The cyber security industry in Northern Ireland is on course to generate salaries of over £70 million each year employing almost 1,700 people.
This was revealed by Professor Make O’Neill from Queen’s University Belfast during a major Cyber Security Summit held recently in Belfast.
Professor O’Neill also announced that CSIT research has been recognised by the International Journal of Information Security and Applications. The research, which looked at the safety and security analysis for cyber-physical systems, has been awarded the globally prestigious Dr KW Wong Annual Best Paper Award for its originality and impact.
The news comes as industry leaders, start-ups, SMEs, government policy makers and researchers from around the world have come together for the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) at Queen’s 9th World Cyber Security Technology Research Summit.
Professor O’Neill commented: “This is an extremely exciting time for cyber security in Northern Ireland but also for the sector globally. There are significant economic benefits for the local economy, with estimated salaries now at around £70 million each year.
“At CSIT, our researchers are leading cutting edge research in cyber security. We are also developing the next generation of industry leaders to meet the huge demand from industry for cyber security professionals.”
For researchers and technologists, the event will focus on Secure Connected Intelligence in areas such as the Internet of Things, industrial control systems and supply chains. For the commercially minded, it represents an opportunity to learn from, and contribute to, the growth of new cyber security companies with global ambitions.