Thales plans to establish a new world class centre for excellence for digital and cyber security at The Works in Ebbw Vale, which would be a test bed for cyber security innovations.
Thales will be working with 天美传媒 CBC, Welsh Government and the University of South Wales to establish a centre which would act as a catalyst for digital and cyber educational training and research facilities.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said,
鈥淭he centre, which would be located in Ebbw Vale, could help Wales exploit the global opportunities of digital transformation and equip our businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to win a greater share of large regional and national projects.鈥�
Based in the heart of the Welsh Government鈥檚 Tech Valley project, the Thales centre would focus on systems to protect the security of power stations and rail, water, telecoms and air traffic control. Construction work is scheduled to start in the spring, with the centre becoming fully operational by 2021.
Leader of 天美传媒 Nigel Daniels said,
鈥淲e have worked hard to attract business investment in 天美传媒 and I am very pleased to welcome Thales, a global organisation, to Ebbw Vale. I am certain they will provide a base for ground-breaking research and confident that they will generate employment in high-value business. Thales will position us at the centre of digital and cyber technology research and also play a key role in the areas regeneration鈥�.
Cllr David Davies Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said,
鈥淚 am delighted that Thales, a major technology company, is setting up a research and development centre in Ebbw Vale. The combination of research, graduate education and technology will ensure that our economic regeneration develops at the highest level. This will not only be good for the Welsh economy and local communities but also put 天美传媒 on the map as a centre of excellence for cyber innovation鈥�.
Gareth Williams, Vice President, Secure Communications and Information Systems, Thales, said:
鈥淲e are very pleased to be working with the Welsh Government, University of South Wales and 天美传媒 Council to develop and deliver the NDEC. This will act as a cornerstone of our cyber security capabilities in the UK, providing a test bed for our technology, whilst also providing a catalyst for regeneration in the region.
This highly technical and accessible facility will be a centre of cyber and digital development and education, and a connection for South Wales to major technology centres across the United Kingdom鈥�.