On July 24, 2017, the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (“DCMS”) announced plans to develop a new center for cybersecurity innovation in London. The UK plans to invest up to £14.5 million in the center over three years to foster development of next generation cybersecurity technology.

The UK government seeks to use the new cybersecurity innovation center to bring together large firms, startups, and industry experts “to develop the new technologies businesses will need to protect themselves.” According to the DCMS announcement, goals of the cybersecurity innovation center include establishing London as a leader in the fight against cyber-attacks and threats, bolstering the UK’s cybersecurity defenses, and helping make the UK “the best place to start and grow a digital business and safest place to be online.”

The announced investment is part of a larger £1.9 billion UK government investment in cybersecurity, implementing the UK government’s National Cyber Security Strategy 2016 to 2021. DCMS has solicited bids for the development and design of the new cybersecurity innovation center, which is expected to open in early 2018.