Almost just as TalkTalk was announcing that it had suffered a huge data breach, the UK government was unveiling a new showcase for UK cyber security industry.
Based at the Department of Trade and Industry in London, the government- backed UK Cyber Demonstration Centre will allow registered UK firms to demonstrate their capabilities to domestic and worldwide customers.
Customers will be able to find products and services via the new Cyber Growth Partnership (CGP) Exchange, a web portal incorporating a UK Cyber Map, an interactive chart of over 900 specialist UK cyber security businesses searchable by company, technology and/or location. The map was developed by the UK’s Department of Media, Culture and Sport in association with industry body TechUK.
The portal will also list opportunities, articles and initiatives about the sector from government, industry and academia, all in one place, and provide a shop window for cyber security companies to sell their goods and services in the UK and abroad.
At the launch of the exchange at the new facility, UK Minister for Trade and Investment Lord Maude, said: “we usually t talk about cybersecurity in dark and forbidding terms [but] I am delighted that companies in the cyber sector have a facility to demonstrate products to foreign clients and partners. It is important that we can offer them not only this facility but also the advice and support they need to export their technology. The UK is a world leader in this sector and many countries around the world have significant requirements that UK companies can offer high quality solutions”.