York to host the Real Cyber Awards at Milner Hotel

The event at The Milner Hotel aims to celebrate the best companies and individuals working to keep us all safe online.

Tickets for the awards and a daytime conference are now available and the awards have begun attracting entries.

The event is hosted by Leeds-based Consultants Like Us (CLU) who specialise in helping firms improve their data security.

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The awards are free to enter and those shortlisted win two free tickets to the awards dinner.

CLU co-founder Gary Hibberd said: “Our desire was to create something that would be educational, inspiring and entertaining. The awards are affordable and accessible to everyone and doesn’t just recognise those who have the biggest marketing budgets.”

The event sponsor, Knowbe4, is a cybersecurity awareness training company that is keen to support firms in exceptional cybersecurity.

KnowBe4 marketing manager Rachel Parr said: “Knowbe4 offers a comprehensive AI-driven ‘best of suite’ platform for human risk management.

“This fits well with the event’s theme, which is ‘From Human Error to Human Advantage: Redefining Risk in a People-First Security World’.”

Lee Scorey and Gary Hibberd (Image: Pic supplied)

New for 2026, CLU are combining the awards event with a daytime conference, including an exciting conference stage and exhibition space. CLU co-founder Lee Scorey said: “Cybersecurity is such a fast-paced industry with change happening almost on an hourly basis, especially with the rise of AI.

“Staying ahead of threats and employing best practice relies on the sector being curious and asking the right questions. Our speakers and exhibitors will help push these conversations forward and inspire companies and individuals.”

Other main sponsors including local York IT company, Techscend, alongside other Yorkshire companies Prove Privacy, Vorago Security and Bristol based Tempo Audits, with judges drawn from experts across the cybersecurity industry. Categories range from celebrating great IT businesses to podcasts, blogs and books.

Thomas Siron, founder of Techscend, said “This major event coming to York is an opportunity to raise awareness of cybersecurity but also another chance to put York on the map for the IT and business sector.”

The awards evening promises to be a glitzy, but fun, event that celebrates the unsung heroes who work tirelessly to prevent cybercrime.

The organisers hope this event will help increase York’s profile as a great destination for business events and that the event will grow into a multiple day event in the future.

Local organisations like Make it York, York St John’s University and York College are also involved as event sponsors, with a few sponsor packages still available.

To enter, buy tickets or sponsor, go to therealcyberawards.co.uk.