Scotland’s cybersecurity community celebrated last night as the 2026 edition  – the year of “wicked messes” – of the annual Scottish Cyber Awards recognised the achievements of individuals, organisations and academics from across the industry.

Run by DIGIT and hosted by BBC Scotland broadcaster Mark Stephens, the awards took place at the EICC in Edinburgh and saw the 14 coveted prizes given to winners from across the cybersecurity sector.

Acumen Cyber was crowned Cybersecurity Company of the Year, sponsored by Be-IT.

Emerging players in the sector were also recognised, with Infrawatch taking home the Start Up of the Year award.

The awards also acknowledged promising rising talent in the industry, honouring not only cybersecurity student Aimie Grant from Edinburgh Napier University, but also Hyndland Secondary School, in the first award for Cyber School of the Year ever awarded at the event.

There was also recognition for immense contributions to the industry and dedication to building cyber resilience in Scotland, with Forrit taking home the coveted Cyber Resilience Award, and KidsnClicks earning the Best Security Awareness Campaign award.

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As well as recognising both individual and collective contributions to the cybersecurity sector this year, the event served as an opportunity for figures across the industry to unite, network and celebrate their successes.

Ray Bugg, director of DIGIT, said: “Cybersecurity is a tough profession, one that constantly challenges us, pushes our limits, and tests our resilience – which is why community and collaboration matter so much in this field. We can’t do this job in isolation, and I really want everyone to embrace that spirit this evening.

“It was incredibly difficult to whittle down winners from such an esteemed group of finalists.

“It’s about celebrating achievement, championing each other’s successes, and moving forward as a collective.”

Full List of Winners

Cyber Start Up Award: Infrawatch

Cyber Culture Award: Lindsay McDade, Fearless, part of Crimestoppers

Cyber School of the Year: Hyndland Secondary School

Cyber Security Student of the Year: Aimie Grant, Edinburgh Napier University

Cyber Resilience Award: Forrit

Best Security Awareness Campaign: KidsnClicks

Cyber Innovation Award: Cisco & Cylera

Public Sector Impact Award: Lindsay McDade, Fearless (In Association with Police Scotland and The Scottish Government)

Diversity in Cyber Award: Parven Kaur, KidsnClicks

Evangelist of the Year: Annabel Turner, Cybersafe Scotland

Financial Services Impact Award: NatWest

Cyber Leader of the Year: Steven Faull, Allied Vehicles

Cyber Company of the Year: Acumen Cyber

Special Recognition Award: Dr Natalie Coull, Abertay University

Image credit: Nicola Kenny