Universities and Science Minister David Willetts will today (Thursday May 29) unveil a new training centre aimed at making Worcestershire the safest place in the country to do business online. The Minister was invited by Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin to formally unveil the new facility and meet with some of the local businesses at the forefront of the battle against cyber crime. The National Cyber Skills Centre has been set up at Malvern Hills Science Park as a collaboration between private businesses and Worcestershire County Council working in partnership with IT sector skills council e-skills. Nearly four years ago, Harriett invited Home Office Minister James Brokenshire to meet with the emerging cyber community based in ‘cyber valley’ and a cluster of small businesses agreed to work together to deliver local solutions for small and medium sized business. In 2012, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude opened a ‘dirty lab’ on the Science Park allowing companies to come and test their IT equipment against cyber-attack in a clean environment. And this year, local Worcestershire businesses including 3SDL and Encription have started using the centre to train students from local schools and colleges, as well as offering the facility to companies which want to enhance their cyber-training for staff. David Willetts Science and Universities Minister commented: “Today, countries that can manage cyber security risks have a clear competitive advantage. “Innovative companies like those operating on Malvern Hills Science Park, backed by Government investment, will insure the UK has the technology we need to protect our data and take full advantage of this growth industry.” Harriett added: “The new cyber training centre is a classic example of where private sector businesses have taken the initiative and created a capability with little need for public funding. “Cyber valley is leading the way in delivering nimble solutions for small and medium sized business and it is great that the IT sector skills council has agreed to back this initiative making this the first proper cyber training centre for businesses in the country. “Malvern has always been at the heart of innovative solutions to help the country as a whole. “This new resource is yet another example of the great work done by the brilliant brains of Malvern and I am hugely grateful that David Willetts has taken the time to come and officially unveil this important new resource.”