Minister officially opens cutting-edge security operations centre at Burnley College

31-10-24 - Ministeral Visit - Abena Oppong-Asare -5.jpg.jpg

Burnley College hosted Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, for the grand opening of its new Security Operations Centre.

The College’s state-of-the-art facility is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity in Lancashire and beyond, equipping students and professionals with the skills needed to tackle emerging security challenges.

Burnley College has been awarded Gold CyberFirst status, a government initiative to nurture and develop the very best young talent in the field of cybersecurity.

During her time at the Princess Way Campus, the minister was shown the impressive facilities by Burnley College Principal Karen Buchanan.

The minister officially opened the Security Operations Centre, a dedicated cyber security suite where students can experience simulated cyber-attacks and respond using cutting-edge equipment.

Students also led her through three training exercises, about personal, national and commercial security where she detected virtual spam emails, allocated security budgets and went online to hunt for clues to catch the simulated hackers.

A group of Burnley College media students also took the opportunity to interview the Minister about the future of cyber security and how today’s students can shape its future.

Minister Oppong-Asare, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, said: “I'm delighted to visit Burnley College and open the new Security Operations Centre. The state-of-the-art facility is an investment in the future security of Lancashire and the whole of the UK - helping to train the next generation of cyber security professionals.

“I also congratulate Burnley College on being awarded a gold CyberFirst award for their commitment and dedication to cyber education. It’s a real achievement and testament to the staff and students.”

The minister also visited a Cybersecurity Skills Carousel at Burnley College attended by educators from Primary School level to degree-level, where she was told how cybersecurity is becoming a key part of curricula in the North West.

Representatives of the Lancashire Cyber Partnership (LCP) spoke with the Minister on the once in a generation cyber opportunity coming to Lancashire with the upcoming arrival of the National Cyber Force, and the position of Burnley College’s cyber facilities as a part of the county’s world-class cyber strengths and fast-growing cyber ecosystem.

The LCP comprises Lancashire County Council (LCC); the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan); Lancaster University; BAE Systems and the National Cyber Force (NCF) and works closely with the Lancashire Colleges.

Principal at Burnley College Karen Buchanan said she was honoured the Government chose to visit our facilities:

She said: “The Security Operations Centre at Burnley College is a testament to our dedication to fostering innovative solutions and training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

“The minister’s visit underscores the importance of our work with companies of all sizes to train their employees, ensuring a more secure future for everyone. Our new facility is a beacon of innovation and partnership."

Minister Oppong-Asare was appointed Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office in July. Her responsibilities include helping to oversee national security, civil contingencies and resilience.

Do you see your career being in cybersecurity? Secure your qualifications at a College which equips you for the future. Burnley College prides itself on working with employers from SMEs to global aerospace engineering giants creating the workforces of the future. www.burnley.ac.uk

Enjoyed this? Read more from Burnley College

Latest news

1

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild Karen Lilley Front Of House Lecturer David McKown David Lyon Scholars Manager And Blackburn College Principal Dr Fazal Dad

College restaurant honoured with top culinary award from prestigious chefs’ guild

10 Jun 2025

2

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley Badgequo have agreed to let the site on Frontier Park

Cosmetic manufacturer lets new unit on Frontier Park, Burnley

10 Jun 2025

3

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment Kamal Essa

SQ Digital celebrates 25 years and enters new era with CEO appointment

09 Jun 2025

4

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management Graham Cowley

New chair appointed to Atlas BFW Management

09 Jun 2025

5

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director Napthens appointments Jayna Mistry, Onyeka-Obedi and Rebecca Rhodes

Napthens makes key appointments to further growth strategy of newly appointed managing director

09 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking
Sub36 Social1200pxandi Lewis
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

Mytton Fold Hotel , Blackburn , BB6 8AB

09:30 - 11:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College Industry Hub, Burnley, BB120AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
12 Jun 2025 - 12 Jun 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron
BU-June-Event-BRAD-1.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025

Midnight Oil: The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Scaling Strategies with Brad Waldron

Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Rd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ

08:30 - 11:30

Chamber Business Lunch – June
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – June

Lancaster House Hotel, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 13:30

90 day Business Planning Workshop
LBV Event Header.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
20 Jun 2025 - 20 Jun 2025

90 day Business Planning Workshop

Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

09:00 - 16:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin