‘Innovation centre’ will confirm capital’s status as a world leader in the field, according to digital minister Matt Hancock
The new facility in the capital follows the opening of a similar centre in Cheltenham earlier this year Credit: PA
The government is to invest up to £14.5m over the next three years to create a cybersecurity innovation centre that it hopes will establish London as a world leader in the field.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has announced the launch of a competition to obtain government backing to design and manage a new facility in the capital.
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Once open, the innovation centre will unite big technology vendors with start-ups, academics, and government representatives, with all parties working together to develop new security technologies. Start-ups involved will benefit from mentoring and support, the department said.
The establishment of the new site in London follows the opening earlier this year of an innovation centre in Cheltenham. Launched alongside that facility was the GCHQ Cyber Accelerator programme, which seven start-ups completed as part of the scheme’s first cohort. The programme is currently seeking to identify its next intake of young cybersecurity firms, with applications closing on 9 August.
Digital minister Matt Hancock said: “Our investment in a new cyber innovation centre will not only cement [London’s] position as a world leader but also boost the whole country by giving UK firms access to the latest cyber technology and allowing start-ups to get the support they need to develop.”
