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Gloucestershire Business News

Cyber security firms join GCHQ Cyber programme

Cheltenham is leading the way in cyber security, as nine cyber security start-ups, focusing on online security issues and threats, are selected to join the GCHQ Cyber Accelerator programme.

The companies - which include a start-up that seeks to disrupt cyber crime by detecting and investigating crypto-currency transactions, and one that warns small businesses of their security weaknesses and how to fix them - will now begin an intensive acceleration programme that will help their businesses, with the aim of producing the next generation of cyber security leaders.

The accelerator, part of the Government's Cheltenham Innovation Centre, is a partnership between GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and Wayra UK, the leading UK corporate accelerator that is part of the global Telefónica Open Future_ network.

Following a successful first phase of the accelerator earlier in 2017, when seven start-ups joined for three months, the partners have expanded the programme. The new cohort of nine companies will now benefit from a nine-month period at the accelerator, and will each receive increased funding of £25,000.

At the accelerator, they will also receive support to help them scale all aspects of their businesses, including high-quality mentoring and business services, office space, and access to GCHQ, NCSC and Telefónica's world-class personnel and technical expertise.

Minister of State for Digital Matt Hancock said: "With the digital economy continuing to rapidly expand, it's vital that we invest in the next generation of cyber security start-ups to ensure that the UK is the safest place to be online. The Accelerator - part of the Cheltenham Innovation Centre - is a key commitment in the Government's National Cyber Security Strategy and builds on the wealth of cyber excellence in Cheltenham itself."

Gary Stewart, Director at Wayra UK and Telefónica Open Future (UK), said: "Cyber security is one of the most important challenges facing us today as a society. The GHCQ Cyber Accelerator is one of the UK's most forward-thinking collaborations, and I think that the new cohort is probably one of the best groups of cyber start-ups anywhere in the world. I can't wait to see what they achieve with the help of world-leading expertise from GCHQ, NCSC, and Telefónica."

The new accelerator is the first step in delivering the Cheltenham Innovation Centre, the first of two world-leading innovation centres to be created as part of the Government's National Cyber Security Programme.

The GCHQ Cyber Accelerator is part of the Government's £1.9 billion investment to significantly transform the UK's cyber security. The 2016-2021 National Cyber Security Strategy sets out how the UK Government will deliver a UK that is secure and resilient to cyber threats; prosperous and confident in the digital world. The National Cyber Security Programme managed by the Cabinet Office coordinates the work undertaken to implement the UK's National Cyber Security Strategy.

Second photo credit: Wayra

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