Cybersecurity was a key topic during the inaugural DIGIT Expo at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) yesterday, with a particular focus on building bridges and cultivating a strong community in Scotland’s ecosystem. 

The event attracted technologists, academics and delegates from a broad range of backgrounds and industry sectors, and in Stream 2 at the event there were some engaging discussions and presentations focusing on the development of this community.  

Central to this stream were a number of key themes – with diversity, inclusion and community outreach all identified as areas that may require attention if Scotland is to develop a reputation as a cybersecurity hub.

Strong Interest 

Scotland has a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem, with some companies having spun out of the nation’s innovative university’s – highlighting the strength of this sector.  

Consistently throughout the day Stream 2 attracted large audiences, with the EICC’s Lowther room at capacity throughout the day. Theo Priestley, chair at DIGIT Expo and Tech Evangelist, said that the interest in these talks showcased both the quality of discussion and interest in cybersecurity in Scotland.  

He said: “For the last talk of the day to be packed and the audience highly engaged means people want to know how to deal with cyber threats effectively.”

Dark Trace’s Bea Gully led delegates through the perilous waters of modern cyber threats, showcasing some of the innovative methods through which Darktrace is able to mitigate and tackle threats in a dangerous era.

Companies are no longer content with playing catch-up to threats and are increasingly turning to new preventative measures and techniques. In a world where GDPR has raised the stakes for companies handling data, taking chances is simply not an option.

Similarly, Ian Thornton-Trump, Head of Cyber Security at AmTrust Insurance, emphasised the importance of organisational fluidity in regards to data security.

“If you’re always restoring capability to your organisation you’re losing time,” he explained – placing an emphasis and solid focus on basic security measures are an integral aspect of planning in a GDPR era.

A Welcoming Environment 

In the first panel discussion of the day, some of Scotland’s most prominent cybersecurity figures explored how the community can help improve collaboration and communication across industry borders.  

The Cyber Connect Scotland panel was hosted by Stu Hirst and Harry McLaren, who have recently launched an initiative to develop a comprehensive ‘mindmap’ of the cybersecurity ecosystem in Scotland. 

The panel itself reflected the strength of the industry in Scotland – featuring education, private and public sector figures such as Chelsea Jarvie (Scottish Government), Maggie de Jager (EasyJet), Jamie O’Hare (ENUSEC) and Jamie Graves, Founder of ZoneFox.  

A key focus of the panel discussion was inclusion and community. While there are a number of meetups and events scattered throughout Scotland, the panellists conceded that for those outwith the sector, or perhaps new to the community, engaging and connecting with people can be difficult.  

In order to cultivate a welcoming environment, Hirst said: “We need to look at other mechanisms of connecting and engaging people.

“Slack or online community apps,” he explained, could be critical to this – enabling people to interact in a casual environment that puts them at ease and builds confidence.  

Similarly, Maggie de Jager underlined the importance of meetups and events that bring together experienced industry figures and new-comers.  

She said: “Regardless of your skill set or experience, attending meetups and events is key to drawing from and engaging with different communities.”

Cross-Sector Collaboration 

A key challenge for the cybersecurity community in years to come will undoubtedly be collaboration and communication between sectors.  

The public sector, private sector and academia must work together to cultivate a resilient and diverse ecosystem, the panellists agreed.  

Chelsea Jarvie, Head of Security and Risk Assessment at the Scottish Government, welcomes and encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors, asserting that both have their own particular skills that can drive innovation.  

“We need to bring the private and public sector together more,” she said. “With the work we’re currently doing we look at what other public sector organisations are doing and how we can learn from that. 

“However, there’s a lot of talent and expertise in the private sector than we can tap into or use as a source of contacts.” 

Long-term, Jarvie explained, this cooperation could help protect Scotland’s critical infrastructure. During a time in which state-sponsored cyber attacks are a growing threat, ensuring that all sectors are on the same page is imperative.  

Similarly, O’Hare noted that close ties between industry and academia enables companies to capitalise on Scotland’s talent pool while offering people in education an opportunity to engage with others and broaden horizons.  

While students have traditionally attended events within their own spheres, by drawing in a broader patchwork of people from different backgrounds will not only help boost diversity but also help improve communication between sectors.