Credit: Abertay University

A new publicly funded research and development centre for cybersecurity has opened at Abertay University in Dundee.

The Abertay cyberQuarter is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments through the Tay Cities Region Deal. Westminster provided £5.7m and Holyrood chipped in £5.7m towards the £16m cost of completing the project. The hub, which is the first of its kind for Scotland, will support the rapidly growing cyber sector.  

It aims to create new solutions to local, national, and international cybersecurity challenges, while bringing inclusive economic growth to the area as it supports expansion of existing companies and helps grow new ones.  

The four-floor space is open to businesses, academics, and students and it includes a secure cloud-computing infrastructure for online teaching. National Services Scotland’s cybersecurity arm will be the first to move into the centre, creating 30 new jobs.

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Students on the University’s Ethical Hacking, Computing and Cybersecurity courses will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals in the cyberQuarter, while they bring new ideas to joint projects. 

Abertay University principal Professor Liz Bacon said: “Today is a truly landmark moment for Abertay University as we create a new home for Scotland’s cybersecurity community, around which the sector can be supported to experiment, develop and thrive. This first-class hub will, crucially, help Scotland to retain the huge amount of graduate talent that comes out of Abertay and our partner institutions every year, and will also act as a secure, shared space where new solutions to global cyber challenges can be addressed for the common good.” 

The UK government’s minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The growing use of online platforms, cloud computing and online shopping means cybersecurity is more important than ever. There were more than 400 cyberattacks in Scotland in 2020-21, and more than a million incidents of computer misuse are reported across the UK each year.  

“Abertay was the first UK university to be awarded Academic Centre of Excellence in CyberSecurity Education by the UK Government's National CyberSecurity Centre. The launch of the cyberQuarter further strengthens its reputation as the place to come for research and expertise on cybersecurity - an industry which will bring high-skilled work and investment to the region."