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Contrast Security opens new EMEA headquarters

Contrast Security has opened a new EMEA headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, that it says will create 120 new jobs in software development, sales and marketing, and act as a bridgehead for planned European growth. Invest Northern Ireland has given financial support to Contrast to support its European growth plans.

The Californian firm focuses on “self-protecting software” against cyber-threats, with the technology including embedded sensors that work inside applications to uncover vulnerabilities, prevent data breaches and secure enterprise assets. “We are committed to accelerating our international expansion, serving companies in key verticals such as financial services, e-commerce and retail, insurance, healthcare and enterprise IT,” said the vendor.

According to Invest Northern Ireland, the country is on track to employ almost 1,700 people in the security software field, generating total salaries of over £70m annually. While that security software jobs market is much smaller than its neighbour in the Republic of Ireland, there has been steady growth in recent years. 

Alastair Hamilton, CEO of Invest Northern Ireland, said: “This new delivery centre will include an R&D team of software developers to help create new products, along with sales and marketing teams to support Contrast Security’s European growth plans.

“Over the next three years, 120 jobs will be created, contributing nearly £4m in additional annual salaries when fully operational.”

Alan Naumann, CEO at Contrast Security, said: “We’re continuing to execute on our strategy to become a global leader in application security. We have ambitious plans to expand our footprint across Europe and the team here in Northern Ireland will be crucial to helping us achieve this.

“Access to experienced professionals, and strong technical universities makes Northern Ireland the right choice for this new centre.”

Contrast Security announced $65m in Series D funding in February 2019, bringing the company’s total funding raised to $122m. 

Picture: Alastair Hamilton (left) and Alan Naumann