A HIGH-TECH Halesowen cyber-security company at the forefront of the battle between hackers and the Government were visited by the Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude MP.

Advent IM, Gorsty Hill Road, is one of the most advanced companies in the world and helps both Government and private corporations keep valuable data from the hands of internet thieves.

After winning several Government contracts through the new G-Cloud system of procuring business the minister, who is responsible for cyber-security, decided to visit the firm's Halesowen HQ - which employs 13 people.

He said: "I visited Advent IM in Halesowen on the recommendation of local MP James Morris as they are a cyber security consultancy who have won business through our online G Cloud."

He added: "As part of this Government's long-term economic plan we are opening up public procurement to ensure more smaller business can win contracts.

"We have scrapped unnecessary bureaucracy from the procurement process and over half of business through G Cloud is going to SMEs".

Yesterday (Thursday) Mr Maude spoke at length with Advent co-founders Mike Gillespie and Julia McCarron, to find out more about the cyber security work the company delivers.

Mr Gillespie explained the principles of a holistic and risk based approach to security and Mr Maude was interested in how this translated into solid governance in business. Mr Maude was also keen to find out more about threat of cyber threats and the impact on offices and business premises.

Advent co-founder Julia McCarron said: "It was great to be able to speak to the minister who was interested in our work and our history as a company.

"It was nice to be singled out by him as we have won several Government contracts and cyber-security is now important for both the public and the private sector."

She added: "Since a civil servant left a USB stick on a train with lots of data the Government tightened up on security but now the private sector is realising it has to do the same and we are there to help them."