JAPANESE cyber security firm Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) has confirmed plans to expand its Belfast operation after recruiting a former PSNI cyber-crime specialist.
NCD said Ally Burns has been appointed as the new head of incident response for its European operations.
The former cop spent the last decade of his 31 police career with the PSNI’s cyber-crime unit, retiring last year as detective inspector.
The Tokyo-headquartered company has also confirmed it will move to a new larger base of operations in Belfast.
NCD said it recently secured licensing approval from the UK Home Office, which will enable the company to relocate more of its skilled Japanese staff in Belfast to service its growing global corporate client base.
A new Dublin office is also due to be opened later this year.
The company’s founder and chief executive, Cartan McLaughlin, said the appointment of Ally Burns marked the latest step in building its Belfast team and strengthening NCD’s global incident management and response capability.
“The team’s expertise has been recognised in the awarding of recent new contracts to deliver incident management services to local UK Government and new partnerships with major UK suppliers such as BT,” he said.
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NCD is now partnering with BT to become its supplier of incident management services to the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
In his work with the PSNI, Ally Burns was responsible for providing digital forensic services and engaging with law enforcement and government agencies across the world.
“There has been an acceleration globally in the volume and variety of cyber-attacks facing all types of organisations,” he said. “So there has never been a greater need for expert advice on how to identify and assess risks and to prevent and manage incidents.
“During my career I have gained extensive experience in leading investigations into business email compromise, ransomware, insider threat and network breaches and I am excited by the opportunity to draw on that experience with a dynamic and energised company like NCD.”
Dougie Grant, NCD’s managing director for Europe, added: “Ally brings great knowledge from his time as the PSNI’s senior investigating officer for cyber dependent crime in Northern Ireland.
“His investigative experience has ranged from investigations originating on the dark net to those involving international organised crime groups deploying ransomware on local businesses, charities and academic institutions.
“Ally is a fantastic addition and asset to our senior team and will be managing our Belfast relocation and expanding incident management team.”
