Scotland encouraged to take part in Cyber Awards

People from Edinburgh working to better the country’s approach to cyber security are being urged to apply to the Scottish Cyber Awards – with the application deadline looming. To reflect the indiscriminate and nationwide cyber threat, it is being hoped that the awards – now in their third year – will be the biggest and most diverse to date. 

The annual event was created to encourage those working within this critical field – whether in education, business, policy or crime-prevention, to come together and celebrate achievements. 

Hosted by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) the popular event now receives the global backing from sponsors such as CGI, Clydesdale Bank, Symantec, Accenture and TrendMicro. 

Mandy Haeburn-Little, Chief Executive of the SBRC, said: “The one thing to bear in mind is that genuinely anyone with a cyber interest in their business can win in these awards. That’s a really big deal.

“At a time when the news often covers all the negative outcomes of cyber attacks, it is easy to overlook the great work that Scotland as a cyber community is doing to protect businesses and citizens. There is amazing prevention work ongoing in Scotland from small and innovative tech start-ups to really great defences being created by larger companies.

“When you reflect on last year, the champions selected from all the entrants – the winners selected to be the absolute champions were schoolgirls – and for me that is a really important message.

“The Judges are really interested in seeing the new, the different, the innovative and above all, the daring. So, those individuals who have thought through how to protect others.”

Categories include Cyber Security Teacher of the Year, Leading Light Innovation, and Collaboration with Police Scotland Award. 

Nominations close on 7th September and winners will be decided by an expert panel of cyber specialists from across a number of sectors and will receive one of the specially designed awards. 

For the first time ever, an award will be judged by the public – with Best Customer Experience opening to a vote once the shortlist has been announced. 

Steve Smart, Senior Vice President at CGI UK, said: “We are delighted to support these awards which reward and recognise excellence in combatting the ongoing cyber threat. We very much look forward to joining with winners, nominees and experts to celebrate achievements across the breadth of categories.” 

The award categories also include: Best New Cyber Talent; Outstanding Woman in Cyber; Cyber Evangelist of the Year; Outstanding Cyber Team; Best Cyber Education Programme; and Best Cyber Breakthrough.    

The Scottish Cyber Awards will be held on Wednesday 28th November at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh. 

For more information on the Scottish Cyber Awards 2018 visit 

www.scottishcyberawards.co.uk where you can find full details, sponsors, buy tickets and apply.

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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer