It’s back for its fourth year. Dynamo, in partnership with Accenture and the Innovation Supernetwork is hosting #CyberFest, a series of events across the North East during September 2021 that highlight the breadth of cyber security talent across the region. Last year was 100% virtual and we are hoping for a mixture of online and hybrid events.
We look forward to bringing together our North East cyber security network to have fun, learn and engage together. #CyberFest is free of charge to attend, with no limit on the number of registrations.
Cyber security is a major concern for everyone and should be considered as part of a wider resilience agenda for the region. Dynamo North East is a business lead organisation working to grow the tech economy across the region. CyberNorth, one of Dynamo’s clusters, recognised by DCMS and NCSC, covers all aspects of cyber resilience including those involved in commercial delivery, research and development, learning, regional resilience and users of technology.
All these events are published on
Cybersecurity Conferences Directory
TechDiaryNE
Cyber Security in a Rapidly Changing World
Another year of high profile cyber attacks but what really happened and how the human element can be your biggest issue.
This event is supported by our Flagship Partner 
Date and time: 7 September 2021 15:00 – 18:00
Location: Newcastle University or online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Introduction to (ISC)² – Scott Wakeling
What’s happening out there? – Freha Arshad, Senior Manager, Accenture Security
What happened at Newcastle University? – Mark Ferrar, CIO, Newcastle University and Jason Bain, CISO, Newcastle University
Managing security in zero trust networks – Sam Hehir, Lead Security Architect, DWP Digital
Using open source intelligence in cyber security – Craig Hays, Security Architect, Greencore
Communicating cyber safety – the importance of having a conversation with your people and how you can do it – Danielle Phillips – Founder and Director at InsideOut Consulting
The impact of remote working: threats, opportunities and solutions for your business – Chris Fraser – Managing Director at Aspire Technology Solutions
CAKE 41: #CyberFest – Innovating In Cyber Security Through Art
According to Christies, ‘Art and technology have a complex but meaningful history of working together and influencing one another’. Innovation in one often leads to innovation in the other. How can we develop this relationship further to enhance innovation, improve understanding and help communicate seemingly technical issues, such as cyber security, to a broader audience?
Date and time: 8 September 10:00 – 11:30
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to Creative Fuse North East – Mark Adamson, Project Director Creative Fuse North East
CyberNorth and #CyberFest, Why the arts and technology? – Phil Jackman – Dynamo North East
The Cyber Cage and Cyber Eyes Wide Open programme – Gill Hagan-Green, Research And Development Specialist at University of Sunderland and Lynne Hall, Institutional Lead, Creative Fuse
Beauty in cyber security solutions – Andi Pannell – Head of Cyber Security at Bottlepay
National Cyber Security Strategy and the North East
An event to look at the National Cyber Security Strategy, lessons from the 2016 strategy and plans for the 2021 National Cyber Strategy
Date and time: 9 September 10:00 – 11:00
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Lessons from the 2016 strategy and plans for the 2021 National Cyber Strategy – Theo Peterson – Head of Future Planning in the cyber strategy team in Cabinet Office
Make BSides Weird Again
BSides Newcastle is the weirdest InfoSec event out there. For our first event we held a 1 day event in a skate park and had a blast even though we were frozen. Last year we went virtual with a 2 day event with speakers from 4 continents. This year we go hybrid offering both the coverage of the virtual events and the opportunity for live events again.
This event is sponsored by 
Date and Time: 2 day event – 10th and 11th September
Location: The Catalyst Newcastle University and Online
Cyber Security and Fraud
Cyber security and fraud, what is happening, what you can do about it and the ethics of your action or inaction. Joint event NEFF and NIBE
Date and time: 16 September 10:00 – 13:00
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
The relationship between cyber security and fraud – Paddy O’Keefe Regional Economic Crime Coordination Centre – RECCC at NERSOU
The lawyer’s role in managing the aftermath of cyber security incidents – Jonny Gribben – Managing Associate and Peter Warcup Tech and Data Disputes Lawyer, Womble Bond Dickinson
Discussion – what more can the police, business and the public do to help each other, including audience Q&A – Sharon McDonald Professor of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and a Chartered Psychologist at Sunderland University and Dominic Button – PHD Student and Academic tutor at University of Sunderland.
Does a whistleblowing policy help cyber security and fraud prevention – Elizabeth Gardiner – Protect
Can you insure your way to good cyber security – Andy Parkin – Bollington
Discussion – The ethics of action or inaction, including audience Q&A – Caroline Theobald – NIBE
Where do we go from here? – Phil Jackman
Summary and close
Cyber Eyes Wide Open Presentation
Cyber Eyes Wide Open is an interdisciplinary project to explore how collaborations between art and technology can play a vital role in expanding public understanding of how the increasingly complex cyber threat can impact our lives. At this event we will present the works created through collaboration between art and industry.
Find out more about the Cyber Eyes Wide Open project here. The works will also be shown at the season finale on 30 Sept.
Date and time: 16 September 16:00 – 18:00
Location: Breeze Creatives, The Athenaeum Sunderland
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Introduction to Creative Fuse North East and Cyber Eyes Wide Open – Gill Hagan-Green, Research And Development Specialist at University of Sunderland and Lynne Hall, Institutional Lead, Creative Fuse
LINK TO CYBER EYES WIDE OPEN webpage
Building a Cyber Security Business
Building a cyber security business and the help available
Date and time: 21 September 15:30 – 18:00
Location: Workshop online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Workshop 1 – Raising finance – Jane Siddle, NEL
Workshop 2 – Finding the right people – Hannah Williams, Robinson Williams Recruitment
Workshop 3 – Trading abroad – Peter Thompson, Department for International Trade
Workshop 4 – Competitive tendering – Simon Hanson, NEPO
Summary and close – Phil Jackman
Cyber Security Across Manufacturing, Industry and Supply Chains
The use of technology is fundamental to the growth of the manufacturing and industrial sectors. But how do we make sure that the technologies are applied in a way that is secure, not only within the manufacturing process but across the whole supply chain?
