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.
