Plexal Cyber

As part of the Plexal Lates series, leaders across AI and cyber security joined us at our Stratford workspace to explore the impact of AI on modern businesses. Our CCO and Head of Innovation, Saj Huq, led the conversation, joined by three expert panellists who shared their perspectives on AI's potential benefits and challenges – which you can read here in full: 📰 https://lnkd.in/eQZGFWwU. David Sully, CEO of Advai, detailed that businesses faced board level pressure around adoption and highlighted their challenge to separate hype from scalable solutions. Dr Magda Chelly, Co-Founder of RiskImmune (By RC), flagged concern with the overreliance on AI being a silver bullet for knowledge to say: “There’s a general perception that AI is inherently ‘smart,’ which can be misleading.” Joshua Walter, Partner at Osney Capital, focused on AI’s role in cyber security, pointing to emerging threats from deepfakes and identity fraud, noting: “Investing in prevention, especially in identity and trust, has become a priority.” With AI reshaping industries, security is a growing priority. That’s why today, Plexal is introducing the AI Security Challenge – an opportunity for innovators at the intersection of AI and cyber security to join us in developing secure, trustworthy AI systems. We’re particularly interested in organisations working on AI security systems and their components, including those focused on data privacy, model protection and secure AI development practices. Want to be a part of this mission? To register your interest, click here: https://lnkd.in/eH2fvNyr Stay tuned for a full project announcement coming soon! Andrew Roughan | Dave Rowley | James Leeke | Diane Gilbert | Matthew Miller | Stuart Nelson | Lucy Coutts | William Gurney | Winnie Yan | Ria Khan | Bernadette M. | Russ Shaw CBE | Gavin Poole | HERE EAST | Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates | techUK | Hub8 | CyNam | Loughborough University London | University of Staffordshire London | Teesside University London | #AI | #AISecurity | #ArtificialIntelligence | #Cyber | #CyberSecurity

Very pleased to have hosted the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre team as they brought cyber startups from Singapore to the UK for a trade mission this week to connect with the UK cyber ecosystem alongside SGTech and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). Covering how to land in the UK and make the most of opportunities from the local cyber ecosystem, they heard from industry insiders including our very own Diane Gilbert at Plexal, James Stanley from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Annie Collings at techUK, while connecting with UK startup Fortifi Cyber Security and director Kieran R.   We were delighted to welcome startups including InsiderSecurity, MicroSec, Invisiron - Cyber Defence Fortified, Resolvo Systems Pte Ltd, Silence Laboratories, Antarex Cyber and AxisNow in order to foster cross-border sharing and collaboration, aligning with the work we've been doing with CyberBoost: Catalyse 🌐   Hub8 | CyNam | Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates | HERE EAST | Jezerie Lan | Doris Tan | Maria Barr | Holly Smith | Alan Every | Saj Huq | #Cyber | #CyberSecurity | #NationalSecurity | #Singapore | #ASEAN

Great to see Plexal’s CCO and Head of Innovation, Saj Huq, reconnect with Second Front CEO, Tyler Sweatt, on the All Quiet on the Second Front podcast! 🎙️ Second Front is an alumnus of our Amazon Web Services (AWS) European Defence Accelerator, during which we tackled the challenges impacting European national security organisations, including everything from increased cyber threats through to energy resilience. Episode 78 explores the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of national security and private sector innovation. Saj, sharing from his perspective as a leader in tech and a former UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Pilot, offers insights into Plexal’s mission in creating impactful ecosystems by closing gaps between government, industry and academia. Check it out below 🎧

Cyber Runway alumnus Peter Lenk, Tech Lead at Goldilock, added: "We were thrilled to attend the ENISE event in León. As a cyber security scale-up, such events are brilliant opportunities to meet with as many companies as possible through face-to-face discussions and stage time. From system integrators to potential partners and customers, we engaged with a wide range of companies, which was a real testament to the organisers' success. We'll be following up with many of the organisations we met and growing our network of distributors, partners, and users, sharing our mission to "disconnect to protect". We're grateful to INCIBE - Instituto Nacional de Ciberseguridad, the organisers, and Plexal for the invitation."

