EDINBURGH firms had great success at the country’s largest ever awards ceremony to recognise innovators, pioneers and leaders in the cyber security sector.
A strong theme of developing talent shone through at the Scottish Cyber Awards, with many of the winners comprising students, academics and university teams – including big wins for Edinburgh Napier University at the sold-out event at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand Hotel.
Best Cyber Start-Up was won by Cyan Forensics, with the award for Best Cyber Breakthrough going to Quorum Cyber. Harry McLaren from ECS Security took the accolade for Cyber Evangelist of the Year and Best New Cyber Talent went to Peter Aaby of Edinburgh Napier University.
The hugely successful Scottish Cyber Awards, hosted by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is now in its third year and the night attracted more than 340 of the sector’s leaders across business, law-enforcement and academia.
Ian Stevenson, Chief Executive of Cyan Forensics said: “We’re only two years old as a company so it’s really exciting to be recognised with this award.
It’s such an exciting time for the Cyber Community in Scotland and it’s great to be a part of the story.”
Peter Aaby, PhD cyber security researcher from Edinburgh Napier University said: “I’m really happy to be here to accept this award, which showcases the support of everyone around me.
“In particular, I’d like to thank Bill Buchanan and Sally Smith for all of the opportunities and trust along the way. The cyber security community in general around Edinburgh is just fantastic.”
Harry McLaren, Managing Consultant at ECS Security said: “Fundamentally, being an evangelist is about building up our community.
“I think anyone who will have been nominated in this category will agree that it’s all about bringing us together from across each sector, which we’re fortunately able to do in Scotland because of our close relationships to each other.
“I’m just grateful to be part of something like the Scottish cyber community.”
The ultimate Champion of Champions was won by Cyber Christmas Lectures, a volunteer-run programme founded in 2012 that will this year see the team visit six locations across Scotland talking to more than 2500 pupils and teachers.
The prestigious Outstanding Woman in Cyber was awarded to three pupils at St Kentigern’s Academy in West Lothian. Catherine Fitzsimons, Amina Tahir and Rachel Cooper, who comprise Turing’s Testers have recently set up a nationwide cyber treasure hunt to engage more schoolgirls with data science.
The sector was also celebrating the recent confirmation of the creation of a ground-breaking £11.7million cyber security hub in Dundee – part of the Tay Cities Deal signed last week and a project that will be a further boost for jobs and academic innovation.
Speaking on the night, Mandy Haeburn-Little, Chief Executive of the SBRC, said: “What a real game changer Scotland is becoming in cyber security. The calibre and ambition shown in these awards confirms categorically that Scotland is on the map of cyber security.
“This year has been one of phenomenal growth and has included everything from the launch of the Scottish Government’s Cyber Resilience Strategy Action Plans, to an incremental rise in the value and growth of new tech businesses and start-ups through to the announcement of the Tay City Cyber Quarter deal announced just last Friday valued at £11.7 million for Scotland.
“Scotland really does have the potential to become a global leader for cyber security and so much of that is thanks to the talent in the room tonight.
“What is needed is vision, a commitment to excellence and ultimately passion. Whether that be the teacher inspiring the student or the business leader fostering innovation with their team.
“That is what tonight is all about. It is a huge thank you to those people bringing such positivity and creating excitement and hope for the future.”
Other winners included the first ever award voted for by the public, Best Customer Experience, which was won by Seric Systems.
Also celebrating were; ID Cyber Solutions (Collaboration with Police Scotland), CyberShell Solutions (Leading Light Innovation) and Police Scotland Cybercrime Prevention Team (Outstanding Cyber Team joint winners alongside St Andrews University IT Security Team).
The awards have also been backed by global sponsors, with this year’s headline support from CGI, alongside other key partners, Clydesdale Bank, Symantec, Accenture and Trend Micro.
Richard Holmes, Vice President Cyber Security Services for CGI and Scottish Cyber Awards judge, said: “It was an excellent evening which celebrated the hard work and expertise of both individuals and organisations. I thoroughly enjoyed the judging process and seeing the diversity of entries.
“As an organisation where cyber security is a part of everything we do, CGI was delighted to be able to support this year’s event.”
The Scottish Cyber Awards was held on Wednesday 28 November at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh.
For more information on the Scottish Cyber Awards 2018 visit www.scottishcyberawards.co.uk
