaboration network to strengthen their cyber shields. Understanding the future needs of the cyber ecosystem, UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) was launched to encourage greater collaboration across regions and nations of the UK.

In the past 12 months, having recognised clusters in 12 regions and nations, a further two emerging clusters that are expected to be formally recognised in the next six months, UKC3 has achieved one of its key objectives to support local cyber businesses, connect the UK’s cyber sector and fuel growth in the sector.

The funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has been pivotal to this success. It’s also provided the ability to harness growth opportunities for the clusters and amplify the impact they are having. Although the UKC3 is just a year old, they have achieved a number of important outcomes in a short time.

Richard Yorke, the Chairman of UKC3, explains everything we need to know about UKC3 and the organisation’s vision and its alignment with the National Cyber Strategy.

 

Enhancing engagement of UK Cyber Cluster community

In a nutshell the role of UKC3 is to drive regional sector growth through Cyber Clusters. “We exist to support Cyber Clusters in their mission to drive economic growth in the sector. We do this through funding and by enabling opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, sharing of best practice, and identification of opportunities for regional and ultimately national growth.” Richard commented.

As a national body, the UKC3 works across public, private sectors, and academia and provides a single entity for organisations wishing to engage with the UK Cyber Cluster community. Founded in May 2021, UKC3 is a Not for Profit, Community Interest Company by a number of cyber cluster leads from various regions and nations in the UK. The notion of a national body for UK cyber clusters came about as a result of a collaboration project between 11 cyber cluster leads and DCMS who shared a common interest in driving regional cyber sector growth and recognising the vital role that cyber clusters play.

Speaking about how UKC3 engages with clusters, Richard said “We hold monthly meetings with all cluster leads, including new and emerging clusters, at which we share information and invite guest speakers to brief on key initiatives and programmes of work in the sector.

We have three working groups covering Skills, Ecosystem Development and Innovation which bring together cluster leads with an active interest in these topics to share knowledge and experiences of related activities in their region as well as identifying opportunities for clusters to collaborate.”

Investing back into clusters by funding their projects

Having earmarked a proportion of DCMS funding into a project fund, UKC3 focused on financing cluster projects that aim to deliver outcomes relating to these three themes:

• Ecosystem Development: activities and initiatives that broaden and strengthen regional cyber ecosystems.
• Innovation: activities and initiatives that support innovation and provide the conditions for high growth cyber start-ups.
• Cyber Skill Growth: activities and initiatives focused on addressing the cyber skills gap.

To be able to get projects funded, cyber clusters need to demonstrate and meet certain criteria, in order to be recognised by the UKC3. “Working with cyber cluster leads from across the UK, we developed an agreed Operating Framework for Cyber Clusters. As part of becoming formally recognised and funded by UKC3, a Cyber Cluster must operate in line with the framework.

The framework comprises a common set of principles, objectives and outcomes that provide a clear definition of a Cluster’s remit and objectives, enabling stakeholders to better understand and support the work that Clusters do in developing and growing their local cyber ecosystem.” Richard added.

Nurturing innovation to approach Ecosystem Development

A large part of our Ecosystem Development stream is focused on cross sector engagement. With increasing digitisation, all sectors are becoming more reliant on strong cyber expertise and capability in order to innovate and operate securely.

Critical National Infrastructure sectors are a high priority (Telecoms, Finance, Healthcare, Energy, Transport etc.) as those sectors are adopting leading edge technology (AI, Quantum Computing etc.). However, UKC3 encourages cyber clusters to form strong links and partnerships with the industrial sectors that are most prevalent in their regions.

Working closely with key regional industries to identify opportunities for cross sector innovation is a way to approach Ecosystem Development. Clusters with strong links to regional Universities can promote and identify commercial opportunities linked to the world-leading cyber research that is happening across the length and breadth of the UK.

In a number of regions, cyber clusters, supported by UKC3, are working with partners on the development of Cyber Innovation Centres and accelerators programmes with the cluster playing the crucial role of convening, building and nurturing the all important ecosystem and community around this.

Addressing skills gap to achieve cluster objectives

“The skills gap is a major issue for the cyber industry as is the need for greater diversity and we very much see clusters, with their strong regional presence as being a driving force in addressing this.” Richard commented.

There are a number of cluster projects which the UKC3 have funded that bring regionally based cyber industry partners into the local education scene to help inspire the next generation of cyber professionals. UKC3 is also forming links with the UK Cyber Security Council (the voice for the profession) and other national stakeholders such as NCSC’s Cyber First and Cyber Explorers to ensure a joined up approach to skills development.

By addressing this, UKC3 has thrived in a short period of time. Richard said “I am proud to say that UKC3 has achieved formation and governance of the organisation, supported and funded cyber clusters across the UK and also established relationships with key national players in the cyber sector including the UK Cyber Security Council, TechUK, National Cyber Resilience Centre, NCSC, DCMS and DIT.”

UKC3’s vision to align with the National Cyber Strategy

With UKC3 and the clusters’ core mission of driving regional growth of the cyber sector, the challenges UKC3 is focusing on very much echo the pillars outlined in the National Cyber Strategy.

Richard commented “Under each of these we believe the clusters will play a vital role:

Pillar 1. Strengthening the UK’s Cyber Ecosystem

• Identifying opportunities to drive growth of regionally based cyber companies
• Driving Cyber Skills Growth and diversity initiatives within each region and nation
• Building a dynamic cyber cluster network based on collaboration, openness and mutual support

Pillar 2. Building a resilient and prosperous digital UK

• Enable clusters to support the growth of regionally based cyber security companies
• Work with Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) leadership to develop a CRC delivery model that leverages and creates opportunities for the regional cyber economy

Pillar 3. Taking the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power

• Support growth of innovative start-ups
• Identify opportunities for collaboration between cluster regions/nations
• Knowledge Exchange on the development of key technologies
• Establish and build on links to Academia

Pillar 4. Advancing UK global leadership and influence for a secure and prosperous international order

• Establish international connections and partnerships
• Support clusters and their members to develop export and FDI opportunities”

Cyber security is a rapidly growing sector and a key enabler of technological advancement, supporting economic growth and protecting UK plc. UKC3 has been launched to support Cyber Clusters and encourage greater cyber security collaboration across regions and nations of the UK.

To learn more about UKC3 and to update events across UKC3 clusters network or UK cyber security sector, visit here.