Latest news with #CaoimheArchibald
Irish Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Irish tech firm will invest £1.8m in cyber security initiative
A BELFAST based tech firm has announced an investment of nearly £2m into a cyber security initiative for the manufacturing sector. Angoka has confirmed it will support the development of a world leading cyber security solution for the industry with funding of £1.8m. The COSMIC (Cybersecurity for Operational Systems in Manufacturing and Industrial Control) initiative promises to deliver a solution to protect organisations from the threat of cyber-attacks due to the digitalisation of manufacturing systems. It is currently being developed in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and with financial support from Invest NI. (l-r) Sam Turner, CEO of AMIC, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Steve Berry, ANGOKA Chairman and Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development at Invest NI Founded in 2019, Angoka has developed technology that allows machines to communicate securely without interference from hackers and cyber security threats. 'With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe,' Angoka Chairman, Steve Berry said. 'COSMIC is a reaction to the growing need for cyber security adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities,' he added. 'Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. 'It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. 'This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe.' Northern Ireland's Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald announced Angoka's investment this week. 'This investment by Angoka will help increase productivity, create good jobs, and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors - cyber security and advanced manufacturing,' she said. 'It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector and it has been enabled by the City and Growth Deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre,' the minister added. 'So this announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends.' Over the next two years AMIC will support the development of the COSMIC solution through product testing, identification of target customers for commercial deployments and acting as a point of contact with industry groups. 'AMIC is at the heart of the innovation support system for Northern Ireland manufacturing,' AMIC CEO Sam Turner said. 'Led by Queen's University in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University, we support our industrial clients in transforming processes and introducing new cutting-edge innovative products,' he added. 'With our new Factory-of-the-Future opening in 2026 and our mission to drive growth, competitiveness and innovation, the AMIC team is delighted to support Angoka with this project.' See More: Angoka, Belfast, Cosmic, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Belfast tech company invests £1.8m in cybersecurity solution for factory floors
A Belfast-based tech company has announced a near £2 million investment in creating cybersecurity software for the manufacturing sector. The move by ANGOKA is aimed at combating the threat of cyber attacks on digitised factory production lines. The company's Cosmic (Cybersecurity for Operational Systems in Manufacturing and Industrial Control) initiative will see it partnering with Queen's University's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC). The link-up has received around £1 million in grant aid financial support from Invest NI. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald attended the announcement of the £1.8 million investment on Monday. 'This investment by ANGOKA will help increase productivity, create good jobs and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors – cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing,' she said. 'It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. And it has been enabled by the city and growth deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. So, today's announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends.' ANGOKA chairman Steve Berry said: 'With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe. 'Cosmic is a reaction to the growing need for cybersecurity adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities. 'Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe.' Over the next two years, AMIC will support the development of the software through product testing, identification of target customers for commercial deployments and acting as a point of contact with industry groups.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast firm to invest nearly £2m in cybersecurity product
A Belfast-based firm is investing nearly £2m on developing a cyber security product for advanced manufacturing. Angoka is spending £1.8m creating the solution designed to help businesses defend increasingly digitalised manufacturing processes. The product is being jointly developed with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a project which brings together Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University with public sector bodies to support industry. The project has also received funding from Invest NI. Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said: 'This investment by Angoka will help increase productivity, create good jobs, and boost innovation across two of our priority sectors - cyber security and advanced manufacturing. 'It is the result of collaboration between government, academia and the private sector. And it has been enabled by the City and Growth Deal which established the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. 'So today's announcement is a great example of our economic strategy paying dividends.' Angoka chairman Steve Berry said: 'With cyber threats growing in both scale and sophistication, demand for solutions that protect online devices has surged across the globe. 'COSMIC is a reaction to the growing need for cyber security adoption in the advanced manufacturing sector due to the detrimental impact any breaches could have on the operational resilience of manufacturing facilities. 'Our new solution will allow us to expand our core offering and achieve ambitious growth targets. It will be designed for ease of deployment both on existing and new manufacturing equipment. 'This seamless deployment will be a key enabler for breaking into new markets across the globe.' Sam Turner, chief executive of AMIC, said the company is at the heart of the innovation support system for Northern Ireland manufacturing. 'Led by Queen's University in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University, we support our industrial clients in transforming processes and introducing new cutting-edge innovative products. 