Grow in Cork: Ground-Breaking Nationwide Cybersecurity Cluster Launches in Cork, Ireland

Monday 20th May 2019 is the official launch for Ireland’s national Cybersecurity Cluster Initiative, Cyber Ireland.

CORK, Ireland--()--The Project aims to put Ireland on the map globally as an interconnected, top-flight hub for cybersecurity talent and expertise. With the support of Ireland’s foreign direct investment agency IDA Ireland, Cork Institute of Technology one of the country’s top ranked education facilities and a multitude of industry experts, the initiative is the very first of its kind ever seen on the island.

Dr Eoin Byrne, Cyber Ireland Cluster Manager remarked; ‘Cyber Ireland was created with the aim of strengthening the influence and reach of the industrial, academic and government networks and programmes which already exist in the Cyber Security sector across Ireland’

The launch will be held in the south-west of Ireland in Cork. Speakers include Minister David Stanton, Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration in the Irish Government, representatives from IDA Ireland, Dr Richard Browne of National Cyber Security Centre, IBM’s Carmel Somers, Joanne O’Connor from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Pat Larkin of Ward Solutions and Jacky Fox of Deloitte.

The national cluster was born from a business forum so the roll-out of the calendar of events is by the industry, for the industry. The Cybersecurity sector in Ireland is growing at a rapid pace, with the country quickly garnering an international reputation as the place for cyber and tech companies from start-ups, SMEs and multi-nationals to do business. With one of the highest numbers of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduate enrolments in the EU-28 and already home to software giants such as Microsoft, Intel and Google, Cyber Ireland will enhance the future of Cybersecurity in Ireland.

Cyber Ireland Hosted in Cork – A Leading Hub for Global Cybersecurity Companies

Cork has become a globally recognised cybersecurity hub; the home to Cyber companies from disruptive start-ups to internationally known brands such as McAfee, IBM and Trend Micro. Over 1000 skilled professionals currently work in the Cybersecurity sector in Cork, and there are over 10,000+ tech graduates from University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology.

Byrne further explained; ‘We are very excited about the future for Cyber Ireland and the impact it will have on bringing together innovative knowledge from across the island. With such a rapidly growing Cyber Security industry flourishing in Cork, it was the perfect place to launch the initiative’

Chair of Grow in Cork, Mr James Fogarty said; “We are very proud that Cork is the host location for this important national programme. Cork's highly skilled talent pool is core to the region’s success. That is why our higher education institutions are leading the way in this sector, with the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) hosting cutting-edge cybersecurity systems research, while the University College Cork (UCC) collaborates with international companies on security projects. Add to that, the growing number of cyber security companies already based here, we are cementing our position as the Cyber Security capital of Ireland.”

The Official Launch event will commence the wider Cyber Ireland strategy, vision and mission for the next two years and launch cluster membership for both firms and organisations.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Grow in Cork is an economic platform which aims to promote Cork, Ireland globally as a place to do business through inward investment into the location. Grow in Cork has been developed by Cork City and Cork County Councils in partnership with a range of private and public sector stakeholders.

Cyber Ireland is a national cybersecurity cluster, funded by IDA Ireland and hosted in Cork Institute of Technology. It is a first of its kind state agency initiative which aims to connect industry, academia and government to support the growing industry across Ireland to the world.

Cyber Ireland Official Launch will be at Vertigo at Cork County Hall (capacity 150 seating & 180 standing) from 2.50pm to 4.15pm on 20th May 2019.

For more information visit www.growincork.com / www.cyberireland.ie

Contacts

Elmarie McCarthy
Tel: 021 4924794
Email: Elmarie_McCarthy@corkcity.ie

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Contacts

Elmarie McCarthy
Tel: 021 4924794
Email: Elmarie_McCarthy@corkcity.ie