Nehemiah Housing and Aston University Collaborate to Strengthen Board-Level Cyber Resilience

Nehemiah Housing Association and Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation Centre have collaborated to deliver an interactive cyber security learning session for Nehemiah Board members, supporting the organisation’s strategic commitment to effective governance, risk oversight and organisational resilience.

The session took place as part of Nehemiah’s Board Away Day on Thursday, 2 July 2026, and formed a central part of the Board’s wider development programme focused on emerging strategic risks, including cyber security, artificial intelligence and digital resilience.

Delivered by representatives from Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation Centre, the Cyber Security Escape Game provided Board members with an immersive, scenario-based learning experience. The session simulated a ransomware incident affecting a fictional organisation, requiring participants to work together as a forensic response team to identify stolen accounts, stop encryption, recover a key and restore systems.

For Aston University, the session provided an opportunity to apply its cyber security expertise in a practical governance setting, helping to build awareness and capability among organisational leaders operating in a complex and fast-changing digital environment.

The collaboration also reflects the importance of partnerships between housing providers and academic institutions in addressing emerging risks. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Boards are increasingly required to understand how digital risk connects to service resilience, regulatory assurance, organisational sustainability and the protection of residents, staff and systems.

Nehemiah Housing and Aston University will use the learning from the session to support ongoing conversations about cyber awareness, strategic risk management and future readiness.

“Cyber security is a strategic leadership issue and an increasingly important part of effective governance. This collaboration between Nehemiah Housing and Aston University gave Board members a practical opportunity to explore the impact of cyber risk in a realistic and engaging way. The session reinforced the importance of informed oversight, organisational resilience, shared learning and collective responsibility in protecting services, systems and the communities Nehemiah serves.”