We are thrilled to announce that the North East Business Resilience Centre has been named as finalists in several categories in the prestigious and global Cyber OSPAs!
The awards were launched in 2021 to recognise and reward companies, teams, individuals, products and initiatives across the cyber security industry. The Cyber OSPAs are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers, whether buyers or suppliers, to be recognised and their success to be celebrated.
We have been nominated as finalists in the Outstanding Police/Law Enforcement Initiative for our ground-breaking match funding partnership with the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner to protect educational institutions against cyber-attacks.
Additionally, two of our students from Northumbria University Cosmin Bianu and Jack Gooday have been named as finalists in the Outstanding Young Cyber Security Professional category. The two ethical hackers represented the NEBRC whilst working alongside Framwellgate School Durham who suffered a data breach last September after hackers stole 40GB of their sensitive data.
Finalists now go forward to the next phase of the competition, and winners will be revealed at the Big SASIG conference dinner taking place on Tuesday 23rd April in Central London.
Congratulating the team, the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I am so proud of Cosmin and Jack and the wider NEBRC team for this fantastic achievement. This project aims to prevent online fraud and cybercrime so educational providers do not suffer the disruption, cost and stress of an attack. It was remarkable to see Jack and Cosmin’s knowledge and skills working their magic in a real-life situation at Framwellgate School, which quickly prevented a serious data breach from escalating. They absolutely deserve to be shortlisted for this award and I wish them the very best in the final.
“Our collaboration with NEBRC demonstrates partnership working at its best and shows what can be achieved when like-minded organisations direct energy towards the same goals. Thanks to this project, educational providers across County Durham now have a lifeline to ensure their networks and cyber security are up to scratch. I will continue to play my part by investing vital funding to increase our capabilities further so we can tackle the cyberthreat head on.”
NEBRC’s Award Winning CEO Rebecca Chapman comments: “ I’m absolutely thrilled to make the Cyber OSPA final this year with both the initiative and the students. They all represent why we set the centre up in the first place and what makes it so successful in our region. Whatever the outcome we are very proud of our students from Northumbria Uni and of our partnership with Commissioner Allen. I wish all the finalists good luck and am looking forward to the event.
Wendy Pattison, Academy Business Director for Framwellgate School Durham said: “I’m thrilled that this initiative is being recognised and that we are through to the final of the Cyber OSPAs, along with the ethical hackers from NEBRC who helped through their response to secure our network. This is a thoroughly deserved recognition for the NEBRC and their amazing students. Good luck to all the finalists!”
You can view the awards and other finalists for the Cyber OSPAs here, we would also like to congratulate Neil Peacock from our Cyber Experts Panel, Lloyds Banking Group and the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group for being named as finalists – best of luck to everyone!