Recognised for its high-growth potential and strong industrial heritage, the North West of England is the chosen location for a government-backed initiative to secure critical infrastructure and the green economy.
The regional Cyber Runway: NW Net Zero programme is underway and has onboarded ten North West SMEs. These companies are equipped with capabilities to better secure organisations in critical national infrastructure (CNI) sectors, such as aerospace, data and energy. Designed for a greener, more secure future, NW Net Zero is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, delivered by Plexal and supported by Lancaster University.
The programme comes as data centres are experiencing heightened demand due to rapid adoption of AI, while energy consumption was up 2.2% globally in 2024. Innovations in electric vehicles and renewable energy are steps to counter environmental impacts, but emerging technologies also present new security challenges. Added to this, the National Cyber Security Centre has reported the severity of cyber incidents is growing significantly.
The aim of NW Net Zero is to:
- Enable SMEs to understand the cyber challenges faced by industry stakeholders in order to co-create security solutions.
- Unite SMEs and industry with a shared mission to cultivate a thriving regional ecosystem, building cyber awareness in CNI and lower procurement barriers.
- Strengthen the security of technologies linked to the green economy by accelerating cyber businesses through collaboration with net zero leaders.
Diane Gilbert, Senior Innovation Lead for Programmes at Plexal, says: “The North West has been making strides towards clean industrial growth through clusters such as Net Zero North West. The region is also home to a large cyber cluster that includes organisations such as the National Cyber Force, further validating why the market is the ideal location for NW Net Zero.
“Cyber will play an essential enabling role in securing the emerging green economy. Energy security is critical for the UK’s national security and long-term resilience, as highlighted in the National Security Strategy 2025 and focusing on the intersection of cyber security and net zero will contribute to the UK’s long-term energy security.
“Working with various North West partners to develop a trusted ecosystem, we’re determined to create adoption pathways between SMEs and critical industry that reinforce the Cyber Growth Action Plan to grow a thriving cyber sector that enables the UK to be the safest country online.”
The NW Net Zero cohort includes:
APH10, based in Altrincham, develops SBOMLens – a platform that helps software teams identify and prioritise vulnerabilities using Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) data. Its mission is to reduce risk and improve security through transparency and smarter vulnerability management.
CYBIONE, based in Bury, helps businesses reduce their vulnerability to cyber criminals by building affordable, effective security technologies and processes. Its mission is to make cyber protection accessible for SMEs, enabling them to demonstrate resilience to larger corporates and public sector clients.
DebtZer0, based in Stockport, is transforming personal finance with smart tools that help individuals clear debt faster and build lasting financial freedom. Their platform combines behavioural insights and AI-driven strategies to make debt management simple, empowering users to take control of their future.
Digital Transit, based in Lancaster, is driving innovation in sustainable transport and smart mobility solutions. Its technology integrates data analytics and low-carbon strategies to help cities and businesses transition to greener, more efficient transport systems.
Ghost Shift, based in Manchester, is a cyber intelligence company specialising in covert online operations and cognitive effects. Its next-generation platform blends behavioural science and AI-driven tradecraft to deliver actionable insights and shape adversary behaviour at scale.
Illicit Labs, based in Manchester, is pioneering insider threat management with a predictive, preventative approach. Its platform combines governance, risk and oversight with AI-driven tools to help organisations detect and mitigate human and agentic AI risks before they escalate.
Origin Matters, based in Manchester, is building trust and transparency into AI decisions. Its platform combines blockchain and advanced cryptography to deliver privacy-preserving, verifiable assurance for AI systems.
PurpleWASP, based in Manchester, is redefining governance, risk and compliance for modern businesses. Its intuitive platform blends automation with accessibility, making enterprise-grade policy management and risk oversight simple, fast and affordable for organisations of all sizes.
Reliable Insights, based in Lancaster, delivers incisive analysis and actionable intelligence to help decision-makers navigate emerging technologies with confidence. Combining methodological rigour and client-focused collaboration, it turns complex challenges into clear, outcome-driven strategies.
YUDU, based in Clitheroe, is a pioneer in secure digital publishing and resilience technology. Its flagship Sentinel platform empowers organisations to maintain critical communication and access vital documents during cyber incidents or major disruptions.
