When Cybersecurity Meets Sustainability

When was the last time you heard cybersecurity and sustainability in the same sentence?

At the Sustain X Leadership Summit 2025, where I joined as a guest delegate for Xperience Group, our table’s discussion naturally turned to digital sustainability, an area too often left out of the ESG and sustainability conversation.

The Digital Dimension of Sustainability

We often frame sustainability through environmental lenses focusing on net zero, climate resilience, nature positive, but the digital landscape is now inseparable from the sustainability agenda. Managing cyber risk is not just about technology. It’s about governance, social equity, and economic resilience.

Under the UK Government’s previous PPN 06/20 Social Value Guidance*, cybersecurity was recognised as a model award criteria (key performance indicator) in the “Tackling Economic Inequality” policy outcome, aimed at increasing supply chain resilience and capacity.

* now superseded with PPN 002: Taking account of social value in the award of contracts.

The Economic Reality of Cyber Risk

With 74% of large businesses and 70% of medium-sized firms reporting cyber incidents last year, the impact is clear, cyber threats cost the UK economy billions and undermine both operational continuity and stakeholder trust.

Earlier this year, the Cyber Governance Code of Practice was introduced from Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, National Cyber Security Centre and Feryal Clark MP.

This new framework provides direction for boards and directors to manage digital risks effectively, calling for strong leadership, transparent governance, and accountability at every level. Digital resilience is now a core part of organisational sustainability, not a technical afterthought.

Our table agreed that choosing the right partners to support cyber governance must be tailored to the needs and context of each business. Equally, embedding awareness across teams is now fundamental to building sustainable, future-ready operations. Digital resilience is now a core part of organisational sustainability, not a technical afterthought.

Back to the Summit and the Speakers

The Sustain X Leadership Summit took place on Monday 20th October at ICC Belfast, facilitated by the non-profit Management and Leadership Network (MLN) and supported by cross-sector partners including Danske Bank, Belfast City Council, ICC Belfast, Carbonfit, and the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE).

The event brought together leaders from organisations of all shapes, sizes, and sectors to explore, exchange, and challenge thinking on sustainability, from climate and energy to governance, leadership, and innovation.

The Summit featured an inspiring line-up of voices, each offering powerful insight into the intersection of sustainability and leadership, the very reason I was there. My key takeaways include:

Dr Tara Shine, Environmental scientist and climate negotiator, reminding us that “we can change things” when we lead with empathy and courage.

Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, former Environment Secretary and Chair of the Climate Change Committee, reinforced that practical business sense demands sustainable action and challenged us to rethink “good business".

Mary Robinson, First Female President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner, joining virtually, with her recognisable clarity and compassion, urging climate action rooted in justice and shared humanity.

Vicky Davies OBE, CEO of Danske Bank, connected purpose-led leadership, cultural behavioural change with data-driven accountability.

Professor David Rooney, Dean of Internationalisation and Reputation within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at QUB and Director of the CASE, highlighted innovation through energy intelligence and systems thinking to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.

Michael Kelly, Irish Social Entrepreneur, Author and Broadcaster, reminding us that community-based action can drive large-scale social and environmental change.

The Common Thread

From Dr Tara Shine to Mary Robinson, Lord Deben, Vicky Davies OBE, Professor David Rooney, and Michael Kelly, each speaker echoed a shared truth, sustainability is no longer a side initiative, it’s the foundation of resilient, ethical, and intelligent leadership. It’s an intentional and purposeful approach that enables organisations to anticipate risk, strengthen governance, and build operations fit for the future.