'With our new Factory-of-the-Future opening in 2026 and our mission to drive growth, competitiveness and innovation, the AMIC team is delighted to support Angoka with this project.' Dr Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research and development at Invest NI said: 'This investment in R&D is a vote of confidence in our talent, infrastructure and R&D capabilities in Northern Ireland. 'The benefits of investing in R&D are rich, and Angoka is testament to how R&D can enable the development of game changing products which can drive competitiveness in the global market. 'This investment directly supports our business strategy, which prioritises accelerating innovation and maximising the wider benefits of City and Growth Deals to drive innovation and build collaboration with academia and industry to develop next-generation products and services.' Angola was founded in 2019 by Mr Berry, and specialises in authentication technology. It also offers threat analysis and risk assessment services to companies. Clients and partners include Sunderland City Council and the UK Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. As part of its work on the security of self-driving vehicles, Angoka is one of the partners on the Harlander self-driving bus, which aims to enter service on the Belfast Harbour estate in the coming months.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Increase in university tuition fees ruled out
Northern Ireland's economy minister has said she will not be increasing university tuition fees above the usual level of inflation. Caoimhe Archibald said while she recognised the challenges facing universities, she did not wish to "push that additional pressure on to students". It comes after the five universities and university colleges in Northern Ireland had called for tuition fees to rise by more than £1,000 a year. The proposal, which was sent in a letter to Stormont's main parties, would have increased annual fees for students to £5,831. The letter was signed by the heads of Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and the Open University in Ireland, and supported by a separate letter from the principals of St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University College. It said that "without urgent intervention" there was a risk of "undermining productivity and long-term economic recovery". The institutions also said about a third of young people left Northern Ireland to study elsewhere "due to the continued Northern Ireland Executive policy on funding". Higher education is the responsibility of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland's devolved government. Archibald said the current funding model did not work. The Sinn Féin minister said she had written to ministerial colleagues to ask for higher education institutions to be "prioritised for in-year funding to address the challenges this year". "I want to work in partnership with our universities and students to find a sustainable way forward, and will work on a longer term solution as part of the three-year budget," she added. 'Increasing tuition fees will put people off university' How much does university cost in the UK? Archibald said she had "already committed to undertaking a review of higher education funding". Tuition fees in Northern Ireland were £4,750 in 2024/25. The figure increases annually in line with projected inflation. Most students take out a loan to cover their tuition fees and living costs, which they then pay back when they begin working after graduation. In England and Wales students currently pay £9,250, while Scottish students who remain in Scotland to study do not pay tuition fees. Students in the Republic of Ireland pay a maximum of €2,000 (£1,695) a year in fees. Ben Friel, president of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland, met the minister and welcomed her decision. "She made it very clear that she does not want to increase the financial burden on students, and we're relieved to hear that," he said. "Students at the minute are under immense pressure, and any more pressure would have been the final nail in the coffin for lots of students' academic journey." Tuition fees should be 'affordable' says economy minister 'Increasing tuition fees will put people off university'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Tuition fees increase in Northern Ireland is ruled out
Northern Ireland's economy minister has said she will not be increasing university tuition fees above the usual level of Archibald said while she recognised the challenges facing universities, she did not wish to "push that additional pressure on to students".It comes after the five universities and university colleges in Northern Ireland had called for tuition fees to rise by more than £1,000 a proposal, which was sent in a letter to Stormont's main parties, would have increased annual fees for students to £5,831. The letter was signed by the heads of Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and the Open University in Ireland, and supported by a separate letter from the principals of St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University said that "without urgent intervention" there was a risk of "undermining productivity and long-term economic recovery".The institutions also said about a third of young people left Northern Ireland to study elsewhere "due to the continued Northern Ireland Executive policy on funding".Higher education is the responsibility of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland's devolved said the current funding model did not Sinn Féin minister said she had written to ministerial colleagues to ask for higher education institutions to be "prioritised for in-year funding to address the challenges this year"."I want to work in partnership with our universities and students to find a sustainable way forward, and will work on a longer term solution as part of the three-year budget," she added. Archibald said she had "already committed to undertaking a review of higher education funding".Tuition fees in Northern Ireland were £4,750 in 2024/25. The figure increases annually in line with projected students take out a loan to cover their tuition fees and living costs, which they then pay back when they begin working after England and Wales students currently pay £9,250, while Scottish students who remain in Scotland to study do not pay tuition in the Republic of Ireland pay a maximum of €2,000 (£1,695) a year in Friel, president of the National Union of Students and Union of Students in Ireland, met the minister and welcomed her decision."She made it very clear that she does not want to increase the financial burden on students, and we're relieved to hear that," he said."Students at the minute are under immense pressure, and any more pressure would have been the final nail in the coffin for lots of students' academic journey."
