BUOYANCY OF current spending on security technology was confirmed this week with two local firms announcing significant investments and expansion of their workforce.

Integrity Solutions, which claims to be Ireland’s largest security specialist, has invested €1.05 million to build a new network operations centre at its Dublin headquarters. The centre includes a new managed helpdesk and test equipment for its in-house security laboratory.

Twelve new jobs are being created as a result of the investment.

Separately, the new Dublin HQ of data security specialists Espion will be opened by Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan today. The company said it plans to create an extra 12 jobs over the next 18 months. The company specialises in identifying risks to information, and third-party security firms such as Integrity Solutions implement the technology required to address such risks.

Espion will focus on research and development, expansion internationally and development of new services, in particular those based on cloud computing, according to managing director Colman Morrissey.

Espion has recently expanded into Scotland where it has won a number of contracts, and Mr Morrissey said it was recruiting to support that business.

Integrity’s new network operations centre will enable it to take over the running of security services for large clients.

Eoin Goulding, managing director and founder of Integrity Solutions, gave the example of a large telecoms operator which might have as many as 60 firewalls controlling access to its networks.

“The rules of those firewalls have to be changed daily just to keep things up and running,” said Mr Goulding. He said Integrity can provide the service cheaper than clients can do it themselves. It is able to offer a 24/7 service, and has relationships with technology vendors which ensure it is current with changes to products.

Mr Goulding said Integrity had a record year in 2009 with revenues growing 65 per cent to €7.7 million. Mr Morrissey said the second half of the year was particularly strong, and increased regulation was driving financial services companies to invest in Espion’s services.