Expanding cyber-security services firm Bridewell has invested in a new security operations centre (SOC) in South Wales.
The project is the company’s largest investment to date and will provide rapid identification and response to threats - providing the Reading headquartered firm with a fivefold increase in capacity.
The SOC forms part of Bridewell’s links with the Welsh cyber sector and educational partners, including Cyber Colleges Cymru, a initiative that creates career pathways in cyber for sixth form students and University of South Wales students being offered the chance to embark on internship or apprenticeship programmes.
For security reasons Bridewell has not disclosed the location of its SOC in South Wales, but it is understood to be in Cardiff.
The company recently announced an expansion to the US with a new office in Houston, Texas, and is currently hiring 10-12 cyber staff a month with headcount set to double in the next 12 months.
Bridewell is also set to open a forensic lab within the SOC next year - an investment that will deepen its digital forensics capability.
The SOC is supporting 50 flexible working roles, a combination of a deployment of existing Bridewell staff and a number of newly created roles. By next year this is expected to rise to 80 with a heavy focus in Wales.
Anthony Young, co-chief executive of Bridwell said; “The new SOC provides significant scale and capability to ensure we can continue to provide our clients a leading managed detection and response service. It will also support our growth in developing much-needed skills across offensive, defensive, and threat intelligence domains.
"Our commitment to developing skills across wider cyber communities will see our experienced professionals helping to shape the next generation of young cyber talent. Our SOC will bring people and communities together in a collaborative and sustainable space where cyber skills can flourish.”
Demand for managed security services is surging across the UK as organisations continue to grapple with the cyber security skills shortage.
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