Cybersecurity professionals from across Northern Ireland gathered at Titanic Belfast on February 13 for Check Point Software‘s second Cyber Leader Summit, a high-profile event aimed at strengthening Ireland’s digital defences. The summit brought together government officials, business leaders, and security experts to address pressing cyber threats, explore cutting-edge resilience strategies, and discuss the future of cybersecurity in the region.
The event opened with remarks from Seamus McCorry, Country Manager for Ireland at Check Point Software, who underscored the importance of collaboration in enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity posture. His introduction set the stage for a keynote address from Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Minister for the Economy, who highlighted Belfast’s rapid growth as a cybersecurity hub, with more than 120 national and international companies establishing cyber teams in the region. She also outlined government-backed initiatives such as the £5 million Founder Labs programme and the £16 million Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, designed to drive innovation and maintain Northern Ireland’s global competitiveness.
“As the number one destination for American foreign direct investment in cyber security, Belfast is a fitting venue for this conference. Importantly, the city acts as a catalyst for economic development right across the region,” said Dr. Archibald. “The success of this industry, its potential for further growth, and the high quality of jobs it creates means that software and cyber have been identified as one of my department’s priority sectors. An action plan, co-designed with the industry, was published last year and is now being implemented. The plan focuses on enhancing growth, improving collaboration, responding to the industry’s skills requirements, nurturing innovation, and better coordinating trade and investment. This conference represents a really valuable opportunity for leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges we face, to learn from each other, and to build contacts across government, industry, and academia.”
The summit featured a series of expert-led discussions on the latest cybersecurity trends and challenges. Deryck Mitchelson, Head of the Global CISO Team and C-Suite Advisor at Check Point Software, delivered a “State of the Nation” address, providing insights into the current threat landscape and the necessity for proactive defence measures. Kieron McCorry, National Technology Officer at Microsoft, spoke on “Navigating the Cyber Security Landscape in Ireland,” offering strategies to counter evolving digital threats, while Neil Redmond, Director of Cyber Security at PwC, shared insights on regulatory developments and compliance challenges.
One of the day’s most thought-provoking sessions focused on the role of AI in cybersecurity. Charlotte Wilson, Head of Enterprise Accounts at Check Point Software, led a discussion on AI diversity and bias, a critical issue as artificial intelligence continues to reshape security operations.
A key highlight of the summit was a panel discussion on Northern Ireland’s cybersecurity landscape, moderated by Deryck Mitchelson. The session featured industry experts Lorraine Harrison (GRAHAM Construction), Joanne English (NI Cyber Cluster), and Terence Nichol (Ulster University), who explored the region’s evolving threat landscape, regulatory shifts, and the ongoing cybersecurity skills gap. Emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration between businesses, academia, and government, the panel reinforced the importance of innovation in mitigating cyber risks.
Attendees also had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with Check Point’s integrated security solutions during interactive “Security in Action” demonstrations, showcasing the latest advancements in endpoint, network, and cloud security.
Closing the event, Seamus McCorry reaffirmed Check Point’s commitment to strengthening digital resilience across Ireland. “Today’s summit underscores our mission to provide comprehensive security solutions that meet the demands of an evolving threat landscape. Together, we can establish a security framework that not only defends against current threats but anticipates and mitigates future risks.”
The Belfast summit marked another milestone in Check Point Software’s ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity collaboration, ensuring that organisations across Ireland remain protected in an increasingly complex digital environment.
