Plan for phase two of cyber park near GCHQ revealed
The second stage of a cyber security centre planned near GCHQ has been unveiled.
The Golden Valley development aims to confirm Cheltenham as the UK's cyber capital.
Property developer HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council unveiled the project's second phase, including the launch of the newly named "I/O Buildings", at a CyberUK conference event held earlier this month.
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said the CyberUK event offered the "perfect opportunity" to showcase phase two of the project.
The first phase of construction is the cyber park itself, which includes 1 million sq ft (93,000 sq metres) of commercial space, a car park and bus stops for services to Cheltenham Spa railway station.
Work could begin by October if Cheltenham Borough Council approves two key applications, which include feedback from public consultations, this summer.
The two I/O Buildings (INPUT and OUTPUT) are a key element within the second phase of Golden Valley and will provide space for leaders and innovators to work together, the Local Democracy Service reports.
More news stories for Gloucestershire
Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire
INPUT is intended to foster collaboration between education, business and government, focusing on academia, skills and talent.
OUTPUT will seek to bring together industry peers to shape the future of technology.
The building will create space for quiet focus and provide state-of-the-art facilities for business.
Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: "Work is due to begin on site later this year so it's great to be able to share new CGIs of the scheme, including the I/O Buildings within phase two, and bring the development to life."
Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden included Golden Valley within his keynote address at the CyberUK conference.
"We're already making some big investments, like the billion pounds going into the new state-of-the-art Golden Valley campus near GCHQ's Cheltenham office.
"That site alone is expected to create 12,000 jobs and be home to hospitality, retail businesses and 3,700 new homes. It's all growth."
Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
How will a £1bn cyber park affect locals?
Cyber development to receive £20m from government
Cheltenham Borough Council
CyberUK
HBD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mission to boost cyber skills as number of jobs rise
Students are being matched up with cyber experts to boost skills in the industry amid more jobs. The University of Gloucestershire is running a programme to build a "talent pipeline", aimed at ensuring the county has the skilled workforce it needs to meet future job demands. The scheme pairs students from schools and colleges with local cyber businesses, which offers them apprenticeship opportunities. Clare Marchant, the university's vice-chancellor, said while there is a lot of cyber opportunities, there is "a lack of skills at the moment". "We know a lot of talent leaves Gloucestershire year-on-year, so we need to be keeping that talent in Gloucestershire. "That's what businesses want and we can facilitate that," Ms Marchant said. "We know there's so much going on in Gloucestershire. We've got GCHQ just down the road, we have the Golden Valley development coming. We need to be primed and have that talent pipeline coming through," she said. The Golden Valley development aims to confirm Cheltenham as the UK's cyber capital. The first phase of construction is the cyber park itself, which includes 1 million sq ft (93,000 sq metres) of commercial space, a car park and bus stops for services to Cheltenham Spa railway station. Ms Marchant said it was vital cyber learning starts at an early age. "One of the things we are focused on is really ensuring we develop their skills and that needs development from late primary and early secondary, rather than just when individuals hit 16 or 17," she added. Cyberis, a cyber security consultancy, is among the businesses participating in Gloucestershire's Launch Pad Programme, which was launched last year. Will Gould, from Cyberis, said it is something the company has been looking at for a while. "We're at the size now where we can take on an apprentice and give them the attention that they require. "It's fantastic for our business to grow and also bring up the next generation of security experts," he said. Students will learn a range of skills, including traditional infrastructure, cloud and general cyber security. Adam joined the programme in 2024 and has been working as an apprentice for a local cyber security business. "It allows me to get all the work experience I need from going straight into employment, as well as obtaining a good quality degree at the same time," he added. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Nobody safe from cyber attacks, says council boss Plan for phase two of cyber park near GCHQ revealed
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Plan for phase two of cyber park near GCHQ revealed
