Beyond the Titanic: Cybersecurity in Northern Ireland

Harland and Wolf cranes, Belfast
Post industrial: cybersecurity is one of Northern Ireland’s growth industries.

Northern Ireland has moved on dramatically since the Good Friday agreement. And its prosperity has been boosted by significant inward investment, much of it in financial services.

But its technology and cybersecurity industry is growing too, even though it attracts less publicity. Firms such as Microsoft and Rapid7 have cybersecurity operations in Northern Ireland. The province has its own, home grown cyber firms. And international businesses now see it as a source of talent.

There’s a few factors behind the growth, including the education system, geography – and Northern Ireland’s status within the EU – as well as connectivity, language and time zones.

But, as our guest this week says, there’s also something about the people of Northern Ireland, that makes them a good fit for the cyber industry.

Simon Whittaker is chair of the steering committee for NI Cyber and head of cyber at Instil. He first moved to Belfast to work in the theatre, but changed careers into technology, and then cyber.

And, he says, the cyber industry in Northern Ireland is well placed for further growth.

Simon Whittaker, NI Cyber

Main image by Angela from Pixabay

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