UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration

UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration

Press Release

UKC3 elects new board members

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UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) is pleased to announce its newly elected board. After an electoral process, the UKC3 welcomes Linda Smith, a business innovation and trade specialist, as its new Chair and two new members to the board, Paul Boardman, Strategic Growth and Collaboration Lead at the North West Cyber Security Cluster, and Ben Shorrock, Managing Director of TechSPARK.

With a background in driving commercial innovation within the cyber and technology sectors, the new chair of UKC3, Linda Smith, has a proven track record across public and private sector environments. Having previously been employed by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the West Midlands, Linda was also responsible for the creation and delivery of the BetaDen Tech Accelerator programme based at Malvern Hills Science Park, which works closely with the Midlands Cyber Security Cluster.

UKC3 also welcomes Ben Shorrock to the board as Ecosystem Development Lead. Ben has been working to help grow tech and digital businesses for the last decade and is Managing Director of TechSPARK, the Southwest’s network for tech start-up and scale-ups working with 35,000 people a month to help them recruit, network and raise capital.

Also joining the UKC3 Board as Innovation Join-Up Lead is Paul Boardman. Paul’s background in the Cyber, National Security and Defence sector extends back 15 years, during which time he has worked with GCHQ, NCSC, The Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. He currently works with the North West Cyber Security Cluster as the Strategic Growth and Collaboration Lead.

Linda Smith, chair of UKC3 said “I’m delighted to become Chair of the UKC3 board and to welcome Paul and Ben to the board. Since the launch of UKC3 in 2021, we have worked closely with clusters to build sustainable cyber ecosystems that support innovation, growth and skills. On behalf of the board, I look forward to continuing to support the clusters’ initiatives and helping to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.”

Other members of the board, who have been re-elected are:

John Davies MBE, who has worked closely with UKC3 since its inception and has been elected as Vice Chair. In addition to working in information security for 35 years, John has helped add more clusters to the Welsh cyber ecosystem and formed Cyber Wales in 2017, a not-for-profit umbrella organisation that supports the 8 Cyber Security Clusters that now run in Wales. He received an MBE for “Services to the UK Cyber Ecosystem.”

Melanie Oldham who has over 18 years of experience in the Information Security Industry and has taken the position of Cyber Skills Growth Lead. In 2015, Melanie founded the Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster, to help grow the local cyber security ecosystem and support regional practitioners with knowledge sharing, skills, innovation, and growth. She is also the founder of the Cyber Edtech company, Bob’s Business, bringing cyber security to life through animation and storytelling to help organisations deliver cybersecurity cultural change programmes.

Phil Jackman has been elected as UKC3’s Treasurer and Secretariat. Phil has a wealth of experience working with organisations in the North East; Phil is the former Director of Dynamo North East, an industry-led initiative focused on growing the tech sector in the area and leads the CyberNorth cyber cluster.

UKC3 Takes the Stand at InfoSec 2022 with 13th Cluster Launch

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  • Sue Lowe, DCMS to talk about the importance of clusters in driving growth during workshop InfoSec 2022 UKC3’s debut attendance at stand R45

DCMS-backed, UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) debuts at InfoSec 2022 with the launch of its 13th cluster in the space of a year. The new Surrey Cyber Security Cluster (SCSC) is the latest in a series of recognised cyber clusters across the regions and nations of the UK, established to directly support regional, joined up growth for the cyber sector. InfoSec 2022 also provides the opportunity for all cyber businesses to find out how they can expedite growth through cluster participation with the popular Security Workshop, ‘How to Accelerate Your Company’s Growth Through Regional Alliance’ on Wednesday 22nd June 12.00 pm.

The Surrey cluster recognition comes off the launch of Cyber East, North West Cyber Cluster and the Swindon & Wiltshire Cyber Cluster in recent months. SCSC, supported by University of London (Royal Holloway), University of Surrey, Surrey County Council and local cyber companies, is developing an active cyber security ecosystem for Surrey which already has a rich background in cyber. This includes Royal Holloway’s status as one of the founder institutions of the International Cyber Security Centre of Excellence and the University of Surrey’s Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research. The county also hosts major industry names in cyber security such as BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Cap Gemini, F5, CGI, Cisco, and VMWare as well as businesses with inward cyber security teams like Samsung, EA, and BP. 

