Golden Valley is a once in a lifetime project, positioned at the core of the UK’s National Cyber Strategy. It is set to become an extraordinary hub of innovation, fostering collaboration among local start ups, UK scale ups, and global tech giants.
When complete, this development will be more than ten times the size of Europe’s largest tech campus, playing a pivotal role in realising the UK’s ambition to be a leading science and technology superpower by 2030. HBD is bringing this vision to life in partnership with key local and national stakeholders, creating a unique centre for Cheltenham’s growing cyber, digital, and creative sectors. At its heart lies the 160,000sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre – a building designed to meet the highest environmental and sustainability standards.
To achieve this, HBD is collaborating with outstanding local organisations, including CyNam, a community interest company which enables the growth and development of people and organisations within Cheltenham’s flourishing cyber technology ecosystem.. In this article, Hollie Wakefield, General Manager at CyNam, shares more about the organisation and its objectives.
Cybersecurity is a pressing issue, not only for the UK but globally. This is why we’re fully committed to developing Golden Valley and creating an ecosystem that generates jobs and attracts top-tier cyber talent to Cheltenham.
According to the UK government’s 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, nearly 39% of UK businesses experienced a cyber attack in the past year, with ransomware, supply chain vulnerabilities, and data breaches remaining critical issues.
Emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI introduce additional complexities. AI driven “deepfake” scams, for example, have targeted UK businesses with sophisticated social engineering attacks. In 2019, a UK energy firm’s CEO was tricked into transferring £200,000 after scammers used AI to mimic the voice of the company’s German CEO, showing how AI can be weaponised for high level deception.
Futureproofing UK business
CyNam addresses these challenges by equipping local businesses with cybersecurity resources and insights while creating a vibrant community where people from diverse backgrounds can innovate together. Our mission to connect people around technology brings together start ups, investors, government, academia, and industry, fostering collaborations that address major security challenges and strengthen resilience through a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Cybersecurity is so much more than protecting data and systems; for our team it’s about nurturing a culture of resilience, innovation, and proactive risk management across all sectors. In today’s interconnected digital landscape, businesses face constant, evolving cyber threats that demand a collaborative approach.
Our work with Golden Valley aims to build a secure innovation ecosystem where start ups, industry, investors, academia, and the public sector can access leading resources, share knowledge, and innovate together. This cross-sector network is vital to making security a shared responsibility, empowering Cheltenham’s businesses to thrive.
Cheltenham as the UK’s cyber capital
Cheltenham, known as the UK’s cyber capital, is uniquely positioned as a central hub for cyber expertise, supported by its proximity to GCHQ, the largest concentration of cyber businesses outside London, and a supportive local government.
Golden Valley will provide an exceptional space for innovation, and CyNam’s role within this ecosystem is to nurtuer an inclusive community where newcomers can flourish, experienced professionals can advance, and new ideas can thrive.
Our visiOn is to create an inclusive entrepreneurial community where people from all backgrounds; start ups, investors, government, industry, and academia can collaborate to tackle critical security challenges, bringing together diverse perspectives, sparking the development of innovative security solutions that address both current and emerging threats.
A collective effort
As we move further into the digital age, it’s essential that our new community at Golden Valley, along with our entire network, unites in a collective effort; each individual has a role in ensuring digital safety.
We are on the cusp of something remarkable, and now is the perfect time for more people to join our industry and contribute to this cause. For those considering a career in cybersecurity, Cheltenham offers unrivalled opportunities. CyNam encourages aspiring professionals to attend local events, network, and learn from a dynamic community of experts. The cyber landscape is ever evolving, and Cheltenham is an outstanding place to start a meaningful and impactful career in cybersecurity.