NI cyber-security industry estimated at £70m in salaries

New statistics from research at Queen's University Belfast shows that the cyber-security employment in Northern Ireland is on course to hit £70m in salaries per year.

The cyber-security industry has been growing rapidly in Northern Ireland over the past several years, with innovative cyber-security startups such as SaltDNA and Uleska competing in a globally competitive environment. Major foreign firms such as Imperva haven even chosen Belfast to base their cyber-security operations from, and the industry shows no signs of slowing down.

At a major Cyber Security Summit yesterday in Belfast, Professor Máire O’Neill from Queen’s University Belfast outlined some impressive statistics on the industry, showing that Northern Ireland is on course to reach over £70m per year in cyber-security salaries and will soon employ almost 1,700 people.

Professor O’Neill also presented a recent CSIT research paper on safety and security analysis for cyber-physical systems, which was awarded the globally recognised Dr KW Wong Annual Best paper Award. The paper was recognised by the international Journal of Information Security and Applications and won the award based on its originality and impact in the field.

Professor O’Neill said: "This is an extremely exciting time for cyber security in Northern Ireland but also for the sector globally. There are significant economic benefits for the local economy, with estimated salaries now at around £70 million each year. At CSIT, our researchers are leading cutting-edge research in cyber security. We are also developing the next generation of industry leaders to meet the huge demand from industry for cyber security professionals."