{"id":294,"date":"2024-03-18T14:11:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T14:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/cyber-institute-news\/?p=294"},"modified":"2024-05-19T15:15:06","modified_gmt":"2024-05-19T14:15:06","slug":"icss-hosts-kmcc-launch-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/cyber-institute-news\/2024\/03\/18\/icss-hosts-kmcc-launch-event\/","title":{"rendered":"iCSS hosts launch event of KMCC (Kent & Medway Cyber Cluster)"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the 14th February, the 2024 Valentine\u2019s Day, iCSS hosts the official launch event of the Kent & Medway Cyber Cluster (KMCC)<\/strong><\/a> at the University of Kent in Canterbury. KMCC is the local cyber security cluster officially recognised by the UKC3 (UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration)<\/a>, the\u00a0DSIT<\/a>-funded national body coordinating and supporting all local cyber security clusters. The launch event has the theme of “How to Fall in Love with Cyber Security<\/strong>” and aims to encourage more local people and organisations to develop interest and awareness in cyber security while providing clear insights into cyber security career opportunities and also to online threats such as cyber fraud.<\/p>\n

The event, which saw a packed venue, proved to be a melting pot of ideas and expertise. Participants were offered a diverse program including presentations, panel discussions, and networking sessions. An array of industry experts, university students, employers, recruiters, and researchers attended.<\/p>\n

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The launch event commenced with a warm welcome from\u00a0Clare Patterson<\/a>, Director and CFO of KMCC who is also a PhD student at iCSS. Clare outlined KMCC\u2019s aims and its role within the broader landscape of cyber security initiatives in the UK.<\/p>\n

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Clare\u2019s opening speech was followed by the congratulatory video recording from\u00a0Linda Smith<\/a>, Chair of the Board of the\u00a0UKC3<\/a>, introducing all local cyber security clusters in the UK and highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in the field.<\/p>\n

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A highlight of the event was\u00a0the presentation from Jason Steer<\/a>, Director and CEO of KMCC, on romance scams and other forms of cyber fraud. Steer, who is a seasoned cyber security veteran and also the CISO of\u00a0 Recorded Future<\/a>, shed light on the intricacies of cybercrime and provided insights into prevention strategies.<\/p>\n

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Following Jason Steer\u2019s talk,\u00a0Chris Buckingham<\/a>\u00a0from the\u00a0City of London Police<\/a>\u00a0introduced the work of\u00a0Action Fraud<\/a>, the reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime run by the City of London Police, working alongside the\u00a0National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB)<\/a>. Chris discussed some useful and interesting statistics about cyber fraud in South East England, offering real-world examples and emphasised the importance of reporting fraud to the authorities.<\/p>\n

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In a panel discussion following Chris Buckingham\u2019s talk, participants delved into the essential skills required for a successful career in cyber security. Led by industry experts\u00a0Molly Davis<\/a>,\u00a0Lucy Maclaren<\/a>, and\u00a0Anka Moraru<\/a>, the conversation, facilitated by\u00a0Clare Patterson<\/a>, illuminated the diverse skill set needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. From technical expertise to critical thinking and communication skills, the panel underscored the multifaceted nature of cyber security roles. Audience engagement was strong as attendees sought various advice on skills development and career pathways and highlighted the event\u2019s value in empowering aspiring cyber security professionals.<\/p>\n

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In a second panel discussion, attendees heard inspiring career anecdotes from cyber security professionals\u00a0Nikhil Kamboj<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Richard Starnes<\/a>. Facilitated by KMCC COO\u00a0Chris Solomon<\/a>, the session offered a glimpse into the diverse pathways that can lead to success in the field. From founding start-ups to leading cyber security initiatives, each story served as a testament to the myriad opportunities available within the cyber security domain. Audience members were captivated by the speakers\u2019 journeys, leaving the discussion with renewed enthusiasm and a deeper understanding of the possibilities within the cyber security industry.<\/p>\n

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The event was concluded by Professor Shujun Li<\/a>, iCSS Director who also chairs KMCC\u2019s Steering Group. Professor Li called participants to consider joining KMCC as members to co-develop the local cyber security ecosystem. He also introduced members of the Steering Group, and those who attended the event introduced themselves briefly to the other participants:\u00a0Dr Budi Arief<\/a> of the University of Kent who is also iCSS’s Operations Lead, Professor Gareth Howells<\/a> of the University of Essex, David Timms<\/a> of\u00a0CAFBank<\/a>, and Robert Winter<\/a> of\u00a0Cloud21 Ltd<\/a>. Professor Li also informed the participants about the various ongoing projects of KMCC: the\u00a0CyberAnything Competition<\/a>, the recently established\u00a0KMCSN (Kent & Medway CyberSchools Network)<\/a>, and the\u00a0ISC2-iCSS-KMCC 1MCC campaign<\/a>\u00a0for promoting ISC2\u2019s new CC certification for cyber security beginners. In his concluding remarks, Professor Li thanked all speakers and participants for making the event a great success, the event\u2019s sponsors \u2013\u00a0Recorded Future<\/a>\u00a0and iCSS, the supporting body\u00a0KMCS3 (Kent & Medway Cyber Security Student Society)<\/a>, and all local helpers and organisers for their hard work in making the event possible.<\/p>\n

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While unable to attend the event, heartfelt thanks also go to\u00a0other members of KMCC\u2019s Steering Group, Rebecca Avery<\/a>, Training and Development Manager and Strategic Online Safety Lead for the Education Safeguarding Service at the Kent County Council<\/a>, Boade Babarinde<\/a>, AVP and Data & Information Security Manager at\u00a0Bank of China, UK<\/a>,\u00a0Jason Cordingley<\/a>, Cyber Security Engineer at\u00a0Thales UK<\/a>, and\u00a0Vanessa Henneker<\/a>, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the\u00a0UK Cyber Security Council<\/a>. This diverse and dedicated group will help ensure effective governance and strategic direction for all of KMCC\u2019s initiatives and endeavours.<\/p>\n

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A video showing some of the selected moments of the event can be found below, which can also be watched on our YouTube channel<\/a>. Special thanks to Brittani Guerra<\/a> from the UKC3 for producing the video for KMCC and for attending the event to provide us with marketing support.<\/p>\n