Advertise on podcast: It's Cyber Up North

In this episode we are live from Cyberfest 2025 and discussing why diversity matters in Cyber Security with CyberNorth’s Thea Scott and UK Governments Stuart Frost BEM and Parisa Akaber, Siemens.   Tune in as we take a deep-dive around:  ·      Why diversity is such a critical factor in building resilient and effective cyber security teams ·      The important collaboration between industry, universities, and local government plays in tackling diversity issues ·      What employers can do differently to attract and retain diverse talent in cyber

  In this episode of It’s Cyber Up North we are live from CyberFest 2025 exploring the hot topic of AI and Cyber Security—and how the EU AI Act is changing the game.  Jon Holden (CyberNorth) is joined by Lucy Batley, owner at Traction Industries, and an absolute powerhouse recognised on the AI 100 UK List 2025, which celebrates individuals and organisations driving responsible, ethical and impactful use of Artificial Intelligence across the UK.  Tune in as the duo take a deep-dive into AI and Cyber.

In this episode of It’s Cyber Up North we take a deep dive into AI with Newcastle University with a specific focus on Edge Computing and the National Edge AI Hub Jon Holden is joined by guests Aydin Abadi (Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity) and Mujeeb Ahmed (Senior Lecturer the School of Computing's Secure and Resilient Systems Group) at Newcastle University and the trio discuss: The current landscape around cyber security and AIA spotlight on Edge ComputingThe work of the National Edge AI Hub and opportunities for the North East cyber security sector

The key to success - collaboration? In our latest podcast our guests Debra Cairns (Net-Defence) and Ed Bartlett (Hicomply) join Danielle Phillips (CyberNorth) to discuss how collaboration and not competitiveness has grown their business and continues to see them thrive.

This episode of It's Cyber Up North is a bit of a weepy one! With Phil Jackman set to retire from CyberNorth, Danielle and Phil take a look back over the journey of CyberNorth – from initial inception, to a glimpse into what the future now holds for CyberNorth as Danielle Phillips takes over the reins.

In this episode CyberNorth shines the spotlight on the importance of Innovation and Investment to accelerate scale up success in SMEs in the North East Cyber Security sector. Phil Jackman (CyberNorth) is joined by Naomi Allen Seales (Northstar Ventures) and Connor Greig (One Click Comply) to discuss securing investment and the role of CyberNorths innovation centres in exploring innovative capabilities. 

On this episode we talk Space! Cyber security and space are becoming increasingly intertwined as space exploration, satellite networks and space-based technologies grow in importance Thea Scott from CyberNorth is joined by Ed Bartlett, CEO, and they discuss the opportunities for SMEs in the region to explore the space industry which is worth around 19 billion in the UK.

On this episode, Danielle Phillips and Thea Scott from CyberNorth talk about their ambitious plans for the creation of the North East Innovation Zone. Join Danielle and Thea as they discuss the collaborative passion and drive at CyberNorth and the wider community to create an environment of support from which businesses can commercialise, grow and thrive.

In this episode, Danielle Phillips from CyberNorth is joined by Sarah Hibbert, ITPS and Juliet Melia, Mott MacDonald to talk about Influencing the Influencer - a new campaign launched in the North East to inspire young girls to pursue careers in cyber security. If you have any influence over young people's career choices then this is a must listen.

In the first episode of 2025, Danielle Phillips and Phil Jackman explore some to the exciting things that are happening in CyberNorth. Find out more at www.cybernorth.biz

In this episode, Thea from CyberNorth meets with Nicola Taylor from ScotlandIS to talk about its work on nurturing future talent in cyber security and, in particular its focus on the Experience Gap. Find out more about ScotlandIS October is CyberFest - book your tickets now!

In this episode, Phil Jackman from CyberNorth talks with Callum Duncan, Managing Director of Sencode, provider of Penetration Testing And Cyber Security Services, based in Middlesbrough. Duncan's interests cover, among many other things, gaming developments around Open Source Large Language models and the use of "Agents". What are they, how is this affecting the world of gaming and what are the cyber security implications? You can find out more about Duncan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/callum-duncan-/ And Sencode at: https://sencode.co.uk/

CyberNorth catches up with Aidan from Aspire Technology Solutions, one of the region's leading cyber businesses. Everyday, and I mean everyday, Aidan publishes his Cyber Daily newsletter on LinkedIn. At the time of writing he is on edition number 168, an amazing achievement. The Cyber Daily is a fantastic source of information and updates, that show the enormous breadth of topics that make up the exciting, global industry that is cyber security. You can sign up for Cyber Daily or catch up with Aidan on his LinkedIn site: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidandickenson-cybersecurity-solutions-expert/

In this episode find out how CyberNorth is working with its colleagues ScotlandIS in supporting the development of a best practice charter to help IT Managed Service Providers (MSPs) deliver and maintain consistent standards of service across the industry. Phil is joined by Beverley Bowles from ScotlandIS who is leading on the initiative and Debra Cairns from Net-Defence which has business both in the North East and Scotland, and who is a supporter of and signatory to the charter. Yiu can find out more about the charter at our website.

Human risk in cyber security is significant with the majority of successful attacks having some human element. We've all been there with fingers poised over the keyboard to click on that dodgy link or enter personal details that you know you shouldn't. In this episode we speak to Kimberley Graham and Kaye Johnson from Sage about the role of Security Champions in their organisation and how this approach could be adopted by others. We also come back to a favourite topic of innovation and how Security Champions can play a pivotal role in better innovation. Kaye is also a passionate STEM ambassador, another topic touched upon.