On the 16th November 2023, CTO Jonathan Davies attended The Real Cyber Awards at the Queens Hotel in Leeds as Pervade Software were one of the finalists for Cyber SME of the Year. This was the first annual Real Cyber Awards, and it brought a refreshing perspective by acknowledging the efforts of individuals and organisations dedicated to cyber security. This award ceremony stood out for three impactful reasons:
- Each category had a maximum of 3 shortlisted entrants, meaning if you were shortlisted, there was a higher chance of winning.
- The entries were anonymised before being sent to the judges, putting a spotlight on the merit of the work rather than reputation of the entrants.
- Contrary to the norm, the awards refrained from assigning a winner if none of the entrants met the criteria of the category they entered.
The awards, created by Gary Hibbard, aimed to make a platform that was real, meaning every entrant regardless of their size had an equal opportunity to win.
One notable winner was the Northamptonshire Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC), taking home the Cyber Public Service Award. Their initiative, the Cyber Security Forum, earned praise for its role in helping Northamptonshire businesses protect themselves from cybercrime.
The celebration of these successes highlighted the impact that different organisations and individuals are having on the cyber security landscape. The Real Cyber Awards not only acknowledged excellence but also celebrated those actively contributing to the industry.
