The University of South Wales (USW), Welsh Government and global technology company Thales have established a £20m cyber centre, sitting at the heart of its Tech Valleys programme. The National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) provides SMEs and microbusinesses with a base to test and develop their digital concepts. It also provides a research lab in which multinationals can develop technology, and will connect Wales to major tech centres across the globe.
In short:
- NDEC, which opened in 2019, is located in Ebbw Vale and is the first research and development facility of its kind in Wales.
- Delivered by Thales in collaboration with USW, it provides local, regional and national businesses with a base to test and develop digital concepts; in particular their cyber security, in our increasingly connected ‘Internet of Things’ world.
- Not only will the cyber centre help Wales to exploit the global opportunities of digital transformation, it will also equip businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to win a greater share of large regional and national projects.
- USW leads the Digital Education Centre, which supports the development of individuals’ cyber skills through a programme of educational outreach to schools across the region, upskilling and retraining courses to people mid-career, and to businesses through CPD courses.
Announcing the partnership, last year, Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “I am delighted that the Welsh Government is working in partnership with global technology company Thales on a new £20m cyber centre that will be located in Blaenau Gwent and right at the heart of our Tech Valleys project.
“The centre will help ensure that Wales exploits the global opportunities of digital transformation, provide a base for ground breaking research and will equip businesses of all shapes and sizes with the skills and knowledge they need to win a greater share of large regional and national projects.
“I am confident that through our partnership with Thales and the University of South Wales we will work to stimulate and create employment in high value technology businesses – an ambition that is right at the heart of our Tech Valleys project.”
For more information, visit the National Digital Exploitation Project website.
