The Welsh Government is working with technology company Thales to establish a £20 million cyber centre as part of its Tech Valleys programme.
Economy Minister Ken Skates announced the creation of the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) as the first research and development facility of its kind in Wales, saying it will support SMEs and microbusinesses in testing and developing their digital concepts.
It will also provide a research lab in which multinational companies can work on technology advances and will connect Wales to major tech centres across the UK and globally.
The NDEC will be located in Blaenau Gwent and delivered by Thales in collaboration with the University of South Wales (USW).
USW will run an Advanced Cyber Institute at the centre as a base for high level academic research and operate a Digital Education Centre that pass on protective skills to SMEs, schools and individuals.
Both the Welsh Government and Thales have committed £10 million each to the project, which is expected to generate significant income and become fully self-sufficient within five years.
Exploit opportunities
Skates said: “The centre will help ensure that Wales exploits the global opportunities of digital transformation, provide a base for ground breaking research and will equip businesses of all shapes and sizes with the skills and knowledge they need to win a greater share of large regional and national projects.
“I am confident that through our partnership with Thales and the University of South Wales we will work to stimulate and create employment in high value technology businesses - an ambition that is right at the heart of our Tech Valleys project.”
The Tech Valleys project is a key commitment of the Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys.
Image from gov.wales, Open Government Licence
