Dr Catherine Knibbs PHD Announced as Cyber Citizen of the Year Finalist 2026

Dr Catherine Knibbs today announces she has been named a finalist in the ‘Cyber Citizen of the Year’ category at the National Cyber Awards 2026, with the winners being announced at the Royal Lancaster London on 28th September 2026.

Dr Catherine Knibbs is a consultant child/adult psychotherapist specialising in the effects of online harm. She is a cyberpsychologist, researcher, clinician, author of 7 books and a mum. She created CYBERTRAUMA™ theory after her own children were exposed to graphic and gory media on a flip phone in 2010.

She is the CEO of the Children and Tech training academy where professionals can learn how to apply cyberethics and cybertrauma theory to child protection and safeguarding systems in
their setting.  

The National Cyber Awards recognise the individuals, teams and organisations
driving meaningful progress in cybersecurity across the UK, spanning innovation,
leadership and real-world impact. The event brings together leaders from across
industry, government, law enforcement and academia at a time when cyber threats
continue to evolve, and the need for resilience across organisations and critical
infrastructure has never been greater.

Reaching the shortlist is a recognition of Dr Catherine Knibb’s contribution to UK
cybersecurity, selected from a competitive field of entries from across the sector.

Dr Catherine Knibbs comments,
“The digital world is not a neutral space for children.
The risks they face online are not just technical they are emotional, psychological,
and often invisible to the adults around them. I've spent my career trying to build the
language, the frameworks, and the professional understanding to address that. So,
to be recognised within the cybersecurity community with this nomination specifically
feels significant. It tells me the conversation is shifting.”

Thank you to those that nominated me and for the people supporting this work, and
who continue to show up for children in the digital world. I look forward to the event
in September and meeting the other finalists.”

Professor Richard Benham, Founder of the National Cyber Awards and Chair of Future Tech Events: "We are pleased to recognise Dr Catherine Knibbs as a finalist
in the National Cyber Awards 2026. The calibre of entries this year reflects the
breadth and depth of work happening across the UK to keep individuals,
organisations and critical systems secure. Cybersecurity depends on people and
teams who often operate without recognition, these awards exist to change that. We
look forward to celebrating with Dr Catherine Knibbs and all of this year's finalists".

For more information, visit:
www.thenationalcyberawards.org
www.catherineknibbs.co.uk

For further press information, interviews or photography please contact Sarah
Sawrey-Cookson: [email protected]