Minister O’Keeffe announces 50 jobs in internet security firm

Monday, 24 May, 2010

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Monday] announced 50 jobs over the next two years in an internet security firm which is to establish its international headquarters in Dublin.

Webroot, based in Boulder, Colorado, was established in 1997.

The company develops internet security solutions for consumers and businesses.

Webroot protects corporate networks from online and internal threats and allows consumers to download music, store digital files, bank, shop and search safely.

The 50 new employees, who will be based in Ballsbridge in Dublin, will initially work in areas such as sales, marketing, engineering, inventory and customer support.

Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘Ireland has again demonstrated that it can out-perform our competitors in attracting high-growth international firms to hub here.

‘Clearly, our business environment and graduate skills set are important factors in drawing international players to locate in Ireland.

‘IDA Ireland worked closely with Webroot to secure the win for Ireland and provide 50 high-quality jobs over the next two years.’

The chief executive of Webroot, Dick Williams, said: ‘Webroot will grow our business aggressively through investments in research and development, acquisitions and by building a world-class support organisation.

‘Establishing an international headquarters in Ireland will give us access to top talent and enable us to expand our global footprint to become the best company in the world at delivering security as a service.’

The chief executive of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary, welcomed the establishment of the international headquarters in Ireland.

‘Webroot is a technological leader in the emerging and exciting area of cloud computing which is a strategic focus for IDA Ireland and is a priority for development and support,’ he said.

ENDS/ETI2219

Editors’ notes:

Webroot, a Boulder, Colorado-based company, provides industry-leading security solutions to consumers, enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises worldwide. Webroot is a privately held company backed by some of the industry’s leading VC firms including Technology Crossover Ventures, Accel Partners and Mayfield. Webroot employs more than 400 people worldwide in the US, Western Europe, Japan and Australia.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Bernard Mallee, Press Adviser to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, on Tel: +353 1 631 3944, Mobile: +353 87 9173022, Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie