US tech firm to create 30 R&D jobs in Galway

THE INFORMATION technology security business is virtually “recession proof”, according to a US company that is creating 30 new jobs in research and development in Galway.

The economic downturn is proving to be opportune for those companies seeking highly-skilled research staff, Colleen Shannon, chief finance officer of Lumension Security, acknowledged yesterday, as her company announced the establishment of its new research centre in Galway city.

The company, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, specialises in “endpoint security solutions” – developing security software for the information technology sector. It has maintained branches in Europe since 1991.

It has developed “patch and vulnerability management software”, and offers assessment, remediation and support services to companies who need to identify and protect “security holes” in computer systems.

IDA Ireland has supported the development, which was welcomed by Minister of State for Housing and Local Services, Michael Finneran. “The decision by a company of the calibre of Lumension to choose Ireland as the location for this significant investment in information technology adds further impetus to Ireland’s reputation as a leading location for software development operations,” he said in Galway yesterday.

Ireland’s “vibrant economy” boasting “technological innovation at many levels”, and the State’s “innovative approach” to attracting a “highly skilled pool of talent in the technology area”, combined with tax incentives and a “modern infrastructure and a flexible business environment”, were cited by Ms Shannon yesterday as the main reasons for the decision to opt for the Irish west coast.

The company had examined other locations for the new base in Asia, but was attracted by the skilled English-speaking workforce available in the west of Ireland, she said.

Lumension president and chief technology officer Mike Wittig said the company planned to expand its base in Ireland as the company grew. The 30 positions will range from senior engineers and quality assurance engineers to management staff.