This blog is a replica of the reports in the news about CyberFest on 1 Oct 2024
Leading figures from the cyber security sector are heading back to the North East next month for the CyberFest 2024.
Some of the most senior and influential voices and security leaders from across the industry will land in Newcastle for the conference, which is now in its seventh year.
The theme for this year’s CyberFest Conference is ‘Looking Up, Looking Out’ and organisers have also launched the CyberNorth Awards, which is designed to showcase and celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across the cyber security sector in the North East, with categories including the Innovation Award, Rising Star, Business or Team of the Year and Community Champion.
CyberFest is the North East’s biggest cyber security event, bringing together major players in the cyber business community, to connect, debate, explore contemporary issues affecting businesses and discover new perspectives in the ever-evolving field.
The conference also features speakers and attendees from around the UK, and the world, to connect and collaborate with the North East cyber community and during the week there will be an introduction to an International Panel, discussing potential trading and relationships.
CyberNorth recently led a group from the North East to GCHQ in Cheltenham, home of the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency, as part of their very first UK based Trade Mission.
Danielle Phillips, director and cluster lead at CyberNorth, said the feedback from the trade mission signalled the need to facilitate more national and international opportunities for the region.
Danielle said: “We are delighted to announce the return of CyberFest for 2024 and the launch of the CyberNorth Awards. Year on year the festival builds in traction, and we are committed to bringing together the cyber security community again this year.
“Cyber security continues to be an existential threat to businesses, and cyber threats continue to evolve and accelerate at high speed. However, with challenges come opportunities for innovation, which we can achieve faster through connecting and collaborating collectively on a regional, national and international level to help shape the landscape.
“The Trade Mission earlier in the year to Cheltenham proved to be a great opportunity to fuel cluster collaboration and open dialogue across the cyber community on a national level.
“We saw the appetite for collaborations first hand, and it cemented how important it is to continue to facilitate this dialogue amongst the cyber security community nationally, and we look forward to bringing in the international perspective to the conference this year too.
“Last year’s event was a fantastic success, and we are committed to building CyberFest year on year. We are thrilled to launch the CyberNorth Awards, and we’d urge businesses to get their nominations in as we shine the spotlight on the amazing talent within our region.
“As always, an array of fantastic fringe events will be happening throughout the month and all across the region, which will be free to attend.”
The aim of CyberFest is to raise awareness of cyber security activities across the region as part of the mission ‘To Make the North East a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security.’
Attendees will be able to take a deep dive into the latest initiatives, industry developments and technological innovations, from Net Zero, gender diversity, fostering an inclusive culture, addressing the “experience gap” in cyber security and creating a culture of innovation.
Since inception, CyberNorth has helped in the development of the cyber security community and raised local, national and international awareness of opportunities and capacity in the North East.
The CyberNorth Membership community is made up of around 1000 members from the cyber security landscape and works closely with other sector clusters across the region including FinTech, Space, HealthTech, Advanced Manufacturing and Renewables.
Tickets and the full list of events happening across the month can be found here: https://cybernorth.biz/cyberfest/