American trade mission highlights region’s cyber expertise

Cyber security specialists from across the region are in the United States this week as part of a deepening relationship between the Midlands and Maryland.

The UK Midlands Engine Cyber initiative has returned to Baltimore, Maryland as part of a second trade delegation of cyber companies and partners.

A delegation from the US visited the UK earlier this year, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Houses of Parliament between Maryland and the Midlands Engine.

The state of Maryland is the centre of cyber security for the US federal government and is home to the National Security Agency’s US Cyber Command. It is also home to a number of universities and colleges that have cyber security expertise.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Midlands Engine is home to many impressive and innovative cyber companies, alongside several academic institutions offering cyber-specific training. We are looking forward to showcasing once more what the region has to offer in this sector, with cyber-security being a priority growth area.”

The Midlands Engine group will visit the Cyber Maryland Conference this week, which Woodman described as “another fantastic opportunity for companies to grow their presence in the US market”.

Staff from the University of Wolverhampton will speak at the conference as part of the trade mission.

“It provides a great opportunity for the University and the wider Midlands region to demonstrate our expertise and capabilities and try to encourage US partners to work with us in the future,” said Katie Wood, a senior lecturer in computer science.

“We have already established some strong relationships in the US and want the University and the Midlands region to become a national and international player in this field.”

The mission, funded by the Department for International Trade, is also designed to identify US companies looking to invest in the UK and forms part of a three-year programme aimed at encouraging trade and investment into the region.

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