News
Can you support a school assessment panel to recognise excellence in cyber education?
The next North East Assessment Panel is taking place on 11th February, at Sage, Cobalt Park Way, North Tyneside, 13:00 - 15:00, and we are calling on Cyber Ambassadors - ideally from industry - to support with this.
CyberFirst Girls Competition
Congratulations to the North East Top 10 teams in this year’s CyberFirst Girls Competition.
CyberFirst Student Leader
Nominate your school or college’s stand-out students that contribute to computing, tech & STEM and they could receive NCSC recognition as a CyberFirst Student Leader
North East CyberFirst Conference: A Resounding Success
The event brought together educators, teachers, and industry professionals for a day of interactive workshops, invaluable networking, and inspiring talks by expert keynotes.
Atom Bank – Cyber Heist Team Bonding
A big shout-out to Jess Nadin, Cyber Ambassador at Atom Bank, for organising a fantastic team day featuring the Year 12 version of Cyber Heist!
CyberFest 2025 – “Your Connected Community
What a day! This year’s CyberFest Community Conference brought together leaders, academics, business owners and students to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and collaborate on keeping the North East a safe and thriving digital region.
CyberFirst North East & RTC North Visits The Hg Foundation, London
Jamie Ollivere, Sally Wilkinson, and Sarah Zaman were honoured to represent RTC North at The Hg Foundation’s evening reception on October 9th at the Art Academy, London — joined by partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre.
CyberFirst North East Conference
Join us for a day filled with insightful sessions, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities at the CyberFirst North East Conference!
CyberNorth Awards 2025 – Winners Announced!
We’re celebrating the region’s top cyber talent!
Ladies Hacking Society Mentoring Programme
Applications are open for the inaugural Ladies Hacking Society Mentoring Programme, supported by Sage!
STEMFest North East 2025
Thousands of young minds were once again inspired at STEMFest North East this October!
University of Sunderland – Recruit New Talent Event
The Apprenticeships Team invites you to Recruit New Talent via Degree Apprenticeships, an event showcasing how employers can attract and develop future-ready teams.
Bigger and Bolder than Ever: CyberFest Returns for 2025
CyberNorth is proud to announce the highly anticipated return of CyberFest, the North East’s leading cyber security festival taking place throughout the month of October. A pivotal point of the month will be the CyberFest Community Conference, taking place on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at The Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Cyber Ambassador Breakfast at CyberFest
We would like to invite you to the CyberFirst Ambassador breakfast taking place as part of the CyberFest community conference on Tuesday 7 October.
CyberFirst Bursary Programme 2025 Now Open:
Whether you’re starting university this September, already studying, or know someone who is, CyberFirst is here to support undergraduates passionate about cyber security!
CyberFirst Cyber Escape Room: KS5 CTF: Student Self Registration LIVE!
We’re excited to launch an exclusive opportunity for CyberFirst Schools this November.
CyberFirst Horizons Programme – A resounding Success
The CyberFirst Horizons pilot programme, conducted in the North East during Summer 2025, was a fully funded, multi-phase initiative for 50 Year 12 & 13 students.
CyberFirst North East Conference
Welcome to the CyberFirst North East Conference! Join us at The Catalyst for a day filled with insightful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. This in-person event is a fantastic chance for educators, teachers, and industry professionals to come together and discuss how they can support CyberFirst secondary schools. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there's something here for everyone. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and grow in the world of cybersecurity!
Huge congratulations to the wonderful Sarah Zaman - Winner of Tech Women Award!
Sarah has dedicated her 25-year career to education and technology, with a particular focus on ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a digital world.
Calling All CyberFirst Ambassadors!
We need your support for Phase 2 of CyberFirst Horizons – Meet the Pros in Newcastle City Centre, taking place from 11th to 22nd August.
CyberNorth Powers Sector Growth with New Appointment
North East Cyber Cluster CyberNorth is celebrating a key moment of further staff expansion in their mission to supercharge the North East cyber security community with the appointment of Helen Matthews as Delivery Manager – Skills.
INDUSTRY NEWS FROM CYBERNORTH
CyberNorth were delighted to support the Northumbrian Water Young Citizens Work Experience Festival in July.
TechFirst Explorers at Kings Priory School
This month, we had the privilege of hosting the TechFirst Explorers event at Kings Priory School—an exciting day dedicated to Cyber Security and digital innovation!
Things to look out for and share with your network:
CyberFirst girls competition opens soon
CyberFirst bursary programme 2025 opens soon
CyberFirst Horizons Programme – Week One Success Report
The first week of the CyberFirst Horizons Programme was an outstanding success, providing students with invaluable experiences that went beyond technical learning.
