A government body which creates secret technologies to support national security has launched a new drive to work more openly with technology firms and academics.
His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC), has announced an initiative named HMGCC Co-Creation, to be run in a partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
It said the move will allow it to work more closely with companies and institutions at the forefront of technological innovation, and help the UK solve some of the most difficult problems facing all those working in service of the UK’s national security.
HMGCC was established in 1938 and is based at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes. It has been responsible, among other projects, for building secure telecoms solutions to help UK government organisations keep their people safe in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.
It indicated that its work includes developing technologies to support surveillance and investigative techniques by agencies involved in national security.
Keeping the country safe
Its chief executive officer George Williamson said: “We have hundreds of brilliant engineers and technicians here at HMGCC who, over the years, have come up with countless bespoke solutions to enable those striving to keep the country safe in our national security community.
“That amazing work continues and now we also want to ensure we are reaching out to work more closely with external industry and academia, creating a broader hub of engineering excellence.
“Going forward, we are really excited about the opportunities that these new ways of working will offer us, helping us to build on our technical capabilities at a time when the pace of technological advancement is extraordinary.”
Dstl’s chief executive Dr Paul Hollinshead said: “HMGCC Co-Creation is an incredibly important partnership and gives both HMGCC and Dstl a much wider reach to find and work hand-in-hand with the best minds in the industrial and academic community than was possible before to help tackle national security challenges.”
