Net-Defence, a national leader in cybersecurity, IT managed services, and telephony, has been named ‘Cybersecurity Company of the Year’ at the prestigious 2026 Tyne & Wear Business Awards.
The regional accolade recognises the SME’s ongoing commitment to building robust business resilience for companies across the North East. Part of the Ogilvie Group, Net-Defence operates head offices in Gateshead and Stirling, providing tailored, full-service cyber and IT support for businesses across all sectors.
This recognition follows a period of impressive growth and strategic service expansion. After achieving an extraordinary 44% revenue growth in 2025, Net-Defence launched its pioneering ‘Business Resilience as a Service’ (BRaaS) model. The initiative continues to provide a flexible and accessible solution for Tyne and Wear businesses seeking to protect their operations in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Reflecting on the win, Debra Cairns, Managing Director of Net-Defence, said:
“As a business deeply rooted in our local community, this recognition means the world to us. More than anything, it is a testament to the sheer dedication of our team. Every day, they show up to make business resilience straightforward, accessible, and human-centric for our customers.”
Beyond its commercial success, Net-Defence has been actively strengthening its regional links by embedding itself within the North East’s core industries. The cyber and IT specialists regularly host educational and interactive networking events designed to demystify cyber threats for local business leaders.
Recognising the specific vulnerabilities facing professional services and manufacturing, Net-Defence has partnered with a number of prominent North East legal practices to safeguard firms and their clients from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Furthermore, the company has recently joined regional networks such as the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA). Through this partnership, Net-Defence provides advice on mitigating supply chain risk.
As Cybersecurity Company of the Year, Net-Defence is poised to continue its proactive mission, driving collaboration and fortifying the digital defences of the North East business community throughout 2026 and beyond.
