A special event aimed at industry leaders will investigate how organisations and individuals can protect against cyber threats and ensure their workforce is equipped to deal with escalating and constantly evolving challenges.

The Lancaster University Cyber Security Leadership Symposium 2022 will see the institution team up with Templar Executives, a market-leading cyber security consultancy, to explore what it means to be a global leader in protecting against cyber-crime.

The event will feature some of the UK’s leading experts and advocates from government, corporate and academic fields – who will provide insights into real-world challenges and how to mitigate against cyber threats and criminal activity, which currently costs the UK an estimated £27bn a year.

Dr Daniel Prince, Senior Lecturer in Security and Protection Science at Lancaster University, said: “Cyber security is not just a technical issue, it should be embedded across an organisation’s culture and processes. Leaders in this area are essential to help ensure individuals, companies and society are safe and protected in the digital age.

“The Cyber Security Leadership Symposium brings together highly-regarded cyber leaders and practitioners to share their experiences and knowledge with the community, including those aspiring to be leaders in cyber security.”

This free two-day event will take place on Tuesday 5 July and Wednesday 6 July at Lancaster University’s Bailrigg Campus. The Symposium will provide fascinating insights for senior leaders hosted at one of the UK's leading higher education institutions for cyber security and data analysis. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your organisation's security posture and access information on workforce upskilling, including details of Lancaster’s new part-time Cyber Security Executive MBA programme, in partnership with Templar Executives.

Andrew Fitzmaurice, CEO of Templar Executives, said: “This Cyber Security Leadership Symposium and the new Cyber Executive MBA is aimed at senior executives from all backgrounds and industry sectors to help ensure their cyber security posture provides a competitive advantage to their organisation in response to cyber threats from both home and abroad.

“We are delighted with the interest and support for the Cyber Leadership Symposium which also heralds the announcement of the ‘challenge-led’ Cyber Executive MBA. It is exciting to have Lancaster University, one of the foremost cyber security universities in the UK, and Templar Executives, with its international leadership in cyber security, combining their knowledge and skills to produce an innovative programme developed specifically for senior executives across government and industry.”

The Symposium will showcase an exciting partnership which combines the expertise of Lancaster University and Templar Executives, and which focuses on making cyber security an integral part of the business agenda for all senior executives and leaders.

This timely event comes as Lancashire prepares for the £5bn economic boost the county will receive after it was announced as the location of the new National Cyber Force (NCF) headquarters. The NCF announcement will help create a new North West cyber corridor from Manchester, where the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is located, to Lancaster - and beyond.

For more information and to sign up go to https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/cyber-security-education/cyber-security-leadership-2022/