‘Cyber threat actors are running like a business’: Gareth Williams, Global Vice President Operations & International for Cyber at Thales Group, addresses Cardiff Business Club

 Gareth Williams, Global Vice President Operations & International for Cyber at Thales Group, addressed Cardiff Business Club in the Club’s third event of the year.

In the event at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff on March 21, Gareth spoke to guests about his career progression from an apprenticeship with Rolls Royce to overseeing the operations of Thales’ global cyber business in 14 countries across Europe and the globe.

Thales Group has around 80,000 employees, designing and building technological solutions for sectors including aerospace, defence, digital security, transport and space.

Speaking about the impact of cyber threats on business, Gareth said: “Cyber security threats continue to evolve and grow in sophistication. We have seen more attacks in 2023 so far than the whole of last year.

“Organised crime is currently the biggest threat and will continue to be a major threat to UK industry going forward as the cyber threat actors are now running like a business; planning for growth, forming partnerships and looking to address skills shortages.”

In Wales, Gareth leads the development of the National Digital Exploitation Centre and ResilientWorks, a technology campus in Ebbw Vale which has created full time jobs, PhD studentships and apprenticeships.

Gareth said: “We are proud to be creating valuable education pathways with schools, further and higher education institutions to export knowledge from Ebbw Vale. Wales has the intellectual capability, the industrial pedigree and the talent to play a significant role in global cyber if we get the partnerships right.”

The event was sponsored by Deloitte and the University of South Wales and followed Dan Frumkin, CEO of Metro Bank, addressing the Club in January and a special International Women’s Day event featuring broadcaster Felicity Evans in conversation with Professor Laura McAllister CBE earlier this month.

For details on all of the Club’s events, visit www.cardiffbusinessclub.org/events