A central feature for InfoSec’s popular Security Workshops is UKC3’s Wednesday session on how regional involvement can boost business’ performance through participation in ecosystem development, innovation and skills growth initiatives. The workshop kicks off with an introduction  from Suzanne Lowe on the role of cyber clusters in driving regional growth . Participants will then have the opportunity to get fully involved in discussions across all of the three key work streams that are at the heart of UKC3’s mission: 

  1. Skills and talent (what’s being done to upskill, what talent is needed, how to harness)
  2. Ecosystem development (how co-opetition works, the importance of connections and collaboration, cross sector engagement)
  3. innovation (the conditions for innovation and high growth startups, how you can contribute)

Commenting on their first time attendance at InfoSec, Chair UKC3, Richard Yorke said:

“How else could we celebrate our inaugural presence at InfoSec than with the announcement of another cluster recognition.. This is absolute testament to the demand for cluster activity across the UK’s cyber ecosystem as the sector continues to grow. We are keen for all UK businesses with an interest in cyber (both supply and demand side),  to become part of the UKC3 network of clusters. That is precisely why InfoSec is a critical event for us and for all visitors and exhibitors to find out more about how clusters can help them develop. Hence our workshop being accessible to all, with open dialogue at its heart. Come and meet us at our stand to chat more.”

Mark Pearson, Chair, SCSC, added:

“Our vision is for Surrey to be recognised as a region of excellence for cyber technology and innovation in the UK and internationally.  We aim to be an enabler organisation that works with partners to create the ideal conditions for the growth of cyber technology and innovation in Surrey by facilitating connection, capacity building and collaboration. UKC3 provides us with the structure to deliver and build on this, through connecting with other clusters, sharing expertise and growing the UK cyber capabilities. InfoSec is our first major event and being featured there shows how important clusters are to our cyber economy.”

To find your local cyber cluster, click here.

UKC3 Celebrates Successful Inaugural Year

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  • UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) recently celebrated its first 12 months of operations.
  • UKC3’s mission is to support growth of the UK’s cyber sector by enabling cyber clusters to collaborate and deliver activity across key areas: ecosystem development, innovation and skills growth.
  • UKC3 Cyber Clusters boosted by nearly £2 million investment, over 2 years, from DCMS strengthening regional cyber ecosystems.
  • Since it was launched, UKC3 has accomplished several achievements: supporting the launch of the National Cyber Strategy 2022, creation of new clusters, development of skills, talent and job opportunities and connecting the industry.

Backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) has celebrated its first anniversary following the launch in May 2021. In the past 12 months, the organisation has seen the development and recognition of 12 cyber clusters across the UK, all focused on driving regional growth of the cyber ecosystem and the businesses within it.

During the last year, the number of UKC3 recognised clusters grew from seven to twelve across UK regions and nations with a further two expected to come on board in the next six months. These local clusters play a vital role in supporting local cyber businesses and connecting the UK cyber sector into a thriving ecosystem. As part of their strategy, the organisation is supporting cyber skills growth initiatives such as regional Cyber First Schools pilots, apprenticeship schemes and various direct-to-student/college projects. In addition, a number of clusters are actively involved in Cyber Runway, a programme for cyber innovation.

Over the last 12 months, UKC3, a Community Interest Company, has secured nearly £2million of investment from DCMS to fund cluster activities from May 2021 over a 24 month period, as the UK Government continues to support the growth of the UK cyber sector.  As part of this, UKC3 is playing a central role in the Government’s National Cyber Strategy 2022 to deliver on growth and strengthening the UK cyber Ecosystem.

Security minister, Minister Lopez said:

“Supporting our thriving cyber sector and its talented professionals is vital to ensuring we remain a global tech power. Our investment in UKC3’s ambitious cyber programme is boosting skills and supporting businesses to develop cutting-edge tools which can keep people safe and secure online.”

Commenting on the first year of operations, UKC3 Chair, Richard Yorke, said:

“Cyber continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy with the talent and capability in our regions and nations playing a pivotal role. It’s been an exciting first year; we’ve created the right foundations and are now building from them. I’m delighted with how we are working with cyber clusters across the country to support and develop their local ecosystems and put in place the conditions in which cyber start-ups and SMEs can flourish in a particularly dynamic, fast-moving industry. All businesses involved with the cyber sector can benefit from being part of their local cluster, individually and as part of the collaborative effort. It’s a good place to be.”