The second stage of a cyber security centre planned near GCHQ has been unveiled. The Golden Valley development aims to confirm Cheltenham as the UK's cyber capital. Property developer HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council unveiled the project's second phase, including the launch of the newly named "I/O Buildings", at a CyberUK conference event held earlier this month. Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said the CyberUK event offered the "perfect opportunity" to showcase phase two of the project. The first phase of construction is the cyber park itself, which includes 1 million sq ft (93,000 sq metres) of commercial space, a car park and bus stops for services to Cheltenham Spa railway station. Work could begin by October if Cheltenham Borough Council approves two key applications, which include feedback from public consultations, this summer. The two I/O Buildings (INPUT and OUTPUT) are a key element within the second phase of Golden Valley and will provide space for leaders and innovators to work together, the Local Democracy Service reports. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire INPUT is intended to foster collaboration between education, business and government, focusing on academia, skills and talent. OUTPUT will seek to bring together industry peers to shape the future of technology. The building will create space for quiet focus and provide state-of-the-art facilities for business. Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: "Work is due to begin on site later this year so it's great to be able to share new CGIs of the scheme, including the I/O Buildings within phase two, and bring the development to life." Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden included Golden Valley within his keynote address at the CyberUK conference. "We're already making some big investments, like the billion pounds going into the new state-of-the-art Golden Valley campus near GCHQ's Cheltenham office. "That site alone is expected to create 12,000 jobs and be home to hospitality, retail businesses and 3,700 new homes. It's all growth." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. How will a £1bn cyber park affect locals? Cyber development to receive £20m from government Cheltenham Borough Council CyberUK HBD
Epoch Times
15-05-2025
- Epoch Times
Systems Facing Increased Risk of AI-Enhanced Cyber Attacks, Warns NCSC
By 2027, artificial intelligence tools will significantly increase the ability of malicious actors to find and exploit vulnerabilities in our systems, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned. The NCSC, which is the UK's technical authority for cyber security and part of the GCHQ intelligence agency, said in its It also warned that the window between discovering and exploiting a vulnerability has already narrowed to just days, and that AI is expected to shorten it even further, making it harder for those working to keep networks secure. The cyber security specialists said that malicious actors, such as cyber criminals and those acting on behalf of hostile states, are very likely already using AI to enhance their existing tactics to penetrate systems, including through victim reconnaissance, vulnerability research, and malware generation. Critical Systems If cyber security does not keep pace with these advancements, 'there is a realistic possibility of critical systems becoming more vulnerable to advanced threat actors by 2027,' the report said. The NCSC says that in order to protect themselves, organisations must implement advanced strategies to counter AI-driven attacks, including continued monitoring and using AI-based defence systems. Paul Chichester, NCSC director of operations, said: "We know AI is transforming the cyber threat landscape, expanding attack surfaces, increasing the volume of threats, and accelerating malicious capabilities. Related Stories 4/30/2025 12/3/2024 'While these risks are real, AI also presents a powerful opportunity to enhance the UK's resilience and drive growth—making it essential for organisations to act. 'Organisations should implement strong cyber security practices across AI systems and their dependencies and ensure up-to-date defences are in place.' Serious Organised Crime The report's publication coincided with the first day of the annual security conference put on by CyberUK, which is hosted by the NCSC. In his keynote speech to the conference on Wednesday, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden called cyber attacks 'serious organised crime.' He told business leaders and tech experts: 'The purpose is to damage and extort good businesses. It's the digital version of an old-fashioned shake down. Either straight theft or a protection racket where your business will be safe as long as you pay the gangsters. 'And what we've seen over the past couple of weeks should serve as a wake-up call for everyone - for government and the public sector, for businesses and organisations up and down the country, as if we needed one, that cybersecurity is not a luxury - it's an absolute necessity.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden delivers a keynote speech to the CyberUK conference at the Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, on May 7, 2025. Ryan Jenkinson/PA Wire His remarks come after major British retailers Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods all experienced serious cyber incidents. The minister announced that the government would be investing an extra £7 million in the Laboratory for AI Security Research, which was launched by the Labour administration in November and comprises of experts from organisations including Oxford University, the Alan Turing Institute, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT). DSIT said a further £8 million will be given to Ukraine for its cyber defences and £1.1 million will go to the Moldovan government to 'protect the country's upcoming Parliamentary Election.' China Becoming a 'Cyber Superpower' In his speech, the minister specifically highlighted China as a key point of discussion, saying, 'we need to be clear-eyed about the challenge posed' by the nation. He said: 'It is well on its way to becoming a cyber superpower. It has the sophistication. The scale. And the seriousness. 'It's one of the world leaders in AI, as the world's second largest economy it's deeply embedded in global supply chains and markets.' 'Disengagement economically from China is not an option. Neither's naivety,' McFadden said. 'Our approach should be to engage constructively and consistently with China where it is in the UK's economic interests, but also to be clear that we will robustly defend our own cyberspace,' he said. His comments come after British intelligence services have The NCSC's annual review published in December Last year, the then-Conservative government
