An EPSRC-funded network working to strengthen the UK’s cyber security research ecosystem, has been named as a sponsor of the East Midlands Cyber Summit 2027.

CRANE will support the event’s return on Tuesday 23 February 2027 at The Venue @ DMU, Western Boulevard, Leicester.

Organised by East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster (EMCSC), the Summit brings regional business leaders together with cyber security professionals, educators and public-sector stakeholders for a day of practical learning and knowledge exchange.

CRANE’s involvement reflects a shared interest in connecting cyber security research with the challenges organisations face in practice.

What is CRANE and why is it supporting the East Midlands Cyber Summit?

CRANE supports the development of cyber security research within and across academic disciplines. It evaluates emerging technologies and threats, identifying opportunities for new research that can lead to practical security interventions.

The network also provides a point of access to UK research for businesses, government and third-sector organisations. Input from these wider stakeholder groups helps challenge and shape research priorities.

That exchange is relevant to the Summit’s focus on practical, proportionate cyber resilience. Bringing researchers and organisations into the same conversation can help connect emerging research with operational needs, while giving researchers a clearer understanding of the problems businesses need to address.

How does the Summit connect cyber security research with business needs?

Dr Ismini Vasileiou, founder of the East Midlands Cyber Summit and founder and director of EMCSC, said: “CRANE’s involvement will help us strengthen the connection between cyber security research and the needs of organisations across the East Midlands.

“Businesses need opportunities to explain the challenges they face and understand how research could help. Researchers benefit from hearing those experiences first-hand, so their work can be informed by what is happening in practice.

“The Summit provides a place for that exchange. We welcome CRANE’s support as we bring the region’s business and research communities together to share knowledge and explore practical ways to improve cyber resilience.”

Andrew Martin, CRANE Network Lead, and Professor of Systems Security, Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, said: “CRANE exists to strengthen the cyber security research community, supporting developing and nurturing research across academic disciplines throughout the UK.   

Within our network, volunteer Regional Co-ordinators arrange and deliver hybrid seminars, and in-person networking events, to engage the cyber security research community.  These bring academics together with industry representatives in each region. 

“The East Midlands Cyber Summit is a great opportunity to make such connections, and in supporting it we are very happy to promote dialogue between researchers and practitioners”

How can organisations book tickets or sponsor the Summit?

The 2027 event follows a sold-out inaugural Summit and will continue to help organisations move from awareness of cyber risk towards realistic action within their own operations.

Topics will include business continuity, leadership responsibility, workforce skills, supply-chain security and incident preparedness.

CRANE joins the event’s sponsors alongside headline sponsor Arctic Wolf, supporting a forum where regional organisations can build connections and gain useful insight into managing cyber risk.

Tickets for the East Midlands Cyber Summit 2027 can be reserved at https://bit.ly/EMCyberSummit27.

Partner and support-level sponsorship packages are still available for organisations seeking to support the event and engage with the region’s business and cyber security community.

View the sponsorship pack at https://bit.ly/EMCSCsummit27.

ENDS