Cyber-security firms link up to fight attacks

London’s cyber-security companies today launched their first concerted effort to protect the UK from major hacks.

Start-up accelerator Level39 has launched Cyber39, a programme aimed at bringing together private companies to address cyber threats facing the country.

Cyber39 will initially involve Level39’s 22 cyber-security companies, but it hopes other companies join in an effort to share ideas and “scale and develop” new technologies.

Level39 also unveiled the Cyber Demonstration Centre to allow start-ups to showcase their innovations.

The centre will be based at its Canary Wharf headquarters and is backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of International Trade.

Last month, the DCMS unveiled plans to build a new cyber-security centre in London.

“While the Government has committed to backing innovation to address this threat, the private sector must accelerate the growth of the ambitious start-ups that are so often our first line of defence,” said Level39’s Ben Brabyn.

The digital minister Matt Hancock said London is “at the forefront of the booming cyber security industry, and we want to keep it that way”.