By Business & Finance 
The global leader in cloud security recently filed accounts with the CRO, showing a strong commitment to its operations in Ireland.
Ireland to date has been highly successful in establishing a key interest in the growth of cloud computing technology, an industry that is estimated to be worth $149bn globally by 2015.
Cork has become something of a hub in this sector, with a list of major players operating in the county, not least global leader in cloud security, Trend Micro. The company established its EMEA Operations Centre in Cork in 2003, initially as a shared service centre delivering back-office support. However, it has since significantly expanded and now has responsibility for 15 functions, including financial shared services, business application services centre and technical support.
Trend Micro recently filed annual accounts with the Companies Registration Office that show further consolidation of the group in Ireland. The reorganisation of other European group companies under the Trend Micro EMEA company registered in Ireland, coupled with sustained investment in Cork, including a new extension to the plant in 2012, show a strong and sustained commitment to Ireland.
With cash on hand of over €100mn and a strong balance sheet, Trend Micro EMEA reported another successful year with net profits before tax of €8.6mn. This compares with €10.3mn pre-tax profit filed in 2011. The difference is attributed to foreign exchange losses against foreign exchange gains in 2010.
Headquartered in Tokyo and originally established in the US in 1988, Trend Micro is one of the leading global consumer brands. The company operates 36 offices worldwide and its services are utilised by 48 of the top 50 global corporations across the motor, telecom, financial, oil, and other industries.
Trend Micro develops internet content security and threat management solutions for businesses and consumers. A pioneer in server security with over 20 years’ experience, the company’s aim is to deliver top-ranked client, server and cloud-based security that stops new threats faster, and protects data in physical, virtualised and cloud environments.
In the 20 years since the company was founded, technologies such as the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network and Worry Free solutions have increasingly become market leaders. The Trend Micro Smart Protection Network forms part of the company’s industry-leading cloud-computing security technology and its products and services stop threats where they emerge on the internet, and are supported by over 1,000 threat intelligence experts around the globe.
To underline the role Trend Micro plays in internet security, Trend Micro’s operation in Cork last month hosted the international cyber security protection alliance (ICSPA) meeting to discuss the increasing battle against cybercrime. Experts and security organisations, including Europol, the European Police Agency and the European Cybercrime Task Force met and signed a memorandum of understanding to underline the commitment to collaborating in the fight against cybercrime.
Trend Micro is one of the founding members of the ICSPA and senior vice-president EMEA and head of global business operations Anthony O’Mara, spoke after the ICSPA meeting, saying that bravery within innovation is key to the future of online security. Following the release of the EMEA business’ annual accounts, O’Mara also spoke about the continued importance the Irish operation has played to Trend Micro globally in 2012.
“Trend Micro EMEA remains an integral part of the Trend Micro Group as it continues to grow worldwide,” he said.
“Our innovative security and cloud products continue to perform very strongly and we are delighted to consolidate our position in Ireland further. In 2012, we have invested yet again in the EMEA operations in Ireland with a new extension to our plant in Cork which ensures our ability to expand to meet market demands.”
O’Mara joined Trend Micro in April 2001, bringing with him experience gained from three years at Axent technology and four years at Sun Microsystems.
He joined as EMEA financial director and was in charge of streamlining the company’s EMEA operations.
This was achieved with the opening of the Cork service centre in July 2003. In 2012, O’Mara took on the additional role of head of global business operations.
