As regional cyber ecosystems gain strategic importance, the Waterstons CyberNorth partnership aims to accelerate innovation, talent development, and resilience across the North East of England.
Waterstons and CyberNorth have announced a new strategic collaboration designed to strengthen the region’s cybersecurity sector and position it as a leading hub in the United Kingdom. The partnership marks a key milestone in CyberNorth’s next phase of growth, focused on scaling its impact and expanding its regional influence.
The alliance reflects a shared vision to support businesses, nurture talent pipelines, and enhance cyber resilience in response to increasing threats and evolving digital transformation demands. It also builds on CyberNorth’s growing ecosystem of collaborators, which includes industry players such as Accenture, Gateshead College, and Sage.
Waterstons, headquartered in Durham, brings extensive expertise in digital transformation, strategic IT services, and cybersecurity. As one of a select group of Cyber Resilience Auditors certified by the National Cyber Security Centre, the company plays a critical role in helping organizations strengthen their defenses against modern cyber threats. With more than 280 employees and operations spanning the UK and internationally, Waterstons represents a successful example of regional innovation with global reach.
“CyberNorth plays a critical role in bringing together the region’s cyber community, and we’re proud to support them at such an important point in their journey. This partnership is more than sponsorship. It’s about backing a shared vision for the North East as a thriving, nationally recognised cyber hub.
By working together, we can help strengthen connections between industry, academia and the public sector, supporting North East cyber prominence, whilst at the same time helping to inspire the next generation of talent and open up more accessible pathways into the sector.” said Stewart Hogg, Associate Director at Waterstons.
CyberNorth, which has supported hundreds of businesses and over 2,000 professionals since its inception, continues to play a central role in driving regional cybersecurity growth. Its collaborations span multiple sectors, including fintech, space, maritime, and defense, while its partnerships with UK government bodies have elevated the region’s profile on a national and global stage.
“We are now focused on growth growth in reach, in impact, and in opportunity for the region. This strategic partnership with Waterstons means we can continue building and scaling the programmes that matter most, building stronger talent pipelines, and creating a more inclusive and resilient cyber ecosystem for the North East.
Importantly, this partnership gives us the stability to think long-term. It means investing more deeply in young people, supporting SMEs more effectively, and accelerating major initiatives like the North East Cyber Innovation Centre.
Strategic partnerships like this are critical to enabling CyberNorth to continue its work and impact in the region. It helps us to provide support to our growing industry and the businesses within it and without them, we would cease to exist. We are delighted to work with Waterstons to better the region and support their continued success.” said Jon Holden.
The Waterstons CyberNorth partnership will focus on expanding education programs, strengthening SME support, and accelerating initiatives such as the North East Cyber Innovation Centre. It will also enhance engagement across universities and community events, reinforcing the region’s position as a center for cybersecurity excellence.
The Waterstons CyberNorth partnership underscores a broader trend of regional collaboration driving national cybersecurity capabilities. As cyber threats grow more complex, initiatives that combine industry, academia, and government expertise will be critical in building resilient digital ecosystems and unlocking long-term economic growth.
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