On the 18th of June 2026, cyber leaders from across the Northern regions packed into the Tap Yard to round off the end of TechNExt with an event hosted by a global AI and Cyber innovator.
We partnered with Check Point to bring its prestigious Cyber Leader Summit to Newcastle for the festival, in what was a landmark decision and evidence that the region’s talent and professionalism is being noticed on a national stage. The Summit was specifically designed for security leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. It extends beyond surface-level, bringing together C-suite and industry leading researchers to unpack an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Having brought this national event to the attention of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, DSIT were happy to champion the summit’s presence in Newcastle in clear recognition of the North East’s place amongst the top areas in the UK for cyber security. . For years, the narrative surrounding the North East’s digital sector was focused on “catching up” or “raising awareness.” There is still work to be done but today, the North East is a region that isn’t fighting for a place in the rapidly advancing digital and cyber technology ecosystem. We have arrived.
Across the region, we’re seeing pockets of groundbreaking innovation, acquisitions and national collaborations. It is our role, at CyberNorth, to bring these together and events like the Cyber Leader Summit are a fantastic place to do this and to showcase the region to a wider audience.
The summit was a landmark sign of change. Industry giants are acknowledging a new truth: if you want to work in the future of digital and cyber resilience, you look North.
Addressing the developing landscape
The packed agenda focused on human-AI relationships, the trust gap in AI adoption and the responsible use of data, with a healthy smattering of risk, governance and assurance mixed in for good measure!
A highlight of the afternoon was the lively interactive panel discussion, hosted by Check Point’s Charlotte Wilson, featuring a collection of experts:
- Alex Bowyer (BBC)
- Meera Sarma (Cystel)
- David Dove (Waterstons)
- Lucy Batley (Mother and Traction Industries)
With full audience participation, the panel were grilled on their opinions, evidence and experience around the challenges facing our society, both from a personal and professional perspective.
A standout moment occurred when a legal professional pressed the panel on what AI leaders believe that legislators and law-makers actually need to grasp regarding AI’s legal implications. The ensuing discussions centred on liability and accountability. The legal system must define who is responsible when things go wrong. Check Point’s Charlotte Wilson also addressed the key issue of AI bias and inequality that hangs over AI-powered decision making, highlighting the gender and racial biases that have been demonstrated by leading AI models.
As you can see, the Summit is not a space to discuss the basics. It serves as an opportunity to dig directly into the complexities of governance, security, and your most pressing questions at c-suite level..
Breaking The Bot: You shall not pass
As the afternoon came to a close and the TechNExt closing party drew closer, the Summit concluded with a challenge. Check Point dared the room to beat their AI bot,“Gandalf.”
Working together to bypass the AI’s internal rules and convince it to give away information it should be forbidden from sharing, cyber leaders went head-to-head with Gandalf in a fascinating display of how easily a poorly managed AI bot can be convinced to leak real company information and confidential data.
It was a fitting end to the day: an opportunity to decompress with refreshments while driving home important points on AI security. A fine display of the continuing collaboration and collective working that defines the North East’s vibrant tech community.
The Cyber Leader Summit Newcastle confirmed what we, who live here, have known for some time, the North East is not a footnote in the digital story. It is a chapter leader.
A note from The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology:
At DSIT, we always look to support the regions in their pursuit of improved cyber security practices and, increasingly, their focus on AI development and its adoption.
To strengthen resilience across the UK, it is essential that the regions continue to upskill their businesses and the next generation of professionals in these frontier technologies.
That a global leader in cyber tech and AI has chosen to bring their senior leader summit to the North East, is a great indication of the calibre of businesses and potential of the region.
I wish the event every success.”
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.— Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring
