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Open day connects NHS staff with cybersecurity experts as part of Cyber Scotland Week
The Abertay cyberQuarter recently welcomed over 80 NHS Scotland and public sector leaders for a special tour of the NHS's cybersecurity operations during Cyber Scotland Week.
As a specialist board of NHS Scotland with a broad focus on infrastructure, NHS National Services Scotland’s (NSS) Digital and Security Directorate is a founding partner of the Abertay cyberQuarter. Their Cyber Security team, headquartered at the cyberQuarter, hosted a special Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) Open Day as part of the event.
Held on Thursday 27 February 2025, the event attracted participants from NHS Scotland’s Health Boards, providing them with valuable insights into the Security Operations Centre (SOC). Attendees explored cutting-edge innovations in cybersecurity and participated in hands-on sessions led by experts from both industry and academia
Supported by CCoE partners and the Scottish Government Digital Health and Care, the Open Day featured a variety of interactive workshops aimed at engaging both public sector leaders and operational cyber experts.
Participants had the opportunity to meet NHS Scotland SOC analysts, experience an immersive cyber crisis simulation, and learn more about the 24/7 cybersecurity operations that help safeguard Scotland’s healthcare infrastructure.
Professor Lynne Coventry, Director of Abertay cyberQuarter, delivered an academic talk highlighting the importance of industry-academia partnerships and an understanding of human behaviour to tackle evolving cyber threats .
Professor Coventry said:
Hosting the NHS CCoE Open Day at Abertay cyberQuarter is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate how academia and industry can work together to enhance Scotland’s cyber resilience. The event provided valuable discussions, hands-on experience, and a chance to build connections that will help drive future innovation in cyber security.
Guided tours of the cyberQuarter also gave visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how the state-of-the-art facility fosters collaboration, research, and skills development in the cyber security sector.
A panel discussion provided a platform for attendees to explore key challenges in cyber security, with the event encouraging open dialogue on the threats faced by healthcare organisations and the strategies needed to stay ahead.
Nils Krichel, Head of the CCoE at NSS, commented:
We are very thankful to Abertay and all our partners for their support in making this event a great success. It was wonderful to welcome a diverse group of collaborators, partners, and experts, all united by our goal to ‘defend as one’ against the cyber challenges we face. The discussions were very insightful, and we see great value in continuing to hold events like this in the future.
NHS NSS was announced as the Abertay cyberQuarter’s first tenant back in 2021, creating 30 new jobs in Dundee.
The Abertay cyberQuarter opened in 2022, receiving a total of £5.7 million in funding from the UK Government and £6 million from the Scottish Government as part of the Tay Cities Deal. Since launching, the hub has attracted over 12 partners, including prominent organisations like the NHS Scotland Cyber Centre of Excellence, NCRAtleos, and ScotlandIS.
Since its launch, the facility has hosted a diverse range of conferences, industry workshops, and learning sessions, boosting collaboration among organisations to help address global cybersecurity challenges. These initiatives not only enhance the skills of students and professionals in the field but have also contributed to strengthening the cyber resilience of the local community.