UKC3 will be at the industry’s leading event, InfoSec 21st-23rd June, where they will be holding a workshop for people working in the cyber sector to see how their local cluster can support them. To find your local cyber cluster, click here.

UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) to join international cyber security leaders at CYBERUK 2022

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  • This year, UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) will participate at CYBERUK to share knowledge and expertise about cyber clusters’ role in driving growth in the cyber sector across the UK.
  • Richard Yorke, Chair of UKC3, and Ciara Mitchell, Ecosystem Development Lead at UKC3, will deliver insights into how clusters are helping businesses to improve technical skills and work with a wide range of organisations to improve cyber skills.
  • UKC3’s team will be present on the Exhibiting floor to interact with industry leaders and engage in new collaboration avenues.

One year since its launch, UKC3 has announced its participation in the UK Government’s CYBERUK 2022 taking place 10-11 May at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Newport, Wales. Backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and supported by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), UKC3 will represent cyber clusters in the UK, and their contribution to growing the cyber sector in their respective nations and regions.

Two of UKC3’s board will be in the spotlight at CYBERUK 2022. Ciara Mitchell, Ecosystem Development Lead at UKC3, will open the first day of CYBERUK 2022 at 8am, with a get together session, “Women in Cyber Networking”, in partnership with Women in Cyber Wales, led by Clare Johnson. The session is dedicated to women working in or hoping to work in the cyber security industry, and it will benefit from Ciara and Clare’s expertise in the cyber networking space.

Richard Yorke, Chair of UKC3Richard Yorke, Chair of UKC3, will be part of an exciting panel on Tuesday, 10 May: “Stream B: Creating a big bang – When government, education and industry collide”. The panel also includes the Deputy Director for Cyber Growth at NCSC, Chris Ensor, the CEO of IASME, Emma Philpott, the Managing Director of TryHackMe, Ben Spring, Cardiff University Professor of Data Science and Cybersecurity, Pete Burnap, and a senior representative from Naq Cyber.

Speaking about the importance of UKC3 to join this international cyber event, Richard Yorke said:
“Having the possibility to network with international leaders in the cyber security scene so close to home is a privilege. I believe this event is significant for knowledge exchange with other global cyber security actors, and cyber clusters, as well as businesses and individuals will greatly benefit from the sessions at this event.

I’m delighted to be part of the panel on ‘Creating a big bang – When government, education, and industry collide’ sharing the scene with members of NCSC, Cardiff University, and leading cyber security firms in the UK.”

UKC3 team will be available for further networking and informal discussions on the Exhibition Floor, at stand A18, where members of its formally recognised cyber clusters will also interact with the broader CYBERUK 2022 participants, sharing experience and best practices for driving innovation, skills growth and ecosystem development in the cyber sector.

About UKC3

The UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration exists 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.

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. There are currently 12 cyber clusters across the UK working on developing the cyber sector across three key areas: skills, innovation and ecosystem development.

New Year’s Recognition from Her Majesty the Queen For UKC3 Board Members

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UKC3 Board Members, Melanie Oldham, has been recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List for her ‘services to cyber security’.  Melanie, also CEO and Founder of cyber firm, Bob’s Business, was awarded the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty The Queen. On the same date, UKC3 Board Member John Davies received the MBE Recognition services to the UK cyber ecosystem.

For the past two decades, Melanie has been actively involved in the Information Security industry, helping individuals and organisations to understand how cyber security can help them live and work safer online.

Melanie is the Founder and CEO of Bob’s Business, where her efforts are directed at developing engaging information security awareness to develop a secure organisational culture by challenging and changing employee behaviour. Since last year, Melanie has been the Vice Chair of the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) focusing on supporting cyber clusters and encouraging greater collaboration between regional cyber security networks to drive skills growth and innovation in the cyber industry in the UK. 

In June 2020, Melanie became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (FCIIS), having demonstrated commitment and earned respect and authority in the cyber security community. Her services to cyber security  were remarked also for her work as the Director of Yorkshire Cyber Security Cluster, which is one of the UKC3-recognised cyber clusters, where Melanie facilitates collaborative work to build and increase information security knowledge and provide a networking platform to share ideas and best practice.

A major component of her service in the cyber security sector is through her collaborations with  schools and academia, inspiring the cyber security professionals of tomorrow, encouraging diversity and helping influence and improve cyber career and qualification paths. 

