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CYBER RUNWAY: CNI

For cyber leaders securing the UK's critical national infrastructure and scaling resilience

Applications
OPEN

Cyber Runway: CNI presents the opportunity for SMEs to play a key role in strengthening the UK’s critical national infrastructure (CNI) against evolving cyber threats. 
 
Led by Plexal, the programme will bridge the gap between cutting-edge UK cyber innovation and the urgent security needs of sectors such as energy, water, telecoms, transportation and data centres. 
 
As part of CNI, we’ll work together to build sovereign cyber capability by accelerating the adoption of British security solutions across CNI sectors, enhancing resilience, regulatory readiness and supply chain integrity. 

CYBER RUNWAY: CNI is for cyber SMEs that are: 

UK-based and offering relevant technologies in areas such as:

  • Zero trust architecture 
  • Cloud security 
  • SCADA security 
  • IoT security 
  • AI and ML 
  • Incident response 
  • CHERI 
Open to participating in virtual sessions and final showcase. 
Validated for engagement with CNI buyers (via third party screening). 



Key dates

TUESDAY 30th September

Applications open

FRIDAY 10th October

Applications close

W/C MONDAY 3rd NOVEMBER

Successful applicants notified

TUESDAY 11th NOVEMBER

Needs Accelerator Event

CNI is for industry fellows that are: 

  • Senior decision makers (such as CISOs) from CNI sectors. 
  • Members of relevant CISO networks or those aligned with SME solutions. 
  • Committed to attending all programme sessions. 
  • Willing to collaborate with SMEs and contribute to shaping the innovation landscape. 

Why cyber SMEs should apply for CNI: 

Validated for engagement with CNI buyers (via third party screening)

Accelerated market access: Curated adoption pathway into CNI sectors with support on solution design, pre-sales and regulatory alignment

Investor-ready validation: Pre-screening by investment advisors to ensure readiness for procurement and scale

Direct buyer access: Showcase to pre-validated CNI buyers at a closed, in-person event

Secure growth strategy: Support in building resilience, accessing trusted capital and navigating secure growth

CNI is for industry fellows that are: 

Innovation discovery: Exposure to pre-vetted UK cyber solutions tailored to sector-specific challenges

Regulatory awareness: Insights into upcoming regulatory obligations across the supply chain

Supply chain resilience: Tools and advice to strengthen due diligence and security posture

Peer learning and collaboration: Interactive sessions and ecosystem events to foster cross-sector knowledge sharing

Customised support: Tailored sessions based on real-world challenges identified through the needs accelerator