Queen’s creates 10 new jobs in cyber security industry

QUEEN’S University Belfast will create 10 new research and engineering jobs to meet the demands of new contracts and the rapidly growing cyber security industry in Northern Ireland.

The announcement was made as industry leaders, start-ups, SMEs, government policy makers and researchers from around the world gather at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) for the two-day annual World Cyber Security Summit.

The summit is focusing on security for a future digital society and the growth of new cyber security companies.

CSIT, which is the UK’s lead university centre for the commercialisation of cyber security research, is housed at Queen’s University’s institute of electronics, communications and information technology.

The jobs, which range from graduate level to principal engineer, will focus on creating industry-viable products to crack down on cyber attacks and make networks more resilient.

Around 1,100 people are employed in the cyber security industry in Northern Ireland with 80 staff currently employed at CSIT.

Director of CSIT Dr Godfrey Gaston said: “The cyber security industry in Northern Ireland is growing rapidly and we are pleased to be recruiting 10 new research and engineering staff, who will make a positive impact across the globe, ensuring that networks are more resilient and less likely to be attacked.

“It is also a welcome boost for the local economy in Northern Ireland.

“At CSIT, our experts work closely with many high profile partners to shape and direct the research agenda and ensure that there is strong commercial and societal impact.

“With graduate level jobs to principal engineer, we are helping to develop the next generation of industry leaders to address the widespread demand for cyber security professionals and technologies.”