A Celebration of Innovation and Community, TechNExt 2025: A Week of Innovation, Inclusion, and Inspiration
TechNExt 2025 brought the region alive with energy, insight, and innovation this June, and once again showcased why the North East is a force to be reckoned with in the tech and digital sectors.
CyberFirst Ambassadors
Don’t forget to log your activities using our simple online tracking sheet - every contribution counts!
CyberFirst Ambassadors: Leading the Charge at Horizons!
A huge Shoutout to Our Amazing CyberFirst Ambassadors!
CyberFirst at the Heart of STEMFest Bradford 2025
From 24–26 June, over 3,000 students attended STEMFest Bradford, stepping into a world of exploration across four themed zones: Space & Travel, Technology & Cyber, Sustainability & Well-being, and Manufacturing.
CyberNorth to Surge Forward with Sage Backing to Position the North East as a Vibrant Global Innovation Hub
North East Cyber Security Cluster organisation, CyberNorth, and Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) have today announced a pivotal partnership to spearhead and leverage the capabilities of the North East cyber security community.
INDUSTRY NEWS FROM CYBERNORTH
This month saw the inaugural CyberNorth Summer Social, we hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did!
STEM Awards - Nominations are open for the CyberFirst Ambassador Award!
The STEMHUB is thrilled to announce the STEM Awards on 14th Nov 2025.
Ambassador of the Month: Beckie McAnespie, Accenture
We’re thrilled to announce Beckie McAnespie from Accenture as this month’s Ambassador of the Month!
Calling All Cyber Ambassadors!
We have several exciting opportunities coming up where your support can make a huge impact.
Cyber Ambassadors Social: Pizza, Pints & Prosecco Catch-Up!
We’re cordially inviting you to our very first Cyber Ambassadors Social Night - an evening of pizza, pints, prosecco, and great company!
CyberFirst Awards 2025 – A Night to Remember!
We kicked off CYBERUK25 in style with a fantastic evening at the CyberFirst Awards 2025, held this year in Manchester.
CyberNorth Takes Flight to Dubai
CyberNorth joined over 25,000 cyber security professionals from more than 160 countries for GISEC Global this month, one of the largest and most important cyber security events in the world.
CyberSips Gateshead College– An Inspiring Look at the Future of Skills, AI & Society
We were very grateful to have joined a powerful morning of insight and reflection as we explored how AI, apprenticeships, and education are reshaping the future of work.
New Ambassador Monthly Drop-In Session – Come Say Hello!
The Cyber Ambassador Mission Continues
This month, our incredible Cyber Ambassadors have been out in full force - inspiring students, sharing insights, and helping shape the future of cyber talent.
Cyber Career Pathways: Your Future Starts Here
CyberFirst and Sheffield Hallam University have joined forces to host a “Cyber Career Pathways” event for Yorkshire and Humber schools and colleges.
Industry News
CyberNorth’s popular podcast ‘It’s Cyber Up North’ has returned with a host of industry experts. With funding from Innovate UK, CyberNorth's 'Influencing the Influencer' portal is now live and gaining huge attention throughout the North East.
Ambassador of the Month: David Grey of Sunderland University
We’re incredibly proud to announce David Grey as our Ambassador of the Month - a truly well-deserved recognition!
Calling All Cyber Ambassadors: Support Needed for Girls in Computing Event at Kings Priory School – June
Ben McIvor is seeking support from industry professionals for his annual Girls in Computing event at Kings Priory School this June (exact date tbc).
Cyber Ambassadors Social: Pizza, Pints & Prosecco Catch-Up!
We’re cordially inviting you to our very first Cyber Ambassadors Social Night — an evening of pizza, pints, prosecco, and great company!
CyberFirst Horizons: Almost Full!
With applications flooding in, only a handful of spots remain for this year’s CyberFirst Horizons programme!
CyberFirst North East Conference – Early Bird tickets now available!
Tickets to our annual conference are now available!
CYBERUK: The CyberFirst Awards Dinner 2025
The team is excited to be heading to Manchester for an evening of celebration at the CyberFirst Awards Dinner 2025, taking place during CYBERUK.
New Ambassador Monthly Drop-In Session – Come Say Hello!
Curious about becoming a CyberFirst Ambassador? We’ve set up a brand-new monthly drop-in session where you can find out what it’s all about!
School Engagement: Continuing to Inspire the Next Generation
This month, our incredible Cyber Ambassadors have been out in full force, inspiring students and sharing insights into the world of cyber.
7 New CyberFirst Accredited Schools/ Colleges
We are proud to announce that we have recently accredited 7 new schools / colleges in the North East!
