Events

Corporate governance and cyber risk are becoming increasingly intertwined as the world becomes more digitised. In response to this, DSIT has published a call for views on a proposed Cyber Governance Code of Practice which seeks to inform directors, non-executive directors, and senior leaders about the actions they need to take to ensure their organisations are resilient to threats.

DSIT is inviting stakeholders from across the economy and society to provide feedback on the proposed Code, to understand if the cyber risks are presented and explained in a way that is straightforward and can be implemented.

The scope of the call for views is focused around three particular issues:

• the design of the cyber governance Code of Practice;
• how the UK government can drive uptake of its use and compliance with the code; and
• the merits and demand for an assurance process against the Code.

Speaker Details:

Jack Harrigan is Head of Cyber Governance and Accountability at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He is part of the Cyber Resilience team that improves resilience to cyber risks across the UK economy. Jack leads work on embedding cyber into existing corporate governance and business regulations and driving senior leaders to govern cyber risk more effectively. Jack has a decade of experience in government and has previously worked on the UK GDPR and the free flow of personal data.

John Maguire

John Maguire is the Head of Cyber Resilience and Incentives at the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology, focusing on improving the management and prioritisation of cyber risk within organisations across the UK economy.  He has worked for government for over 15 years, which includes central government, devolved government, and executive agency experience.  Prior to his current role, he was working on UK digital trade policy and negotiations.

The call for views will close on 19^th March.

To book your place please email Nicola.Jackson@sdbtad.com

Join the CompTIA Community at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester for a full day of content and educational sessions designed to help you grow and improve your business.

MSPs can book sessions in our Genius Café to get tailored 1:1 business advice from several leading industry experts, and everyone is invited to network over drinks and dinner in the evening.

9.30am – 5pm   Meeting
12:15pm -1:45pm   Lunch
12:45pm-1:45pm   Genius Cafe
5.30pm – 9pm   Networking drinks and dinner

View the full agenda here and click the ‘Learn More’ link below to book your place.

How do you inspire inclusion in a way that brings everyone along with you?

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion but how do you do this in a way that doesn’t alienate parts of your workforce?

In partnership with our friends at Voice at The Table, join Frog Systems to discuss the part that we all have to play in promoting inclusivity in the workplace.

We will hear from four guests who are using Employee Resource Groups, company data, client feedback, mentoring and leadership training to make real change in the workplace.

We’ll find out why and how they started out on their EDI journeys, what practical steps they’ve taken to give everyone a voice in their businesses and where they think the conversation needs to go from here.

Join BCS for their free event in Edinburgh on 6th March!

The stories we are fed about AI seem to fall into two categories:

1. It’s our saviour! It’s going to be wonderful!

2. It’s going to take all our jobs and destroy humanity!

The media feed us so many simplified stories designed to stimulate our imaginations with science fiction fantasies, both utopian and dystopian. The law and governance around AI is also so far behind the curve that it can confuse the issues, often propagating misconceptions, and making life harder for those wanting to use AI sensibly. The truth is far more nuanced and requires us to understand much more than just the hype.

But there is an elephant in the AI room. Conversations tend to focus on Generative-AI. Very few people talk about how to actually test AI-based systems.

Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and as testers it’s our job to understand those nuances, to understand what the actual risks are, and how to mitigate them.

So … how do you test an AI system?

This talk addresses some of the risks, opportunities, and ethics involved. It also lays out a framework for testing AI-based systems, exploring the technology itself, along with the techniques, skill sets, and thinking patterns that we as testers need to adopt to remain relevant, as the fourth Industrial Revolution kicks in for real.

AI is evolving. We need to as well!

Click the ‘Learn More’ link below to register.

Join CENSIS for a catch up over a virtual coffee and connect with companies, researchers and stakeholders with an interest in the same space. This event has been organised with help from Scottish Enterprise and ScotlandIS.

There is no fixed agenda for any of our virtual coffees, and we aim for a forum that is open, friendly and encourages conversation. The direction of the discussion always follows whatever people on the call want to talk about, and the conversations are never recorded.

Led by CENSIS Business Development Director, Cade Wells, this session explore cyber security exporting – including products, services and expertise. Cade will be joined by Xavier Bellekens, CEO of Lupovis and Malcolm Warr OBE, Chair of CNI Scotland.

A thriving cyber security sector is important not only for UK national security, but also for our economic prosperity. On this call we’ll be discussing how we can share our knowledge and ideas with other countries for our mutual benefit. Join us to discuss how working together globally can lead to great security and prosperity for everyone.

