£18m cybersecurity hub opens in Dundee

A new centre for cybersecurity has opened at Abertay University in Dundee.

The Abertay cyberQuarter is joint funded by the UK and Scottish governments through the Tay Cities Region Deal. The project cost £18 million to complete. The hub, which is the first of its kind for Scotland, will support the rapidly growing cyber sector.  

It aims to create new solutions to local, national, and international cybersecurity challenges, while bringing inclusive economic growth to the area as it supports expansion of existing companies and helps grow new ones.  

The four-floor space is open to businesses, academics, and students and it includes a secure cloud-computing infrastructure for online teaching. National Services Scotland’s cybersecurity arm will be the first to move into the centre, creating 30 new jobs.  

Students on the University’s Ethical Hacking, Computing and Cybersecurity courses will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals in the cyberQuarter, while they bring new ideas to joint projects. 

Abertay University principal Professor Liz Bacon said: “Today is a truly landmark moment for Abertay University as we create a new home for Scotland’s cybersecurity community, around which the sector can be supported to experiment, develop and thrive.  

“This first-class hub will, crucially, help Scotland to retain the huge amount of graduate talent that comes out of Abertay and our partner institutions every year, and will also act as a secure, shared space where new solutions to global cyber challenges can be addressed for the common good.” 

Scottish Government employment minister Richard Lochhead MSP said: “The opening of the Abertay cyberQuarter is an important moment for the university, region and sector. New opportunities in areas like cybersecurity are central to our commitment to deliver economic transformation.  

“The Scottish Government’s £6 million funding through the Tay Cities Region Deal will help build on Abertay’s existing strengths to take advantage of these opportunities and deliver sustainable, inclusive prosperity for the region.” 

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: "The growing use of online platforms, cloud computing and online shopping means cybersecurity is more important than ever. There were more than 400 cyberattacks in Scotland in 2020-21, and more than a million incidents of computer misuse are reported across the UK each year.  

“Abertay was the first UK university to be awarded Academic Centre of Excellence in CyberSecurity Education by the UK Government's National CyberSecurity Centre. The launch of the cyberQuarter further strengthens its reputation as the place to come for research and expertise on cybersecurity - an industry which will bring high-skilled work and investment to the region.  

“The UK Government is contributing £5.7m towards this fantastic facility as part of our £2 billion support for levelling-up initiatives right across Scotland." 

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