29TH APR 2025
Spotlight Feature: Daisy North
The cyber security sector is often seen as the domain of technical specialists, but Daisy North’s career path highlights the value of diverse skills and perspectives. Beginning with an apprenticeship, she has grown into a key figure in marketing and community engagement at CyNam. In this interview, Daisy reflects on her non-traditional entry into the field, the projects she has led, and the importance of collaboration in shaping a more inclusive cyber ecosystem.
Can you share an overview of your career journey to date and how you came into the field of cybersecurity?
My route into Cyber Security wasn’t traditional, and my role itself isn’t technical. However, what many people don’t realise is that you can work in the cyber sector without being a technical expert. Every cyber security company, product, or service needs marketing—because without it, how do you connect with your audience? Like many others, I stumbled into the industry. At school, cyber security wasn’t on my radar, and I never imagined I’d work in this space.
When I left school, it felt like there were only two options: university or getting a job. But securing a job without experience, often requiring three or more years, wasn’t straightforward. University wasn’t the right path for me, so I explored apprenticeships, which turned out to be the best of both worlds. I gained a qualification in a field I was passionate about while also earning hands-on experience. Choosing an apprenticeship with CyNam was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Since joining, I’ve been exposed to a huge range of experiences, met inspiring individuals, and developed both professionally and personally.
What motivated you to become involved with CyNam?
I might be biased, but CyNam is the best. Our team and directors share the same passion for making a real impact, and we know exactly what needs to be done. Despite being a small team, we’re mighty. The Cheltenham and Gloucestershire region is full of amazing organisations, people, and a community that wants to thrive. CyNam is at the heart of that, and everyone in the ecosystem wants to see us succeed because they know our success helps the entire community grow.
Where did you start, and what are your ambitions for the future?
I started at the very bottom—an apprentice learning on the job and growing with CyNam and the wider sector. As for the future, that’s a tricky question. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. My main goal is to keep doing what I love, embrace new challenges, and continue learning. Whether that’s through my marketing efforts, events, or new initiatives, I want to keep pushing forward and making an impact.
How do you prioritise tasks and manage the challenges of your time?
I’m highly organised and still love traditional methods like pen and paper! I use a daily planner to tick off tasks throughout the day and schedule my workload weekly. But I also leverage digital tools. Notion and Trello are my go-to platforms for managing priorities effectively. A mix of traditional and digital planning helps me stay on top of everything.
Can you provide an example of a significant project you’ve been involved with that had a substantial impact on your region’s ecosystem?
Two projects stand out. First, the Securing the Future of Technology documentary series, where we explored topics like fintech, agritech, and space tech. It was crucial to highlight how cyber security intersects with various industries and how technology underpins everything we do. This project reinforced CyNam’s role in bridging different sectors and growing the cyber ecosystem.
Another key initiative was Clusters on Tour under the UKC3 umbrella. We collaborated with other cyber clusters, connecting with tech hubs in Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Bristol, and Cardiff. This initiative brought together 1,057 attendees, sparking valuable collaborations between businesses, academia, and government. From supporting the East of England Defence and Security Cluster during Cambridge Tech Week to exploring private-public sector collaboration in Milton Keynes, these engagements strengthened our national ecosystem and helped unify cyber clusters across the UK.
What skills or knowledge areas do you think are key to being such a fantastic ambassador for CyNam?
CyNam’s core values are at the heart of everything we do:
- Collaborative Ecosystem – Bringing together startups, businesses, academia, investors, and government to drive innovation.
- Inclusive Empowerment – Creating opportunities for all to contribute to a secure digital future.
- Passion for Place and Purpose – Championing Cheltenham as a cyber innovation hub.
- Purpose-Driven Innovation – Enabling real-world solutions through secure technologies.
Being an ambassador means embodying these values in everything I do—whether it’s building partnerships, sharing success stories, or fostering community engagement.
What’s one of your proudest achievements with CyNam so far?
Leading and presenting the Securing the Future of Technology documentary series. Imposter syndrome is real, especially in a sector as specialised as cyber security. But this project helped me gain confidence in discussing technical topics, managing an end-to-end production, and executing an engaging campaign. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work with talented videographers and meet incredible speakers. Using a variety of skills; project management, marketing, and content creation, I came out of it feeling accomplished and more confident than ever.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced working in such a fast-growing organisation?
When I joined, CyNam was rapidly expanding, and I was thrown into the deep end learning about cyber security while also navigating my role as an apprentice. My team and mentors were incredibly supportive, and I truly believe being in the deep end is the best way to learn.
One of the biggest challenges was establishing our online presence without a predefined structure. I made mistakes along the way, but through trial and error, we figured out what worked. Building successful campaigns and delivering engaging content was a learning curve, especially in such a fast-paced sector where everything is constantly evolving. But adapting quickly and staying ahead of industry trends has been key to our success.
What’s your favourite part of what you do?
It’s hard to pick just one thing! But if I had to choose, I’d say it’s the privilege of doing what I love every day while being surrounded by an incredible team. CyNam is filled with passionate, supportive people who push each other to grow. I’m constantly learning and evolving, and that’s what makes this role so rewarding.
This article was originally published by UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3).
