GCHQ backs university security team

A South Wales IT security team has been given the thumbs up from the government’s communications and intelligence headquarters (GCHQ).

The computer forensics master’s degree will be offered by the University of South Wales at the new National Cyber Security Academy on its Newport campus. Provisional certification was provided by the Cheltenham-based organisation, according to an announcement this week.

The university ranks among the 14 in the UK that will receive certification. However, it stands alone as offering a Master’s qualification in computer forensics.

Alun Cairns, Welsh Secretary, welcomed the news, believing that the certification will do wonders for Wales regarding its reputation in higher education.

Professor Julie Lydon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, said:

“Cyber security is ranked by the UK Government alongside terrorism, military crises, and natural disasters as major national security threats, and it costs private businesses many millions each year.

“Both industry and government understand the growing need for the right skills to conquer these threats.”

The new academy is a collaboration between the government and technology companies such as QinetiQ, General Dynamics, and Airbus, with the goal of training a new generation of IT security pros.

The first class will take place in October.

Welsh businesses may fail to take much notice of this development in the short-term, but in the future, it may just save their business from disaster. Any SME is just one step away from a cyber attack and they need trained professionals to fill cyber security jobs if they want their customer data to remain safe and secure.