Lancaster Uni invests £19m to boost UK cyber defences

hacker2Lancaster University is aiming to tap into the burgeoning data and cyber security market with the launch of a £19m Security and Protection Science Initiative, to boost research, teaching and innovation capabilities.

The initiative has been designed to support the Government’s incoming National Cyber Force and the development of the North West Cyber Corridor and builds on the university’s credentials, as it is one of only a handful of UK institutions whose education, research and training is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre.

The investment will include the recruitment of 33 new cross-disciplinary academics to work on the initiative, plus 15 professor in practice roles and 10 support staff.

The project will also see a substantial investment in regenerating the south end of Lancaster’s Bailrigg Campus to create a state-of-the-art Data Cyber Quarter, which will also generate new partnership opportunities with the university.

Vice-chancellor Andy Schofield said: “In the world in which we live, the threat of cyber attacks is ubiquitous and can impact us all as we go about our work and family life.

“Lancaster’s approach to cyber security considers these challenges in a holistic way which goes beyond creating the technological solutions. By bringing together experts from a variety of academic disciplines, the university examines the sociological, psychological, economic, political and technological aspects of cyber security. This approach offers more robust solutions to the threats faced by the UK in the 21st Century.

“This is not just evident in our research and teaching but also in our engagement with leading stakeholders in this area across the public, private and third sectors, who have real confidence in our position.”

Related stories
Academia ‘still not doing enough to push tech roles’
Industry is facing ‘worst ever’ talent crisis, say bosses
Marketing firms among the most tight fisted on pay
Booming demand for data experts triggers salary war
Data science roles now the highest paid in tech industry
UK firms facing talent crisis as millions plan to quit job
Big issues still to tackle in 2022: The talent contest