📢 Exciting opportunity for academics in the North West!   The £1.2m North West Cyber Security Connect for Commercialisation (NW CyberCom) project is a Research England-funded collaboration between Lancaster University, The University of Manchester, The University of Salford, University of Liverpool, The Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Central Lancashire, aimed at unlocking the region’s cyber security potential.   Plexal is working with the universities to help academics commercialise their research and make sure the solutions they help build are most needed by society and industry.   Our latest challenges focus on the health sector – which is already under pressure and vulnerable to cyberattacks – and manufacturing, one of the most targeted sectors that can’t afford any delays. We’re seeking innovative ideas that address either (or both) of the following key questions:   🔹 How can you secure operational technology (OT) and industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) in manufacturing? 🔹 How can you secure consumer health devices through emerging technologies or make them secure by design?   We’re inviting academics from the partner universities to express interest. Shortlisted academics will be invited to an event on 7 November where they can hear from industry leaders and apply for up to £25,000 in funding. We’ll help you explore the viability if your idea, explore partnerships and how you can use your research to solve problems that matter. To express interest, click here: https://lnkd.in/eDwBDyT8   For additional information, please explore our challenges in detail here: https://lnkd.in/eWv-q-ww If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at nwcybercom@lancaster.ac.uk #NWCyberCom Chris Wynne | Jessica Wenmouth | Elizabeth Mullis

Reminder: This Wednesday! AI: A trick or treat for businesses?🎃 There are only two days to go till we explore AI's role in modern business and examine whether it's a 'trick' or 'treat' for companies today. Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear from industry leaders, connect with peers and gain actionable business insights. Event Details:  📅 Date: Wednesday 30th October ⏰ Time: 5 - 7 PM 📍 Location: HERE EAST, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Plexal, London E15 2GW What we’ll explore: 🧙♂️AI uptake: A spellbinding success or cursed concept? ⚖️ Is regulation in AI sucking the life out of innovation? ⚔️ How is AI used for good and evil? Our panellists on the night will include: David Sully, CEO & Co-Founder at Advai, which aims to increase the adoption and automation of AI across all domains and businesses. Joshua Walter, Partner at Osney Capital, a UK-based venture capital fund specialising in early-stage cyber security startups. Dr Magda Chelly, Co-Founder at RiskImmune (By RC), which equips organisations with advanced, AI-driven risk management capabilities. Grab your tickets now, or it’ll haunt you later! 👻 🎟️ https://lnkd.in/e9NneuSu Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates | Diane Gilbert | Saj Huq | Alan Every | Claudia Rosen | James Leeke | Mary Welton | Matthew Miller | Stuart Nelson | Winnie Yan | Zen Terrelonge

🌐 Exclusive Cybersecurity Networking Reception in London 🌐 We are delighted to invite cyber leaders, advocates, solution providers and investors to a special evening of connection and collaboration as part of our cyber-focused business mission to the UK. This exclusive reception offers a rare opportunity to network with Singapore’s most rapidly growing cybersecurity startups, alongside prominent industry leaders, government representatives, and experts driving the future of cyber defense. This is your opportunity to: • Engage with leading voices from Singapore’s thriving cybersecurity ecosystem. • Discuss cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to tackling complex cyber challenges and potential cross-border initiatives. • Exchange insights and views on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, emerging threats, and the strategies shaping defense mechanisms. • Explore investment opportunities in the next generation of cybersecurity solutions. 👥 Meet representatives from the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, the CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre (Singapore’s national cybersecurity node), and other key cybersecurity ecosystem players shaping digital security across borders. 📅 Date: 6 Nov 2024 ⏲️ Time: 6:30PM to 9:00PM 📍 Location: 64 Eastcastle St, London W1W 8NQ Don’t miss this opportunity to build meaningful relationships, discover new solutions, and collaborate with Singapore’s top cyber innovators. Seats are limited. Secure your spot now for an evening of impactful conversations and networking! 🔗 RSVP : https://lnkd.in/dWHyJg2g #CyberSecurity #Networking #Innovation #CyberSolutions #InvestInCyber #CyberLeaders #CyberAdvocates

