Based on Skylon Park, Hereford’s Enterprise Zone, the Midlands Centre for Cyber Security will be a key player in the Cyber Valley that spans across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire and is home to 15% of the UK’s top 600 cyber companies. Backed by the expert academic team from the Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute, the centre will support businesses, develop their skill sets and lead in cyber security testing, research and development.
The new Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security provides a single hub for cyber security needs for small or large business. The trail-blazing project is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council, part-funded by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Midlands Centre for Cyber Security aims to:
- Be a world leading facility and a global leader in cybersecurity innovation
- Share best practice excellence through international collaboration and partnerships
- Provide funded support to businesses facing emerging cyber security challenges
- Provide world leading testing facilities for businesses to test their smart technology and infrastructure
- Be a home for companies within the cyber and IT sector
- Be a world leading facility and a global leader in cybersecurity innovation
- Support the commercial potential of newly developed cyber innovations with the latest product and process development
- Continue to improve the safer use of the Internet for societal benefit
- Host specialist cyber training and industry events
Herefordshire Council Leader David Hitchiner and Herefordshire Enterprise Zone Chairman Andrew Manning Cox were among a group of councillors and business representatives given an update on progress of the Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security earlier in the autumn of 2021.
The centre is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council and part-funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund, via the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Councillor Hitchiner said: “It was marvellous to see the new Midlands Centre for Cyber Security taking shape. The progress of construction in a matter of months is remarkable and it was a joy to be given a tour of the site and visualise the inspirational structure that it will become.
“The centre is a key investment to support the creation of high-income, knowledge-based jobs in the county. We are already home to a highly regarded cyber economy, and the knowledge, expertise and opportunities that the centre brings will help to establish Herefordshire as one of the capitals of the cyber security sector.”
Zone Chairman and LEP Board Member Andrew Manning Cox said: “This is a trail-blazing project which will boost investment on Skylon Park while supporting businesses to protect themselves from hacking and data disruption.
“The expertise and specialist focus of the centre will be part of a wider, growing campus of cyber sector companies based within the Cyber Quarter on Skylon Park.”
“The shared facilities will also allow private sector businesses to benefit from the university’s networks and expertise as well as make use of the centre’s specialist training rooms and laboratory spaces.”
Adrian Speller, Technical Director of constructor Spellar Metcalfe said: “Despite recent high winds and challenging weather conditions the highly-sustainable timber frame is almost complete, the installation of windows has now started and we are aiming for the building to be watertight early next year.”
Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security will offer a package of tailored security testing, training, R&D and sector expertise to businesses and investors.
Supported by the university’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute (WCRI), the centre will also be home to 16 cyber SMEs and well as offering product testing and certification, CPD and short courses and cyber conferences attracting experts from across the globe.
Here are a number of photos taken by Cameron M-Hill Photography:
