Overview

The NWCSC have been a membership based organisation in operation for just two year this March. The clusters aim is to primarily educate SMEs on cyber security, the risks and best practices to minimise those risks. We do this in a number of ways such as our events throughout the year, our annual conference which is free to attend (cybersecurityconference.org.uk), marketing blogs which provide up-to-date information, social media to help spread the blogs and newsletters and more.

The cluster also looks to innovation and work with a varying range of large corporations, education and government bodies to help assist bringing new ideas and products to market. The education sector is a key factor in this and Lancaster University as our main education partner drive these projects.

We are already in the process of moving the cluster forward by providing more accessible training modules, helping to bridge the skills shortage and to continue to work with the European Commission, The Cyber Growth Partnership, TITAN, Cyber Demonstration Centre, The NCA and NCCU to help with the overall cyber health of the country.

As a cluster, we have 26 active members which meet once a month or every second month to discuss individual industry sectors, the needs and problems facing those sectors and what the cluster can do to help them. As the cyber crime world is ever evolving it is vital that we keep a constant stream of communication open between police, government, SMEs and education and as a cluster we have found being a main point of contact for all of them has proven to be the best practice. We are also in contact with over 500 individuals and SMEs on a regular basis which we keep abreast of the latest developments and invite to our many events.