Date and time: 22 Sept 12:00 – 14:30
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Welcome to Teesside University and Digital City – Lynsey Robinson – Director, DigitalCity at Teesside University
Make UK – Aaron Maran – Policy Manager at Make UK
Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre – Dr David Hughes – Associate Professor, Materials Engineering at Teesside University
Made Smarter Technology Accelerator – Dave Spencer – Growth Consultant Tees Valley Combined Authority
Security by design – David Johnson – Cyber Security Director, Communicate Technology Plc
Introduction to industrial systems security – Ben Caley – Business Development & Project Manager at Siemens Industrial Security Services
Cyber Security In The Gaming Industry – Callum Duncan – Managing Director, Sencode
A Region of Growing Cyber Security Innovation
The North East is home to innovative cyber security companies. In this event, hear from 3 of the newest companies around.
Date and time: 22 Sept 16:00 – 17:00
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
Hicomply is a software platform that gives you the tools to build your information security management system (ISMS) as well as protect your business data – Edwin Bartlett – CEO, HiComply
An ecosystem for collaboration hospitals and pharmaceutical companies on AI projects Igor Kotsiuba – CEO and Founder, Healthymity
MELCaaS monitors your networks, email and passwords for Cyber threats and vulnerabilities –
Eldon Jobe – Co-Founder and CCO, Mellius
Discussion about innovation in the region – Phil Jackman
Cyber Security Skills and Employment Opportunities
There are so many opportunities to work in cyber security across the region. In this event find out what is happening in the North East and nationally to help people choose cyber as a career.
Date and time: 23 September 21 16:00 to 18:00
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
CyberFirst – Philip Anderson, Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University
T-levels – Sam Ogle, Curriculum Manager – Digital at Sunderland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form at Sunderland College
What we have found from our work on cyber security skills – Phil Jackman – Dynamo North East
What is missing in cybersecurity education and what are the key skills needed for jobs going forward in Industry 4.0
Dr. Meera Sarma Cybersecurity Specialist and Director, Cystel and Dr. Thomas Matheus, Cyber Security and AI Researcher
Live Tour of Sunderland College – Sam Ogle
Summary and close – Phil Jackman – Dynamo North East
Cyber Security – It’s a Rural Issue as well
Cybersecurity – an issue without borders. An event aimed at SMEs on both sides of the borders to show that cybersecurity isn’t just a technical problem, but one that affects all businesses and should be thought of and managed as any other business risk.
Date and time: 28 September 16:00 to 17:30
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East, Ciara Mitchell – Head of Cyber at ScotlandIS, Cyber Cluster Manager
Staying safe needn’t cost a fortune – Lorraine McGill, Operations Director at Bowe Digital Ltd
Cyber is a rural issue – Angela Cox, Principal & CEO Borders College
Cyber Security – a Borders Viewpoint – Andrew Campbell, Information Security Assurance Consultant at Agenor Technology
Developing digital skills in a rural landscape’ – Sam Ogle, Curriculum Manager at Northumberland College
Panel discussion
Summary and close
Cyber Security for Children and Young People
With increasing numbers of children having their own online bank accounts (some linked to their parents accounts) there are some basic security issues that they, their parents or guardians should all be aware of. The rise of such threats as hacking social media accounts, blackmailing, revenge porn, in-game purchases and any number of issues from an increasing online presence, means that cyber hygiene for children and young people has never been a more important issue. This free event is supported by NIBE.
Date and time: 29 Sept 15:00 – 16:30
Location: Online
Confirmed speakers:
Welcome and introduction to CyberNorth – Phil Jackman, Dynamo North East
What are the issues facing children and young people online – Lucy Batley, Owner at Traction Industries and Jonny Green, Cyber Protect & Prepare Officer at North East Regional Special Operations Unit
Are children and young people particularly vulnerable to cyber threat – Mimi Theobald Aspiring Solicitor, Graduate of the University of St Andrews in International Relations
Children’s Code (Age Appropriate Design Code) – Alex Craig, Partner, Muckle LLP
Discussion – Can children and young people do more to help themselves? What is the role of big tech? Is the industry doing enough to protect vulnerable groups? – Speakers plus Dawn Dunn, Dynamo North East
Summary and close – Phil Jackman
Season Finale
Join us for the final event of this year’s #CyberFest to celebrate all that is great about the cyber security sector in the region. Let’s all get together with beer and pizza.
Date and time: 30 Sept 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Breeze Creatives, John Marley Centre, Denton, Newcastle
Confirmed speakers:
Scott Wakeling – Technology & Information Security Risk Manager at Atos International, IC3
Kimberley Hendry – Cyber Security Engineer, Purple Teamer, NE Ladies Hacking Society
Danny Wright -Senior Technical Account Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Jennifer Kilmartin – Head Of Information Security at Partnerize
Adam Pickering -Information Security Manager CGI
CGI’s Cyber Escape
Throughout #CyberFest 21, CGI’s Cyber Escape will be open to visit. The expereince provides security awareness training in a fun and memorable way for your employees to learn the basics of cyber security and help control risks within their organisation. It is also suitable for students and school children (year 6 upwards). The experience takes about an hour and must be booked in advance. It can accommodate upto 3 people or 4 pupils and a teacher.
This event supported by 
Date and time: From 20 September to 31 September 13:00 to 20:00
Location: Location Lifeboat Station, Blyth
To book a slot, contact phil.jackman@dynamonortheast.co.uk