Tim Parker, cybersecurity expert, PA Consulting

Muhammad Yahya Patel, Lead SE & Evangelist, Office of the CTO at Check Point

Andrus Kivisaar, CEO of CybExer, said the Dorset Innovation Park provides an‘ ideal environment’ to collaborate with industry leaders, government agencies and defence organisations to advance national cybersecurity preparedness’.

The new UK office, located at Dorset Innovation Park will serve as a central hub for CybExer’ s activities in the region, fostering collaboration with partners and facilitating the deployment of its state-of-the-art Cyber Range technology. The move aligns with CybExer’ s ongoing commitment to equipping organisations with the tools and training necessary to defend against the evolving cyberthreat landscape.

This investment – outside of London and the M25 corridor – is not an isolated case. More and more frequently, we are seeing cybersecurity‘ hubs’ and innovation centres featuring in other regional locations across the UK.

From Herefordshire to Leeds, Belfast to Powys, there are numerous examples of such initiatives, each one playing a crucial role in national defence while also providing local jobs and economic benefits to regional areas.

Dan Kitchen, CEO of IT Managed Services, Cloud, Connectivity and ERP solutions provider razorblue, highlighted how Manchester has established itself as a leading cybersecurity hub outside of London, playing a crucial role in the UK’ s digital defence.

“ Its strong tech ecosystem, skilled workforce and continued investment in innovation make it a go-to location for businesses strengthening their cyberresilience,” he said.

“ A key driver of this growth is Manchester’ s well-established tech infrastructure. With major innovation centres, research institutions and the presence of GCHQ, which has attracted significant public and private sector investment.

“ This is boosting the wider North West economy – creating high-value jobs, increasing investment and expanding the tech ecosystem. The rising demand for cybersecurity expertise is driving further collaboration and innovation.”

He added that Manchester’ s role as a tech hub also decentralises the cybersecurity sector, ensuring businesses across the UK – not just in London – have access to top-tier solutions, strengthening both regional economies and national cyber-resilience.

“ At razorblue, we see this first-hand. More North West businesses are prioritising cybersecurity, and as threats grow more sophisticated, continued investment in cyber innovation is crucial to staying ahead and keeping businesses secure.”

Tim Parker, cybersecurity expert, PA Consulting, said that cybersecurity hubs and clusters have tended to form either because of a gathering of like-minded businesses in a small area like a technology park, or as a result of the demand for a like-minded community within a region.

These hubs often act as the local enablers for national initiatives, such as CyberFirst, utilising local knowledge and connections to deliver outreach into their communities.

“ Hubs and clusters raise awareness of and collaborate with SMEs on grant initiatives,

70 WWW. INTELLIGENTCISO. COM