Empowering SMEs Through Cybersecurity Innovation: Insights from the Innovate UK Cyber Event

Empowering SMEs Through Cybersecurity Innovation: Insights from the Innovate UK funded Cyber Event

In today’s interconnected digital world, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it's a necessity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to safeguard their operations, build trust with customers, and future-proof their businesses. Recognising this urgent need, the Innovate UK project, supported by the UK government’s innovation arm, has been leading the charge in empowering SMEs across the Black Country to embrace innovation and strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks and hygiene.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Innovate UK funded a dynamic cybersecurity webinar in collaboration with Halesowen College and City of Wolverhampton College. The event served as a crucial platform to provide SMEs with practical advice, expert insights, and actionable strategies to enhance their cyber resilience and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Driving Innovation Through Collaboration

The Black Country Innovation Services, working through Innovate UK and local further education (FE) colleges, has been instrumental in driving this transformation. By leveraging the Digital Innovation Hub at City of Wolverhampton College and the cutting-edge expertise of Halesowen College, SMEs are gaining access to the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity threats.

As Harold, Innovate UK Project manager, highlights: "Black Country Innovation Services, in partnership with Innovate UK, is leveraging the expertise of FE colleges to drive digital transformation and cybersecurity innovation for SMEs. This collaboration ensures that businesses in our region are equipped with cutting-edge solutions and skilled talent to thrive in an ever-evolving digital economy."

Key Highlights from the Cybersecurity Event

The webinar brought together leading industry experts, sparking important discussions on cybersecurity’s evolving challenges and opportunities for SMEs. Topics ranged from integrating #artificial #intelligence into #cyber #defense to the critical role of #compliance and workforce #upskilling. Key sessions included:

• "Getting Cyber on Board" by Oliver Hayward (Intercity): Focused on ensuring organisational leadership takes ownership of cybersecurity as a core business strategy.
• "The Use of AI to Protect SMEs" by Faizel Shabeer (EC-Council): Explored how #AI-driven solutions enable SMEs to proactively detect and respond to cyber threats.

• "Cybersecurity Compliance Countdown 2025" by Zeshan Sattar (CompTIA): Provided insights into the regulatory landscape and steps to meet compliance requirements ahead of deadlines.

• "Cyber Skills: Keeping Up with a Constantly Evolving Cybersecurity Landscape" by Elizabeth Barr (Cisco Networking Academy UK): Addressed the critical need for continuous training and upskilling in cybersecurity to close the skills gap.

• "Protecting Your Online Business with Insurance" by John and Sarah Giles (MD, Newstead Insurance Brokers): Highlighted how cyber insurance can safeguard SMEs from financial risks associated with breaches.

• "From Compliance to Confidence: Cybersecurity Policies & Best Practices" by Mushahid Alam (CyberSec Consulting): Delivered a roadmap for building resilient cybersecurity frameworks within SMEs.

Inspiring Leaders of Change

Dr. Sage Lal, CEO of ThirdWaveICT and Innovate Consultant, emphasised the critical role cybersecurity plays in business sustainability: "Cybersecurity is not just about protecting data; it's about securing the trust and future of your business. SMEs must embrace innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning to stay ahead of evolving threats."

The Role of City of Wolverhampton College’s Digital Innovation Hub

At the heart of these efforts is the Digital Innovation Hub at City of Wolverhampton College. The Hub provides SMEs with access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance to help businesses:

• Build robust cybersecurity policies.
• Drive digital innovation through tailored support.
• Navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance and risk management.

Explore more about the Digital Innovation Hub here. contact [email protected]

A Collaborative Effort for Regional Growth

The success of the webinar was a testament to the power of partnerships. Halesowen College and City of Wolverhampton College worked together to deliver a seamless event, showcasing their shared dedication to uplifting SMEs across the Black Country. Their collaboration not only provided actionable knowledge but also inspired attendees to take proactive steps in securing their businesses.

Richard Johnson, Innovate Consultant from Halesowen College, underscored the importance of collaboration: "In a rapidly evolving digital world, SMEs must see cybersecurity as an enabler of growth, not just a defensive measure. Collaboration and innovation are the keys to building resilience and unlocking future opportunities."

Both colleges have gained prestigious CISCO Academy and EC-Council Academy status; thanks to the support of Open Univeristy's Andrew Smith, Cisco Academy Lead, Elizabeth Barr and EC-Coucil Melanie Smith.

Please note we are offering Free of charge the following courses to anyone who wishes to learn... Limited time only thanks to ThirdWaveICT and IBM and CISCO.

INNOVATE UK - Introduction to Cybersecurity

https://www.netacad.com/courses/introduction-to-cybersecurity?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=53439034-cfbd-4f07-8cf9-16702894c943

AI Fundamentals with IBM SkillsBuild - INNOVATE UK

https://www.netacad.com/courses/ai-ibm-skillsbuild?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=2700ce7c-d59f-4902-b977-1e7865aac8fe

INNOVATE UK Introduction to IoT and Digital Transformation

https://www.netacad.com/courses/introduction-iot?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=c7b9fc58-c495-4727-b13e-d715a12da462

INNOVATE UK Data Analytics Essentials

https://www.netacad.com/courses/data-analytics-essentials?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=41d6eccd-34fd-4eea-bffa-e06a815a832e

INNOVATE UK Discovering Entrepreneurship

https://www.netacad.com/courses/discovering-entrepreneurship?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=85626839-3bcb-46a2-aeea-0a00961e6ce8

Python Introduction

https://www.netacad.com/courses/python-essentials-1?courseLang=en-US&instance_id=e35a7250-c9b9-4c3f-8f28-091d80697e15

"Achieving prestigious CISCO Academy and EC-Council Academy status is a game-changer for our students, staff, and local employers. It not only equips our learners with globally recognized certifications but also ensures that businesses in our region have access to a highly skilled talent pool. This milestone, strengthens our ability to drive innovation and bridge the skills gap in the cybersecurity and IT sectors." Pali Kaur Head of Computing and Business City of Wolverhampton College.

Why This Matters for SMEs

With SMEs making up the backbone of the UK economy, equipping them with the right tools and knowledge is essential for long-term resilience and success. The statistics are clear: SMEs account for 43% of cyberattacks, yet many are underprepared. Innovate UK’s initiative and partnerships with FE colleges are filling this critical gap, offering resources, education, and support to help businesses thrive.

As Dr. Sage Lal aptly stated, “Cybersecurity is about securing the trust and future of your business.” This means adopting innovative technologies, staying ahead of compliance deadlines, and investing in employee training to build a culture of cyber resilience.

Final Thoughts

The Innovate UK webinar was more than just an event—it was a call to action for SMEs to prioritise cybersecurity and embrace digital innovation. Whether it’s leveraging #AI, enhancing workforce #skills, or tapping into resources like the #Digital #Innovation #Hub, the tools for success are within reach.

If you missed the webinar, keep an eye out for shared resources and recordings. Take the first step today toward securing your business’s digital future. Together, through collaboration and innovation, we can build a resilient and prosperous SME community in the Black Country and beyond.

Video links coming soon...

What steps are you taking to secure your business against cyber threats? Let’s discuss in the comments.

#CyberSecurity #SMEs #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #CityofWolverhamptonCollege #HalesowenCollege #Collaboration #InnovateUK ThirdWaveICT , 思科 , EC-Council CompTIA , Intercity , CyberSec Consulting , Aviva Brown & Brown (Previously Newstead Insurance Brokers)