Report

Northern Ireland Cyber Security Snapshot 2021

CSIT/QUB/Perspective Economics

The Centre for Secure Information Technologies at Queens’ University, Belfast and Perspective Economics has published the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Sector Snapshot 2021.

This report, co-authored by David Crozier (CSIT) and Sam Donaldson & Conor Tinnelly (Perspective Economics), examines the NI cyber sector finds that the Northern Ireland cyber security ecosystem has a unique mix of strengths and offers sufficient scale and depth of expertise which could lead to considerable potential for commercial application.

An international destination for cyber security investment

The growth of the Northern Ireland cyber security ecosystem has arguably been advanced by international interest in the role of Belfast and Derry/Londonderry as cities with emerging technology specialism, backed by the role of CSIT as a key asset with respect to talent pipeline, and collaboration in R&D and engineering projects.

Further, the intensity of Foreign Direct Investment into the Northern Ireland cyber security ecosystem is strong. The United States is a key investment partner, with 37 firms employing 1,432 cyber security professionals (62% of NI based cyber security employment).