Location: McConnell’s Distillery Belfast
October marks Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time when organisations across Northern Ireland come together to spotlight the importance of digital safety, resilience, and innovation. This year’s theme, “Secure Our World”, encouraged practical steps for individuals and businesses to protect themselves online, from phishing awareness and password hygiene to multi-factor authentication and software updates.
Northern Ireland’s cyber ecosystem is thriving, with Belfast emerging as a hub for innovation, inclusion, and strategic investment. Initiatives like CyberNI Week earlier this year showcased over 37 events across government, industry, and academia, reinforcing the region’s commitment to building a cyber-resilient future
On 23rd October 2025, the historic halls of McConnell’s Distillery at Crumlin Road Jail echoed not with the clinks of whiskey glasses alone, but with the voices of cybersecurity leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. Hosted by KBS Group in partnership with Barracuda, the Spirit of Security event brought together the best of Belfast’s heritage and the future of digital resilience.
A Venue Steeped in Symbolism
As Shane O’Reilly opened the event, he reminded attendees that the venue once a site of confinement now stood for innovation, collaboration, and resilience. It was a fitting metaphor for the cybersecurity journey: breaking free from reactive defence and embracing proactive, culture-driven protection.
Cyber Resilience in the Modern Workplace
The theme of the day Cyber Resilience in the Modern Workplace was explored through expert talks, live demos, and interactive sessions. Speakers from KBS and Barracuda tackled real-world threat scenarios, secure collaboration strategies, and the evolving role of managed service providers in delivering cybersecurity not just as a product, but as a mindset
“The Spirit of Security is more than a theme, it’s a mindset,” said Conor O’Reilly during the Bridging Vision and Vigilance presentation. “Resilience, readiness, and responsibility are the foundation of effective cybersecurity today.”
Regional Threats: JD Hamill’s Perspective
One of the standout moments came from JD Hamill, who delivered a compelling segment on the regional cyber threat landscape. Drawing from recent threat intelligence and local case studies, JD highlighted how Northern Ireland’s businesses are increasingly targeted by phishing campaigns, ransomware, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
“Cybersecurity isn’t just a global issue, it’s a local one,” JD emphasised. “We’re seeing a rise in region-specific attacks that exploit cultural and operational blind spots. Our job is to close those gaps before they’re breached.”
His presentation underscored the importance of proactive threat hunting, 24/7 monitoring, and community-driven defence strategies.
Barracuda XDR Live Demo & Q&A
The event’s technical highlight was the live demo of Barracuda’s XDR platform, showcasing how extended detection and response can unify visibility across endpoints, email, cloud workloads, and servers.
Attendees watched real-time threat simulations and saw how Barracuda’s AI-driven platform:
- Detects phishing, ransomware, and zero-day attacks
- Automates remediation across multiple attack surfaces
- Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365
The Q&A session that followed was lively and insightful. Questions ranged from deployment timelines to integration with legacy systems, and Barracuda’s team provided clear, actionable answers that reinforced their commitment to simplicity and scalability.
Strategic Partnership
The collaboration between KBS and Barracuda was a recurring theme. From simplifying licensing models to uncovering blind spots in threat detection, the partnership showcased how shared values, innovation, integrity, and impact can drive meaningful change.
Hospitality Meets Insight
The evening concluded with a distillery tour, whiskey tasting, and informal networking. It was a chance to unwind, reflect, and connect—proving that cybersecurity events can be both educational and experiential.
Looking Ahead
With overwhelmingly positive feedback and strong engagement, the Spirit of Security event set a new benchmark for client engagement and thought leadership. It wasn’t just about showcasing technology—it was about building a community of resilience.
If you missed the event or want to explore how KBS and Barracuda can help your organization strengthen its cyber resilience, get in touch today. Whether you’re looking for a tailored security assessment, a demo of Barracuda XDR, or guidance on regional threat mitigation, our team is ready to support you.
Contact us at and let us know the topics that you would be interested in learning about.
Talk to the security experts today
Protect your network with comprehensive security at a small business price, talk to our experts today.
- Spirit of Security Event – Where Heritage Meets Cyber Resilience
- A simpler way to manage your email security is here
- The need for Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup for Microsoft 365
- Why Barracuda XDR is a Game-Changer for Cybersecurity at KBS Group
- Six essential print security actions every IT Manager needs to take