Forging links with cyber security firm

An American cyber security company which has links with the University's School of Computer Science & Informatics is set to bring more than 100 jobs to South Wales.

Alert Logic, based in Texas, announced this week that they will be creating almost 130 jobs when they open a new European HQ in Cardiff and a UK data centre in Newport.

They were drawn to the area for a number of reasons including its skilled workforce and local universities which research cyber security.

Professor Omer Rana, who leads the MSc in Information Security & Privacy at the School of Computer Science & Informatics, forged links with Alert Logic when they were making the decision of where to expand the company, and also introduced one of their tools – a log analyser for the Cloud Trail system – to the School.

"It is wonderful to see an internationally leading company like Alert Logic come to Cardiff," said Professor Rana. "With the emerging use of Cloud-based services, and the need to protect users within public Cloud offerings, the security tools from Alert Logic will be essential.

"Cardiff University's School of Computer Science & Informatics is already making use of tools from Alert Logic for developing an audit trail of use within public Cloud systems. Such an audit trail enables users to understand what happens to their services on public Cloud systems, thereby increasing the level of trust that a user may have in such systems.

"Alert Logic will provide significant opportunity for the rapidly growing Cybersecurity research in Wales."

Alert Logic plans to recruit 50 researchers and analysts this year followed by further recruitment in 2015. It is keen to develop strong links with Cardiff's universities and schools to foster young technology talent.  

Gray Hall, CEO at Alert Logic said: "We selected Cardiff after reviewing options in other UK and European cities. The city's readiness to ensure we could establish our EMEA HQ quickly and support from the Welsh Government easily meant Cardiff became the obvious location. We look forward to playing our part in the economy of this vibrant and promising capital city and contributing towards its vision of becoming an IT Security centre of excellence."

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: "South Wales has a high concentration of active and innovative companies and university expertise in the Trust & Security sector.  The region has a growing recognition as one of the primary locations in the UK for the research, development and commercialisation of security products and services.  This major inward investment project will significantly enhance our reputation and importantly offer quality, well paid jobs."

Alert Logic will take up temporary accommodation at the Business Technology Centre on Cardiff University's campus, before finding a permanent home within the Cardiff Enterprise Zone.