A CYBER security team based in Newport has been given the seal of approval by the UK Government’s communications and intelligence headquarters GCHQ.

The master’s course in computer forensics based at the newly-created National Cyber Security Academy at the University of South Wales’ Newport campus has been granted provisional certification from the Cheltenham-based government organisation, it was announced today, Monday.

While the university is one of 14 across the UK to receive certification, it is only one to be recognised in the masters-level computer forensics field and the only one in Wales.

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns welcomed the announcement.

"The seal of approval from GCHQ to the University of South Wales is a prestigious accolade which once again puts Wales on the world map for the outstanding quality of its higher education,” he said.

"Cyber security is, as we all know, an area of ever increasing concern and Wales is now in the forefront of producing the experts and research we need to tackle the complex problems it raises."

The university’s vice-chancellor Professor Julie Lydon said: “Cyber security is ranked by the UK Government alongside terrorism, military crises, and natural disasters as major national security threats, and it costs private businesses many millions each year.

“Both industry and government understand the growing need for the right skills to conquer these threats.

“Recognition from GCHQ for our master’s course shows that the University of South Wales is at leading the way when it comes to training cyber experts.

“It shows that our expertise is of the highest quality.”

And head of the information security at the university Professor Andrew Blyth said the certification showed the course was “at the cutting edge” in the field.

“We have been working closely with other official and commercial bodies for many years to develop the skills needed to counter threats that exist both externally and within and organisation’s systems,” he said.

"Cyber security is, as we all know, an area of ever increasing concern and Wales is now in the forefront of producing the experts and research we need to tackle the complex problems it raises."

The University of South Wales’ academy is a joint initiative with the Welsh Government and tech firms including Airbus, General Dynamics and QinetiQ aimed at training the next generation of cyber security experts.

It will take on its first group of students in October.