Melanie Oldham’s contribution to the numerous cyber security and information security projects, programmes and educational campaigns, on a regional, national and international level was the basis of the recommendations for the OBE title. The OBE is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in their fields at a local level, or to those whose work has gained national profile.

On receiving the OBE, Melanie said:

“I am deeply honoured to be receiving the OBE distinction from Her Majesty The Queen, and grateful to see that my work in the Information Security sector over the last 17 years has been recognised at the national level. The road to integrating cyber security and Information Security into the day to day working processes to have better secured organisations has just started and I am committed to lead on new projects and initiatives that will have a positive impact for organisations’ Information Security at the national level.”

As the Vice Chair of UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3), Melanie is working with cyber clusters, coordinating the knowledge exchange and sharing of best practice between clusters, in order to develop the ecosystem, promote innovation and grow cyber skills. To find out more about UKC3, visit here.

UKC3 debuts at Birmingham’s National Cyber Security Show

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  • UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3) launched in June 2021, to encourage greater collaboration across regions and nations of the UK.
  • The title of the UKC3 ‘s panel discussion is ‘The power of clusters – driving growth in the cyber security sector’
  • Delegates get the chance to understand what a cyber cluster is and how it supports the cyber sector together with the benefits for getting engaged with local clusters.

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Today, [1st September 2021], UKC3 has announced its participation at the brand new National Cyber Security Show, to be held 7th-9th September 2021, at the NEC, Birmingham. This follows from the DCMS-backed UKC3’s early summer launch as the UK’s first national cyber cluster organisation. The organisation’s board is made up of Cyber Cluster leads from across the UK. In addition, an Advisory Group has been established with further Cluster representatives.

At the event, delegates are invited to attend the UKC3 session on ‘The power of clusters – driving growth in the cyber security sector’ where it will also share industry wide opinion and insights, which will examine and highlight the needs of the UK cyber industry; together with an overview of the vision of UKC3, its purpose and how it intends to support the wider cyber community.

Chairing the panel session entitled ‘The power of clusters – driving growth in the cyber security sector’ is John Davies, Co-founder, Chair and Board Director & Cyber Skills Growth Lead for UKC3 of Cyber Wales. He will be joined by Ciara Mitchell, Cluster Manager for Scotland’s Cyber Cluster and UKC3 Ecosystem Development Lead and Melanie Oldham, UKC3 Vice Chair, YCSC Cluster Manager – CEO of Bob’s Business.

Other esteemed panellists will include Marie Caruso, Bristol and Bath Cyber Cluster Leadership Team Member and Sales/Marketing Manager for Arcanum Information Security Ltd and Jason Davies, Co-Founder of Cyber Wales and Chair of the North Wales Cyber Security Cluster.

Richard Yorke, UKC3 Chair, shared his thoughts on its participation in the National Cyber Security Show; “Firstly, it is fantastic to be at a real-life event again. Since the pandemic started, the UK’s cyber industry has enjoyed an exceptional growth rate and it is valuable for us all to meet and continue that innovation drive. This event provides us with a unique opportunity for the cyber industry to get involved with UKC3 as we work to deliver growth and skills development to support the sector.”

Tristan Norman, Group Event Director, Nineteen Group stated, “We are truly excited to have launched the National Cyber Security Show and equally excited to provide the ‘in person’ launch platform for UKC3. We look forward to collaborating with UKC3 and all the cluster members to help champion innovation, expertise, entrepreneurship and grow the UK Cyber Security Sector; with common goal in making British businesses safer and more resilient to cyber threats.”

In addition to the panel session, UKC3 will be hosting a cyber sector-wide survey online at their exhibition stand 3/E32, to gain detailed insight from professionals on how clusters can support the industry to combat key cyber security concerns such as ransomware, malware, phishing, together with supporting the needs of the ever evolving of IOT, AI and the cloud based ecosystems.

Yorke, added, “We are calling all experts across the cyber sector to come, collaborate and share their thoughts on how clusters can support the industry together with sharing what they believe are the upcoming challenges facing the market.”

UKC3 provides a focal point for national and global organisations looking to engage with UK cyber clusters and the cyber-tech ecosystem. It has three core goals: supporting innovation, developing the cyber ecosystem and boosting skills and talent. Part of UKC3’s remit is to provide support and allocated funding for projects that support the three goals through the cluster network.

To connect directly with the team at UKC3 please visit here.

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