In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is becoming progressively essential as businesses are using it for protecting personal data, information, company software and business operations. Regions excelling in cybersecurity infrastructure are securing a strong global standing, attracting global investments, talent, and strategic partnerships. It’s the case with Barcelona.
Key Information on Cybersecurity in Barcelona:
- 516 companies in the sector, experiencing 50% growth over the past five years.
- Combined turnover of €1.244 billion, employing nearly 10,000 skilled professionals.
- Company count increase of 4.2% between 2023 and 2024, and 46.6% over the past six years.
- 89.9% of companies specialise in protection solutions, while 58.7% focus on identification technologies.
- 3rd in Europe for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in cybersecurity.
Notable Companies
Global technology giants such as Microsoft and IBM maintain significant cybersecurity operations in Barcelona, with locally founded firms also strengthening the sector. Scytl, born in Barcelona, is a global leader in secure electronic voting and e-governance security solutions, having been used in elections and referendums in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and all 27 EU member states. Other notable local firms include Blueliv, recognised for cyber threat intelligence, Red Points, specialising in brand protection technology, Herta focused on advanced facial recognition, and Telefónica Tech, the latter being present in 175 countries.
Research in Cybersecurity
Barcelona’s strength in cybersecurity is driven by local research and academic innovation. The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), home to MareNostrum—one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputers—actively contributes to cybersecurity research, recently launching Spain’s first quantum computer, which advances cryptographic research and secure communications.
Additionally, institutes such as the Computer Vision Center (CVC), the Telecommunications Technological Centre of Catalonia (CTTC), i2CAT Foundation, and Eurecat offer innovation in AI, computer vision, and secure communications, collaborating closely with industry partners. Universities in Barcelona further strengthen the sector by producing cybersecurity talent through specialised academic programs, including around thirteen master’s and postgraduate degrees focused on cybersecurity and cyber defense.
Investment and International Collaboration
Barcelona’s cybersecurity ecosystem has successfully drawn international attention, being ranked third in Europe for cybersecurity-related FDI and securing over €880 million in foreign investment in 2023. The city also consistently ranks among Europe’s leading tech hubs, attracting substantial corporate expansion.
Barcelona actively collaborates with international bodies. The Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress (BCC), co-organized by the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency alongside entities such as INCIBE (Spain’s national cybersecurity institute) and the European Cybersecurity Competence Center (ECCC), serves as a key networking and knowledge exchange platform. Additionally, Barcelona actively contributes to EU cybersecurity research projects and participates in international initiatives, such as the Geneva Declaration.
Events and Networking
Catalonia regularly hosts influential cybersecurity events that showcase local expertise and draw international attention. The flagship Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress annually gathers global cybersecurity leaders, attracting over 80 exhibitors—including Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and Telefónica Tech—with thousands of international attendees and more than 100 countries represented.
Complementing BCC, Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), Smart City Expo World Congress, and Tomorrow Mobility consistently integrate cybersecurity topics into their agendas, addressing critical issues in mobile security, smart city infrastructure, and urban transport. Additionally, local meetups like the Barcelona Cybersecurity Meetup facilitate continuous learning, networking, and innovation exchanges within the sector.
This vibrant ecosystem, supported by proactive investment, innovation-focused research, and international collaboration, positions Barcelona as a premier European cybersecurity hub.
