BT has unveiled its new state-of-the-art cyber Security Operations Centre (SOC) in its flagship Riverside Tower building in Belfast.
The opening follows a £6.3 million contract win from the Department of Finance for the provision of a Security Information Event Management (SIEM) and SOC managed services.
The new centre is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and is designed to help grow the company’s UK customer base providing up to the highest levels of security classification.
The SOC forms part of a wider multi-million pound investment by BT in the building as all 11 floors are being refurbished to create a brand new workplace for around 1800 colleagues- with the final floors expected to be completed in early 2023.
As cyber attacks are increasing in complexity and scale, the SOC aims to leverage BT’s global security expertise and cyber technologies to defend sectors against new threats.
Paul Murnaghan, Regional Director for BT’s Enterprise business in Northern Ireland, said: “Each day, millions of people around the world rely on BT’s expertise in cyber security to ensure they can go about their lives and run their businesses safely.
“Our investment in the opening of BT’s Security Operations Centre in Belfast is significant and we look forward to working with the Northern Ireland Civil Service in this partnership to deliver the most effective cyber support for the public sector here.
“Using a wealth of talent from local cyber experts, the SOC will help to tackle the unprecedented challenges of sophisticated cyber threats. As an increasing number of public services are delivered online, our partnership with the central government will help to ensure that the public can trust the services that they access and that the data they provide is secure and protected.”