WHEN Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude visited Worcester to officially open the new headquarters of cyber security company Titania - which has moved across the city from St Mary's Street to Barbourne - he took the chance to check out its flagship product Nipper Studio.

The software is the brainchild of Titania's founder Ian Whiting and has become the widespread choice of government institutions, military and intelligence agencies. Mr Maude, whose Cabinet brief covers cyber security, was given a demonstration by Edwin Bentley, lead software developer for Nipper, who lives in Droitwich and began with the company as an apprentice only three and a half years ago.

The aim of Nipper has been to make penetration testing of systems faster and easier and it has now been picked up by the private sector as more information security staff in finance, technology and telecommunications discover the tool.

Mr Maude said: "As the Minister with responsibility for cyber security, I know how important it is that people and businesses to protect themselves online. As part of this Government’s long-term economic plan, we want the UK to be one of the safest places in the world to do business. But as the Malvern Cluster demonstrates, cyber security is also a business of the future in its own right. It already employs some 40,000 people and is worth £6 billion, and we want to see it grow further.

"If we’re going to enhance the UK’s cyber resilience – and grow our cyber businesses - then we also need the right people with the right skills coming into the workforce. Although many of the companies in Malvern are small, they can inspire young people by demonstrating the kind of career opportunities that exist in cyber security. So I’m particularly pleased and grateful that Titania, among other companies, supports cyber apprenticeships and is working in partnership with Worcester University to promote cyber security as a career choice.

"The spirit of Bletchley Park has continued to inspire innovation for over sixty years. The challenge of cyber security must be met by both technical innovation and entrepreneurial ambition, backed by world-class skills and research. The UK has all of this in spades. This is a strength for Worcester and a strength for Britain - and we’re determined to seize the opportunities the digital revolution presents for jobs and innovation."