BT is continuing its move towards security with the opening of what it calls a "state-of-the-art cyber security operations center" in Belfast.
Located in BT's flagship Riverside Tower building in Belfast, the Security Operations Centre (SOC) is designed to "leverage BT's global security expertise and leading cyber technologies" to protect the public and private sectors from all forms of cyber attack, which it says is growing (as many companies involved in the industry seem to have concluded). companies involved in the industry seem to have concluded).
The opening of the new facility follows the award of a £6.3 million contract by the Treasury to provide Security Information Event Management (SIEM) and SOC hosting services. We are told that the department will provide "24/7 management of ICT assets across the Northern Ireland Civil Service", 365 days a year.
It is part of a wider multi-million pound investment in the building by BT, with all 11 floors currently being refurbished to create a new workplace for 1,800 people, due for completion early next year.
"Every day, millions of people around the world rely on BT's expertise in cyber security to ensure they can live and run their businesses safely," said Paul Murnaghan, regional director of BT's Northern Ireland corporate business. "Our investment in opening the BT Security Operations Centre in Belfast is significant and we look forward to working with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to provide the most effective cyber support to the public sector here.
"Leveraging the vast talent from local cyber experts, the SOC will help meet the unprecedented challenges posed by complex cyber threats. As more and more public services are delivered online, our work with central government will help ensure that the public can trust the services they access and that the data they provide is secure and protected."
In a recent reshuffle at the top of BT, there appears to be a desire to make security a more important part of the group's strategy. Chief technology officer Howard Watson was appointed chief security and network officer, and his reshuffled network organization will include: network services, strategy and research, network and information security, operational resilience and service management, security transformation, and health, safety and environment.
The reorganization also resulted in the departure of Chief Architect Neil McRae. Check out the latest episode of the Telecoms.com podcast, where we take a deeper look at the reorganization and what it means for BT's security trajectory.