Potential topics for discussion might include:

• How can we best share cyber-knowledge to gain export advantage?
• What cyber opportunities can be promoted on the back of certain initiatives, e.g., the UK/Australia/USA ( AUKUS) initiative?
• What export opportunities and/or risks exist in particular regions or countries?
• What about dual use and the ECJU (Export Control Joint Unit), part of the Department for Business & Trade?
• Is selling cyber solutions as hard as selling insurance?
• What about the ‘Cybersecurity Made in Europe’ label, an industry-driven marketing tool designed to promote European cybersecurity companies?
• From selling into Scotland to selling internationally – what are the next steps?

ScotlandIS in partnership with Scottish Government are hosting a unique opportunity to join an “NHS Meet the Buyer” webinar.

Join us for an insightful webinar where you’ll gain valuable perspectives on how you access procurement opportunities within Scotland’s healthcare sector.

Discover the future landscape of healthcare opportunities in Scotland directly from NHS representatives.

To register, email Ross Murray at ross.murray@sdbtad.com

Come to The Dome in Edinburgh for a transformative event on inclusivity and diversity in procurement.

We will hear from Matt Dabrowski, CEO and Founder of Out Britain, the UK’s first LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce who connect and support the UK LGBTQ+ business community to grow. Matt is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and economic equality, and will speak about why equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) is an essential part of business practice and procurement.

On the day we will also hear case studies from Cecilia Righini, Founder of Studio Lutalica and Selina McCole, Managing Director, Global Head of ESG for Operations & Supply Chain and Supplier Diversity at Goldman Sachs.

Throughout the event, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts, thought leaders, and fellow professionals to explore how embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity can drive innovation, foster productivity, and ultimately boost business success.

Expect to hear compelling case studies, gain expert advice, and connect with like-minded professionals. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen your business’s diversity efforts.

Click the ‘Learn More’ link to register.

Join our next ITMS Community event on 12th March in Aberdeen, which will be a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session, kindly hosted by IFB.

This event aims to bring together ITMSPs from the region to foster networking opportunities, and facilitate the sharing of challenges and best practices.

ScotlandIS Head of Cyber, Beverly Bowles, will kick off the afternoon with an update on the cluster and charter, and how Scotland’s IT Managed Service Provider community is taking shape.

We’ll then have a speaker from Police Scotland offering a policing/forensics perspective to what ITMS companies should be securing themselves against, including insights on response and recovery practices and breach case studies. 

We look forward to welcoming you to this enriching IT Managed Service Providers Networking Event, where you will gain valuable insights, forge new connections, and contribute to the growth of the ITMSP community in Aberdeen. 

This ITMS event is CPD certified! Gain hours towards your CPD qualifications by coming to our events.

*Please note that this session will now be delivered online*

This session is delivered in partnership with Institute of Directors (IoD) and Close the Gap.

The unequal involvement of women in the labour market is a drag on growth for both individual businesses and the broader economy, as many women operate below their capacity. Organisations who foster gender equality will benefit from access to a broader talent pool, reduced staff turnover, and heightened productivity due to enhanced employee morale.

In their recent publication ‘Gender pay gap briefing for directors and leaders‘ with IoD Scotland, Close the Gap set out the ways in which leaders can help to close their organisation’s gender pay gap. We will hear from Lindsey Millen, Head of Policy and Development at Close the Gap about this publication and explore why achieving gender equity matters in today’s business landscape and how it serves as a catalyst for heightened efficiency and success.

Get ready for engaging discussions designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to address gender pay disparities within your own organisation. From understanding the root causes to implementing effective solutions, this event will help you in your journey toward fostering an inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

Expect to share best practice, gain expert advice, and connect with like-minded professionals. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen your business’s diversity efforts.

Click ‘Learn More’ below to register.

The Ecommerce Club is proud to present Ecommerce Scotland, a one day conference by Scottish Ecommerce specialists for ambitious Ecommerce brands, merchants, retailers & marketplace sellers wanting to accelerate growth/productivity and scale their businesses.

The conference brings together the top Ecommerce minds to unlock Scotland’s Ecommerce potential through the use of Automation, A.I. & Machine Learning, along with the latest marketing tactics and growth strategies.

The conference is open to everyone with an interest in, or working in: Ecommerce, Online Retail & Digital Marketing. However, you’ll see from the agenda that it covers intermediate / advanced topics which are “best suited” for e.g. Heads of Ecommerce, Ecommerce Managers, Heads of Marketing, Digital Marketers, Content Marketers, Social Media Managers, Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs.

ScotlandIS, in partnership with Equate Scotland and Scotland Skills Development Scotland, is delighted to be providing a free online session about inclusive recruitment practices specifically designed for small and medium enterprises within the tech ecosystem.

Workplace inclusion in today’s environment is a critical topic that tech employers can no longer see as “a nice to have”. Inclusive recruitment is a vital component of a broader approach. By ensuring that inclusive recruitment practices are embedded within the organisation, not only are we adhering to our legal duties but also ensuring we are tapping into a wider talent pool, fostering diversity of people, experiences, and innovation.

