Microsoft chooses Belfast for new cyber centre

Microsoft's new cyber security centre is to be in Belfast, it has been revealed.

Belfast is to benefit from a new cyber security centre operated by tech giant Microsoft, it has been announced.

Up to 85 jobs will be created at the state-of-the-art facility, while £800,000 in funding is also to be provided by the Department for the Economy to create Assured Skills Academies at Belfast Metropolitan University ahead of the opening.

Anyone with a 2:2 degree or above, or a Level 5 qualification in an IT subject will be able to apply to the academies.

Darren Dillon, spokesperson for Microsoft, said: "We're delighted to be able to establish this new cyber security centre here in Northern Ireland which will provide support to Microsoft's largest enterprise customers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa."

Each student that completes tuition from the academy will be guaranteed a job interview with Microsoft afterwards so they can be considered for a job at the security centre.

The news comes after Stormont committed to making Northern Ireland a cyber security hub, with the ambition of having 5,000 professionals in the industry by 2030.