Rapid7

Rapid7: Advancing Cyber Security Innovation from Northern Ireland

Rapid7’s Belfast office plays a crucial role in meeting global demand for cutting-edge cyber security solutions, empowering organisations to securely navigate the digital age. 

Confronting Modern Cyber Security Challenges 

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and frequent, organisations face increasing pressure to protect their digital assets while navigating challenges like the cyber security talent shortage and rising costs of advanced technologies. Rapid7 addresses these issues by providing solutions that simplify cyber security, delivering actionable insights, and improving overall resilience.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Rapid7 operates globally with offices in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and a key office in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The company’s comprehensive portfolio of services includes vulnerability management, threat detection, cloud security, and managed services, enabling businesses to detect, respond to, and mitigate cyber risks effectively. 

More than 10,000 companies across 125 countries, including 52% of the Fortune 100, rely on Rapid7’s cyber security software and services to keep their IT safe and secure.

Belfast: A Strategic Hub for Cyber Security Excellence

Rapid7 established its presence in Belfast in 2014, recognising Northern Ireland as a prime location for innovation and growth in the cyber security sector. Despite having offices across the Americas, IMEA and APAC, the company needed a well-trained workforce of engineering, development and customer support professionals to service its growing client base – particularly their European customers. 

With support from Invest NI, Rapid7 selected Belfast as a strategic hub due to the region’s skilled workforce, academic partnerships, and collaborative tech ecosystem. Invest NI facilitated Rapid7’s entry into the region, providing financial support, assisting with recruitment, and connections to local research centres, including the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT).

From an initial investment which created 75 highly skilled roles, the Belfast office is now the company’s largest engineering and development centre, employing c530 employees who contribute to some of Rapid7’s most advanced product lines and services. 

Delivering Cyber Security Solutions for a Global Market

Rapid7’s Belfast team plays a critical role in the development of its flagship solutions, including: 

• InsightVM and InsightIDR: Industry-leading platforms for vulnerability management and threat detection.
• Managed Detection and Response (MDR): A service helping organisations identify and respond to cyber threats 24/7.
• Cloud Security: Solutions to secure applications and infrastructure in cloud environments. 

The Belfast office supports clients across key industries, including healthcare, financial services, retail, and government. By combining local talent with Rapid7’s global expertise, the team delivers innovative solutions that empower organisations to protect their operations, data, and customers. 

Investing in Growth

Rapid7’s commitment to Northern Ireland extends beyond business operations. The company actively supports community initiatives, STEM education programmes, cyber security training, and cyber security research, contributing to the region’s growing reputation as a global cyber security hub. 

In 2024, Rapid7 launched new security research partnership CSIT. This research, through the Cyber AI Technology Hub, aims to drive ongoing innovation in cloud security utilising artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning techniques to detect risks and active threats within cloud environments.

Looking Ahead: Securing the Digital Future

Rapid7’s investment and growth in Northern Ireland is a testament to the region’s ability to drive global innovation in cyber security. From its Belfast hub, Rapid7 continues to strengthen its solutions, safeguard its clients, and contribute to the growth of a secure digital ecosystem worldwide.