Inclusive recruitment refers to the processes and practices used to attract, interview, and hire a diverse pool of talent. This is to ensure we can reduce bias at different stages of the recruitment process and ensure the best-qualified people get hired for positions regardless of gender, ethnicity, or any other protected characteristics.

Why is inclusive recruitment important when hiring?

• Widen your talent pool to have a diverse pool of candidates to choose from. This is to ensure you don’t miss out on talents.
• Show your commitment to diversity & inclusion. Send a positive message to candidates and showcase that you want to create an environment that will help them learn and succeed.
• Set a positive environment from the start as the experience during the interview process will influence how candidates feel about joining your organisation.

What will you learn?

• Increase your understanding of what inclusive recruitment is within the Scottish tech ecosystem.
• Learn about current best practices throughout the recruitment process and know how to apply them within your organisation.
• Develop skills to review your own recruitment processes and identify short-term and long-term actions.
• Where to find resource and guidance to continue your learning.

Who should attend?

• This training is designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises with a requirement for digital skills.
• Ideal for professionals in a management or leadership position, working in Human Resources or involved in the recruitment process.

When is it?

This training will be hosted online and split across two sessions to allow time for self-reflection. Participants should attend both sessions:

Tuesday 19th March, 10am – 11.30am

Tuesday 26th March, 10am – 11.30am

Entrepreneurial Scotland is pleased to invite you to our webinar: “Delivering Results: The Power of Saltire Scholar Interns for Your Business.”

This insightful webinar will give you an inside look at the transformational benefits of hosting a Saltire Scholar Intern through Entrepreneurial Scotland’s flagship Saltire Scholar Programme.

The Saltire Scholar Programme matches organisations worldwide with pre-vetted, high-calibre undergraduate students (‘Saltire Scholars’) from Scotland’s universities, who complete a 10–12-week internship in the summer. Saltire Scholars join organisations with the latest skills, brightest ideas, and a drive to deliver impact. Interns work on dedicated projects of commercial significance that help businesses to change and grow.

The programme been instrumental in identifying and nurturing Scotland’s next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. The upcoming webinar is tailored for businesses seeking strategic growth and an infusion of the best talent to complete commercial projects for their organisation.

Key Highlights of the Webinar:

Strategic Talent Access: Find out how the Saltire Scholar Programme connects businesses with a choice of over 650 pre-vetted, high-potential interns.

Real Commercial Projects: Understand how Saltire Scholars deliver real commercial work, delivering tangible results for businesses.

Building a Talent Pipeline: Understand the long-term advantages, including the creation of a robust talent pipeline for participating organisations.

This event is delivered in partnership with the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.

The most important asset of a business is its people.

In order to grow and develop this asset, leaders are implementing a new business culture and people practices to empower employees to reach their potential. A framework that can help businesses improve their people management is Fair Work.

During this session, we will hear from Alison Henderson, CEO Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, about the practical steps they have taken to become a Fair Work employer and why an engaged workforce can drive business to success.

“Running a business of any size and being an employer means it’s important to balance the rights of the business & our employees…we always do what we can to adopt fair work policies, whether that is in supporting carers & parents, investing in ways to engage & empower our workforce, or paying the Real Living Wage.”

Join this interactive session in Dundee that will offer opportunities to ask questions, discuss challenges and solutions, and network with peers.

Agenda

08.30 – 09.00 Registration and Networking Breakfast

09.00 – 09.15 introduction

09.15 – 09.45 Case study presentation and Q&A

09.45 – 10.15 Group discussion

10.30 Close

Holyrood Connect’s annual Public Sector Data Summit will return to Edinburgh on 20 March 2024. 

The use of data in digital technologies within the public sector has skyrocketed in recent years. It is crucial that we understand how to maximise its potential to help us make informed decisions and deliver the best possible outcomes for our customers.  

Through a variety of session formats, including keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive masterclasses, the event will provide real-life examples of data use within the public sector for you to learn from.  

You will have the opportunity to pose questions to our panels during the Question & Answer portions of the sessions and gain insight into: 

• How do we get the basics right on data 
• How do we effectively bring together the use of AI and data 
• What skills are required to optimise your business intelligence and data maturity 
• How can data make a positive difference in your community 
• The importance of data ethics 

Public Sector Data Summit 2024 will also feature an exhibition, providing an opportunity for you to explore relevant solutions for your organisation. 

The event is free-to-attend for those working in the public or third sectors. If you work in the private sector, please email eventsadmin@holyrood.com to be added to our waiting list. 

Based on excellent feedback and great response from last year, IFB is organising another event from our Lunch & Learn series, this time in partnership with EXPO.e.