The Plexal team has been on the ground in Singapore this past month delivering our CyberBoost Catalyse programme with the National University of Singapore and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), enabling startups to use Singapore as a catalyst for scaling. Most recently, the cohort joined us at Singapore’s International Cyber Week, where they connected with global cyber leaders and showcased what they’ve been working on. From battling deepfakes to getting organisations quantum-ready, the CyberBoost Catalyse cohort are at the forefront of innovation and we’re delighted to be delivering the knowledge and connections required to fast track their growth plans. Take a look at the highlights! 👀 Applications for Cyberboost Catalyse 2025 will reopen in late 2024, register here to be notified: https://lnkd.in/ewMeQjt4 CyberSG TIG Collaboration Centre | Andrew Roughan | Saj Huq | Dave Rowley | Diane Gilbert | Holly Smith | Maria Barr | Alan Every | Pek Loon Tan | Kanishk Gaur | Matthias Chin | Teik Guan Tan | (Charles) Yehui H. | Rebecca Glassey |

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology-backed CyberASAP programme is an early-stage accelerator, which is designed to transform deep academic insights into commercial opportunities, delivered by Innovate UK Business Connect. Supporting execution, Plexal's specific role within this initiative is to further embed a selected group of promising researchers into enterprise as part of the Industry Challenge stream of CyberASAP to accelerate their business potential. Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome the CyberASAP cohort including Pentestifyy, LockEyeGaze, ai360, Sirocco, FuSeBMC-AI, CyberThemis and GridGuardian in our Cheltenham-based Hub8 MX Innovation Centre for the much-awaited in-person Startup Circuit event. Through this, we connected cyber innovators with cyber industry leaders and CISOs, enabling them to mutually benefit from clinics, discussions and more around how prospective solutions can solve industry challenges. A big thank you to the National Cyber Security Centre's technical, cyber innovation and academia team members for being so supportive and insightful, as well as industry partners BAE Systems, CDS Defence & Security, CurveTech.AI, Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, EDF, IASME and National Grid for committing their time and expertise. And demonstrating the power of ecosystem and paying it forward, thank you also to familiar faces Cyber Tzar and Trust Stamp, members of our #NCSCForStartup alumni community, for being a part of the Startup Circuit and helping us close the gap between research and business 💡 Lucas Martin Calderon | Shijing He | Raj Mani Shukla | Richard Allmendinger | Lucas Cordeiro | Ioannis (Giannis) Sfyrakis | Jonathan C Mayo-Maldonado | Mohammad Eissa | Berta Pappenheim | Mary Welton | Monika Radclyffe | Robert Kearney | Emily Porter | James Lamb | Jessica Moffatt-Owen | Winnie Yan | Thomas Broadway | Reid D. | Daisy North | Emma Fadlon | Robin Kennedy | Rebecca Bryant | #CyberSecurity | #Research | #AI | #Cyber | #ArtificialIntelligence | #Academia | #Commercialisation

A night at KPMG UK ✨ Digitech Oasis crowned “Most Promising Large Business” by a Big 4 firm? - pinch me! In Kenya, where 70% of the population is under the age of 35 and a staggering 50% are unemployed, our journey began with a vision to create opportunities where they were scarce. What started as a response to youth unemployment has blossomed into something much greater with far reaching global impact. Olu Odubajo, founder of the Black Entrepreneurs' Awards, created something really special with the same vision to create opportunities where they are scarce. As Jonathan Holt rightly pointed out challenges are more pronounced for some with less than 1% of venture capital in the UK going to Black entrepreneurs. This equity-free cash injection empowers us to innovate and create more opportunities. A heartfelt thank you to the KPMG UK team & the incredible judges for believing in our vision! Elisha Sempa Blessing E. Congratulations to all the other finalists and winners: 🏆Yasmin Greenaway FRSA - Most Promising Small Business dermie.AI 🏆Anita Frost - Most Promising Medium-Sized Business Green Bean Studios 🏆Ben Lindsay OBE - Most Promising Not-for Profit Business Power The Fight