WIREDGOV

US-based Security-as-a-Service provider Alert Logic is to establish its European HQ and state of the art European Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Cardiff, together with a UK data centre in Newport, creating nearly 130 new jobs with support from the Welsh Government.

The Houston, Texas based business is regarded as a leading provider of managed security-as-a-service solutions for the cloud.  By integrating advanced SaaS based security tools with 24x7 monitoring and expert guidance from its security operations centre, Alert Logic’s services help customers defend against complex IT security threats and address their compliance requirements.

The inward investment is backed by £1.15m business finance from the Welsh Government and will enable the company to expand into the European, Middle East and African markets. The project is supported by Cardiff Council and Cardiff Business Council.

Welsh Government funding support is for the creation of 122 jobs in Cardiff and towards capital equipment costs of establishing the Data Centre in the Next Generation Data (NGD) facility in Newport. This will become the primary European data centre and will create five additional highly-paid jobs.

Announcing the investment today, Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:

“I am delighted Alert Logic has chosen Wales for this significant expansion and that funding from the Welsh Government helped secure this inward investment project for Wales. The company has a global customer base and the management team found Cardiff offered the perfect solution, with Newport their preferred location for their primary European datacentre.”

“South Wales has a high concentration of active and innovative companies and university expertise in the Trust & Security sector. The region has a growing recognition as one of the primary locations in the UK for the research, development and commercialisation of security products and services.  This major inward investment project will significantly enhance our reputation and importantly offer quality, well paid jobs.

“I am also pleased to announce the company plans to locate its new HQ in Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone which sends out a very strong message to industry that in Wales we are creating and supporting an environment conducive for business growth.”

Gray Hall, CEOat Alert Logic, said that Cardiff became a natural choice with its close proximity to London, excellent transport links, skilled workforce and universities at the cutting edge of research into cyber security

He said:

“We selected Cardiff after reviewing options in other UK and European cities.  The city’s readiness to ensure we could establish our EMEA HQ quickly and support from the Welsh Government easily meant Cardiff became the obvious location. We look forward to playing our part in the economy of this vibrant and promising capital city and contributing towards its vision of becoming a IT Security centre of excellence.”

Alert Logic, Inc., employs approximately 350 people worldwide, and provides IT network security to more than 2,500 clients and partners with many of the world’s leading cloud and hosting providers.
 
The new centre in Cardiff will effectively replicate the current security operation centre in Houston, USA and  covering all areas of the business.

Alert Logic plans to recruit 50 researchers and analysts this year followed by further recruitment in 2015. It is keen to develop strong links with Cardiff’s universities and schools to foster young technology talent.  

Councillor Phil Bale, Leader of Cardiff Council, said:

“The Council worked closely and quickly with the Welsh Government and Cardiff Business Council to secure this important employer for the region. We look forward to Alert Logic making a valuable contribution to the region’s economy.”

The City of Cardiff is providing short-term accommodation for Alert Logic at its Business Technology Centre on Cardiff University’s campus to allow the company to commence operations before moving into permanent premises within Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone.