Belfast IT and cybersecurity specialist Qualcom plans further expansion, forecasting 15% growth in 2026 and creating five new jobs as demand for secure payment and retail technology services accelerates.
Qualcom has reported a 30% increase in annual revenues in Northern Ireland, driven by growing demand from retailers investing in secure digital payment systems, loyalty platforms and online ordering technologies.
The Irish IT and cybersecurity provider said it expects momentum to continue throughout 2026, forecasting a further 15% increase in regional revenues and expanding its Belfast workforce to meet rising customer demand.
“Reputation is key in retail and it’s vital that sensitive customer information remains protected as cyber threats grow”
The company plans to create five additional roles at its Belfast office by the end of the year, increasing its Northern Ireland headcount to 21 employees. Recruitment is already under way for a range of engineering positions, including both on-site and field-based roles.
According to Qualcom, much of its recent growth has been fuelled by the retail sector as businesses continue to modernise their operations and customer experiences. Retailers are increasingly adopting integrated technologies that support card and app-based payments, loyalty programmes and online ordering, often across multiple locations.
Cybersecurity awareness
As these systems become more sophisticated, businesses are placing greater emphasis on secure connectivity, regular software maintenance and cybersecurity protections to safeguard customer and financial data.
The company said retailers are also seeking greater levels of operational support to ensure systems continue running smoothly. Qualcom has seen increasing demand for engineers who can provide on-site assistance, helping businesses resolve issues quickly, minimise disruption and maintain service continuity.
The approach has proved particularly valuable for organisations without extensive internal IT resources. By offering dedicated technical support, including engineers who can remain on-site after implementation, Qualcom is helping customers address skills shortages while reducing the operational pressures associated with managing technology infrastructure.
The company said its staff-as-a-service model is becoming increasingly popular among organisations seeking flexible and cost-effective ways to manage IT operations, particularly when covering employee leave and periods of absence.
Qualcom is also assisting businesses with hardware procurement and device logistics, helping simplify customs and excise processes that continue to affect some organisations trading across borders.
Leeann Saunders, Managing Director for Northern Ireland at Qualcom, said the changing retail environment is creating new demands for resilient and secure technology infrastructure.
“As the retail landscape continues to rapidly evolve, there is a growing demand for resilient IT infrastructure that can support secure and streamlined customer experiences, regardless of how they may choose to shop.
“Reputation is key in retail and it’s vital that sensitive customer information remains protected as cyber threats grow. This will not only strengthen public perception but ensure that operations can continue uninterrupted. In this vein, IT security is an increasing focus for boards and senior leadership teams in the retail sector as organisations place greater emphasis on resilience and securing confidential data.”
Saunders said the company’s recruitment drive reflects continued customer demand and the need for specialist expertise across Northern Ireland.
“We are expanding our team in Northern Ireland to meet this increasing demand, bridge technical skills gaps and reduce pressure on organisations. This year, we will continue to work closely with our customers to deliver enterprise-grade capabilities without the enterprise-grade distance.”
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