CyberFirst Girls Competition Celebration Event: Inspiring the Next Generation
The CyberFirst Girls Competition Celebration Event on 11th March was a resounding success, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of young women exploring careers in Cyber Security.
CyberFirst Horizons – A Summer to Remember!
CyberFirst Horizons is taking shape, with an exciting lineup of contributors now confirmed. It’s set to be an unforgettable summer for our successful Year 12 applicants, offering them hands-on experience and valuable insights into the world of Cyber Security.
CyberWomen Durham – Celebrating Women in Cyber
We were thrilled to attend CyberWomen@Durham’s very first event – the Speaker Series, which showcased an inspiring lineup of women in Cyber Security!
GUTS Event: The CyberFirst North East Team Engages Students in Sheffield
The CyberFirst North East team participated in the Get Up To Speed with STEM (GUTS) Event in Sheffield, delivering our interactive activities Cyber Heist and Search the Bin.
Industry News March 2025
Influencing the Influencer portal is live
NCSC DSIT Eco Conference – A Huge Success!
A massive thank you to NCSC and DSIT for an incredible Eco Conference!
Cyber Ambassadors spotlight (Feb 2025)
Sarah Hibbert, Security Operations Centre (SOC) Manager at ITPS is our Cyber Ambassador of the month!
CyberFirst North East Team will be attending the 2025 Cyber Security Education Ecosystem Conference!
A two day conference (4th-5th March) uniting experts and practitioners from government, universities, schools and industry to explore the pressing challenges in cybersecurity.
Gateshead College Casual teacher opportunity, Digital
Gateshead College are looking for a passionate, self-motivated, enthusiastic individual to join their growing Digital Technologies team.
Industry News - influence the Influencer (Feb 2025)
Influence the Influencer: CyberNorth to Power Pathways for Girls to Access Cyber Security Careers
Trailblazers Day Kings Priory School
Last week, we hosted a CyberFirst Adventurers session at Kings Priory School!
Cyber Ambassador of the Month (Jan): Ian from PA Consulting
We’re thrilled to recognize Ian from PA Consulting as our Cyber Ambassador of the Month!
CyberFirst Girls Competition Celebration Event
The CyberFirst Girls Competition in the North East has concluded, and we’re excited to celebrate the achievements of our talented teams!
Industry News
Building on their first successful pilot, CyberNorth will be running the Innovation Centre programme throughout February and March in Newcastle.
Kickstart Your Career with Sage!
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your career with one of the most exciting companies in the North East.
CyberFirst Horizons: A Ground Breaking Initiative for the North East
This summer, CyberFirst Horizons is launching - an exclusive industrial placement programme for Year 12 students in the North East.
Merry Cyber Christmas & Happy New Year!
A very Merry Cyber Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at CyberFirst North East!
CyberNorth Industry News
All the latest news from our partners at CyberNorth
Celebrating Excellence: North East STEM Awards 2024
The prestigious North East STEM Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of STEM Ambassadors, organizations, and teachers who inspired countless young people and educators over the past year.
Cyber Ambassador Update
Don’t forget to log your activities on the STEM Ambassadors platform
Cyber Ambassadors: Spotlight of the Month
Our Cyber Ambassadors shone brightly at Sage’s Empower event!
Cyber Success: Reflecting on Connections, Innovation, and Impact
What a Year It’s Been! As 2024 comes to a close, we’re thrilled to reflect on an incredible year of achievements, collaborations, and milestones.
CyberFirst Regional Conference: A Huge Success
On 18th November, we hosted the CyberFirst Regional Conference at The Catalyst, Newcastle, bringing together 107 educators, industry professionals, and thought leaders for a day of expert insights, workshops, and networking.
STEMFest 2024: Inspiring the Next Generation
STEMFest is our vibrant, cost-free event coordinated by the STEM Hub and delivered by RTC North.
Bradford Trailblazers with our new Yorkshire & Humber CyberFirst Schools
e will be debuting our CyberFirst Trailblazers event with our newly incorporated CyberFirst School in Bradford.
A Busy Month of Events
The team have been out and about this month, spreading the word far and wide about the wonderful CyberFirst program, networking and recruiting Cyber Ambassadors.
CyberNorth News: A report from the Annual Cyber Intelligence Alliance and CyberWhite Event
CyberNorth News: A report from the annual Cyber Intelligence Alliance and CyberWhite event by Andrew Pounder
The National Cyber Awards 2024
We're thrilled to announce that Kings Priory School, one of our CyberFirst Gold Schools, were presented with the Cyber School of the Year award at the National Cyber Awards 2024!
CyberFirst Awards presented to our latest Schools
On Friday 19th July Claire Willis & Josh Minto visted three of our recently approved CyberFirst schools.