Northern Ireland Has a Thriving Cyber Security Sector

Northern Ireland’s cyber security sector is making an increasingly important contribution to the local economy, Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has said.

Speaking at the World Cyber Security Technology Research Summit, hosted by Queen’s University’s Centre for Secure Information Technology (CSIT), the Minister said the sector supported around 900 jobs and had grown by a third within the last year.

Arlene Foster added: “Today’s event presents an exciting opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland’s emerging research within this fast growing security sector.

“In line with my Department’s Innovation Strategy and through collaboration with industrial partners who are either in cyber security or seeking to enact commercial projects in this area, CSIT is engaged in ground breaking academic research that is leading to a wider range of commercial outcomes and benefits.

“The lead provided by CSIT in cyber security technologies enhances Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world leader for innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.”

The summit brings together attendees from around the world including participants from leading research centres, government policy makers, industry and cyber security experts. They focus on combating the risks associated with cyber attack and promote issues related to cyber security which threaten the fabric of everyday life, including economic issues and national and international security.

By 2016, it is estimated the UK market for cyber security will be worth over £9billion and globally the market is predicted to grow to almost £45billion.

Source: investni.com