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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Andrew Arthur

Gloucestershire cyber firm transforms 'castle' base into 'Star Wars-style' defence hub

A Gloucestershire-headquartered cyber security firm is set to complete the transformation of its 11th century ‘castle’ office into a “Star Wars-style” defence hub. Core to Cloud will reopen its base within the historic building, on the former site of Cirencester Castle, later this month.

As well as hosting the firm’s more than 25 staff, the facility will act as a collaborative workspace where Core to Cloud will train local businesses, schools and colleges on how to protect themselves from digital threats.

The company, which has worked with high street retailers Fat Face, GFK and more than 50 UK NHS Trusts, said there was a “growing risk” of cyber attacks in the South West.

The business highlighted that last month Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham was the victim of a major cyber breach, while it added Gloucester City Council had recently confirmed the recovery costs from a Russian-linked attack last year could total more than £1m.

As part of the renovation, Core to Cloud said it had fitted the 11,000 sq ft space with a “Star Wars-style screening room” and an events area for students, businesses and industry professionals to discover the latest in cyber crime defence skills and technology.

The "Star Wars style" screening room inside Core to Cloud's refurbished base (Core to Cloud)

To mark the re-opening on November 17, a free event will be hosted at the new Castle facilities, which Core to Cloud said would bring together “the best of the South West’s IT and cybersecurity experts”. Former Formula One strategist Neil Martin will be among the speakers.

Core to Cloud’s chief executive James Cunningham said the company was “proud” to be opening its “fantastic new premises”.

Mr Cunningham said: “At Core to Cloud, we’re passionate about nurturing future cyber skills to help defend against the war on cyber as well as educate organisations and individuals on the importance of having a strong and resilient security posture.

“Our new facilities will include spaces for regular webinars, human behaviour training, incidence response plans and much more as we continue to share our knowledge about threat avoidance and diligent use of software.”

Inside Core to Cloud's refurbished workspace at The Castle office building in Cirencester. (Core to Cloud)

Core to Cloud said that since forming in 2015 it had grown 138% year on year, more than quadrupled its revenue in the last three years and tripled its workforce.

The business recently appointed UCAS' former head of finance Matt White as its new finance director to help drive the firm’s UK and global growth.

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