Join us for the session as we will be highlighting the following topics:   

• Inside of Cyber Security Operations Centre – Role of the CSOC and its fundamental functions and importance to monitor, detect, respond to, and mitigate cybersecurity incidents;  
• Significance of threat intelligence in CSOC operations – Learn how threat analysts gather, assess, and utilize intelligence to stay ahead of potential cyber threats;  
• Power of a layered security approach and discuss how multiple defense mechanisms can fortify your digital landscape;  
• OT Systems and security – CSOC capabilities, visibility and real-time response 
• How IFB in partnership with EXPO.e can support your organisation   

The sessions are aimed at IT Managers/ IT Directors, and Cyber Security managers within Enterprise level organisations.

Click ‘Learn More’ below to register.

Scotland’s Cluster Ecosystem Conference is back, in partnership with the Scottish Cluster Ecosystem Alliance (SCEA). Aligning with the principles of SCEA, the conference will highlight opportunities and insights from across the tech ecosystem, and areas for cross-cluster collaboration. The day will look at international opportunities for tech businesses, as well as showcasing numerous initiatives being launched within Scotland’s tech sector.

This year the theme will focus on sustainability, with areas for discussion including how the sustainability of our organisations might impact our ability to do business in the years ahead, how we can work together to find solutions and how our sector can help to address climate change challenges. 

Intended outcomes of the conference 

• Discuss focussed areas where Scottish Tech businesses can improve their sustainability 
• Identify practices from other countries that can be implemented in Scotland to improve the sustainability of our tech organisations 
• Explore how the members of the Scottish Tech clusters can develop their Net Zero strategy to future proof their eligibility to trade internationally and therefore increase international trade. 
• Discuss how the skills of the sector can be used to assist in climate change challenges

AGENDA

09.15 – 09.45    Arrival, tea & coffee

09.45 – 10.00    Welcome

10.00 – 10.35    Cross-cluster collaborations to achieve net-zero

                             FinTech Scotland and Space Scotland 

10.35 – 11.10      Climate Education for Business

                             Mike Robinson, Chief Executive, Royal Scottish Geographical Society

11.10 – 11.40      Coffee break & networking

11.40 – 12.10     The role of Technology in addressing Net Zero 

                            Professor Sir Dieter Helm, University of Oxford 

12.10 – 12.55     From Concept to Commercialisation: Sustainable Approaches and using Tech in Design & Manufacture

                             Graeme McLaughlin, Design Engineering Team Lead, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland

                             Michael Groves, Founder and CEO, Topolytics 

                             Will Mitchell, Owner, 4C Design 

Abi Hird, Founder and Director, Defankle Innovation

13.00 – 14.00     Lunch

14.00 – 14.45     How Business Leaders can be Climate Leaders

                             Gemma Jones, Director – Enterprises Sustainability, PwC

                             Sheryl Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Appetite for Business

14.45 – 15.20      Leyton

15.20 – 16.15      AI and Sustainability 
                             Keith O’Donnell, Managing Director, Feynic Technology Ltd

16.15 – 16.30      Close

*CANCELLATION POLICY*

A £99+VAT no-show charge will be levied should you fail to attend on the day and fail to notify us of your non-attendance. Cancellations must be confirmed by contacting catriona.blair@sdbtad.com by no later than Tuesday 19th March. By booking your ticket, you agree to these terms and conditions.

Cluster Conference 2024 is now CPD certified! Gain hours towards your CPD qualifications by coming to our events.

Cloud, Data & AI – Transforming Public Services serves as the pivotal meeting point between government and technology providers, offering invaluable insights into harnessing the potential of cloud, data, and AI to modernise public services. Attendees will gain global thought leadership on leveraging these technologies for increased agility, responsiveness, and intelligence in government services. With practitioner insights and strategies for securing buy-in, this conference promises to equip public sector leaders with the tools needed to lead transformative change.

Based on excellent feedback and great response from last year, IFB is organising another event from our Lunch & Learn series, this time in partnership with EXPO.e.

Join us for the session as we will be highlighting the following topics:   

• Inside of Cyber Security Operations Centre – Role of the CSOC and its fundamental functions and importance to monitor, detect, respond to, and mitigate cybersecurity incidents;  
• Significance of threat intelligence in CSOC operations – Learn how threat analysts gather, assess, and utilize intelligence to stay ahead of potential cyber threats;  
• Power of a layered security approach and discuss how multiple defense mechanisms can fortify your digital landscape;  
• OT Systems and security – CSOC capabilities, visibility and real-time response 
• How IFB in partnership with EXPO.e can support your organisation   

The sessions are aimed at IT Managers/ IT Directors, and Cyber Security managers within Enterprise level organisations.

Click ‘Learn More’ below to register.