NWCRC team wins partnership award for supporting care homes

The North West Cyber Resilience Centre team has been recognised for their outstanding partnership work, winning a Partnership Award at the 2025 North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) awards last week. 

On the night, our team members - Niomie Haynes, Paul Benson, Morgan Oakes and Lewis Desmond - were presented with an award for their work in collaboration with Digital Care Hub. They delivered a project that provided vital cyber vulnerability assessments for 10 care homes across the North West.

This project tackled critical cyber security risks in the care sector which faces unique challenges due to limited resources and the sensitive nature of the data it holds. 

The team overcame tight deadlines and logistical hurdles to complete all assessments within four weeks, identifying 117 vulnerabilities, 33 of which are high risk. 

DI Dan Giannasi, who leads the team, said: “Winning this award is a proud achievement for the NWCRC team and a mark of the incredible collaboration between our cyber experts and the care sector. It reflects the effort, expertise and commitment of the team as they continue to support organisations across the region.”

Alongside technical assessments, the team delivered webinars and follow-up support to help the care homes understand and act on the findings. Their approach empowered non-technical staff to make informed decisions and improve cyber resilience. 

The project was led by Niomie Haynes and Paul Benson, with technical delivery by Morgan Oakes and Lewis Desmond. The project also provided over 100 hours of hands-on experience for the NWCRC’s student cohort, helping to build future cyber talent in the region. 

Through this project, our team provided a clear picture of the digital vulnerabilities facing these care homes and offered practical advice to strengthen their defences. By embedding cyber resilience into care settings, the project has not only protected data and systems but also given staff more confidence in their ability to respond to potential threats.

Overall, this is an excellent example of teamwork, innovation, partnership working and making a real difference in protecting vital services. Beyond the technical assessments, the NWCRC team has built strong relationships with care providers and helped them engage more meaningfully with cyber resilience. The work done during the project will continue to benefit the care homes well into the future.