North East Cyber Security Cluster organisation, CyberNorth, and Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) have today announced a pivotal partnership to spearhead and leverage the capabilities of the North East cyber security community.
FTSE 100 company, Sage, is heavily rooted in the region with global headquarters in Newcastle employing more than 1,200 colleagues at the Cobalt Park HQ. The partnership will see both CyberNorth and Sage join forces to accelerate the growth and innovation of the cyber security capabilities in the North East region, which include the launch of an ambitious plan for the creation of the North East Innovation Zone, which would provide a physical home for technology businesses to grow and thrive.
Danielle Phillips, CEO at CyberNorth, who recently represented CyberNorth in the UAE this month as part of GISEC Global, the world’s leading global security conference, said:
“The North East has a stellar roll call of companies blazing a trail across the cyber security landscape, however, there is still further potential which remains untapped. Our plans are ambitious, but essential. This partnership with Sage really is a pivotal moment for CyberNorth and the cyber security community as a whole in the region.”
With around 67,300 employed in the UK cyber security sector across the UK, and over 6,600 new jobs created last year, the sector recently generated revenues of around £13.2 billion, and £7.8 billion in gross value added. The growth in the market is largely driven by the escalating cyber threats, more stringent regulatory requirements, and the accelerated adoption of AI technologies. The cyber security sector continues to grow in momentum with key bodies strategically aware of the sector’s rising importance and the need to invest in it, with the King’s Speech recently introducing the new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to highlight the critical need for heightened cyber protection.
Mads Howard, Manager in the CEO Office at Sage, who was recently awarded an MBE in the UK Honours List for her work in cyber security and advocacy for gender diversity in technology, said: “Sage is proud to work with CyberNorth and support its ambitions to showcase the North East as a Global Innovation Hub. The North East has a rich heritage of innovation, by investing in our local ecosystem we are helping to build a strong, more resilient digital economy for the future.”
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 have amplified the region’s profile nationally and internationally, reinforced by recent backing from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness for its influential “Influencing the Influencer” campaign.
Danielle added:
“This exciting partnership paves the way to further bolster our presence, and collaborative charge on a regional, national and international platform. We look forward to seizing all the exciting new opportunities this partnership will bring to the table.”
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 across the region to take up careers and build skills in cyber security.
Left: Danielle Phillips – CyberNorth. Right: Mads Howard – Sage
