Cyber Clinic

The Cyber Clinic was a six-month innovation initiative designed to strengthen cyber resilience across the West Midlands.

Delivered by the Aston Centre for Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) in partnership with TechWM, the programme supported SMEs through practical cyber security advice, workshops, and interactive activities.

Funded by the WMIP 3.0 Flexible Innovation Fund, part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, the Cyber Clinic has now concluded, leaving a strong foundation for continued regional cyber resilience and innovation.

Overview

The Cyber Clinic programme was developed to provide practical, accessible cyber security support to SMEs across the West Midlands.

Through a combination of workshops, one-to-one engagement, and interactive sessions, the programme focused on helping businesses understand cyber risks and implement effective, real-world solutions.

The initiative also contributed to strengthening the regional cyber ecosystem by increasing awareness, building capability, and encouraging collaboration.

Impact

The Cyber Clinic delivered measurable impact across the West Midlands, supporting SMEs through events, workshops, and tailored cyber security guidance.

Delivered 8 cybersecurity workshops
Engaged 382+ workshop attendees
Reached 215K+ through disseminated cybersecurity guidance
Provided tailored 1-to-1 support to 30+ businesses

Workshops

CyberVerse Unmasked

CyberVerse Unmasked: Real Threats and How to Manage Them - 23 October 2025

CyberVerse Unmasked: Real Threats and How to Manage Them was a practical event for small and medium-sized businesses exploring current cyber threats and how organisations can respond to them effectively. The session also marked the official launch of Cyber Clinic, creating space to introduce the initiative, raise awareness of cyber resilience challenges facing SMEs, and share practical insight to help businesses better understand risk and strengthen their digital resilience.

Location: School of Coding, Birmingham

Disinformation for SMEs

Disinformation for SMEs: How to Spot Project and Respond - 29 January 2026

Disinformation for SMEs was a practical workshop designed to help small and medium-sized businesses understand the growing risks of fake content, deepfakes and misleading narratives. The session created space for discussion around how disinformation can damage trust and reputation, while sharing practical guidance to help SMEs identify false content and respond with confidence.

Location: NatWest Accelerator, Birmingham

Cyber Quest

Cyber Quest - 6 February 2026

SME Cyber Escape Game was an interactive workshop designed to help small and medium-sized businesses explore cyber security challenges through practical, scenario-based activities. The session created an engaging space for collaboration, problem-solving and discussion, encouraging participants to think critically about cyber risks and how to strengthen resilience within their organisations.

Location: John Cadbury House, Aston University

Cyber Advice Corner

Cyber Advice Corner - 24 February/3 March 2026

Cyber Advice Corner was a drop-in advice session designed to give small and medium-sized businesses access to practical cyber security support in an informal and accessible setting. The session created space for one-to-one conversations, helping attendees discuss their challenges, ask questions and receive straightforward guidance to strengthen their cyber resilience.

Location: NatWest Accelerator, Birmingham

Women Shaping Cyber

Women Shaping Cyber: Luncheon & Roundtable - 5 March 2026

Women Shaping Cyber was a curated luncheon and roundtable event bringing together women leaders and emerging voices from across the cyber security sector. The session created a supportive space for open discussion around leadership, communication, collaboration and the value of diverse perspectives in strengthening cyber resilience, innovation and inclusive approaches to security.

Loctaion: The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham

Into the Shadows

Into the Shadows: How Cybercriminals Target SMEs - 16 March 2026

Into the Shadows was a practical event designed to help small and medium-sized businesses better understand dark web risks, crypto-enabled crime, and the wider cyber threat landscape. Through expert talks, interactive discussion and real-world examples, the session created space for learning, reflection and networking, while helping attendees build awareness of emerging threats and consider practical steps to strengthen cyber resilience within their organisations.

Location: Conference Aston, Birmingham

Explore more

Explore more about Cyber Clinic activity by following our LinkedIn and YouTube accounts.

Contact

For further information about Cyber Clinic, please contact Gosia Dzierdzikowska.

Partners and Funding

The Cyber Clinic was delivered by Aston University’s Centre for Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) in partnership with TechWM. The programme was funded through the WMIP 3.0 Flexible Innovation Fund as part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, supported by Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.