Oxford University Reinforces British Cyber Security

Uploaded on 2024-11-19 in NEWS-Cybersecurity News, Education & Research

A new network led by Oxford University’s Department of Computer Science aims to protect cyber security in the UK and beyond, realise the benefits of emerging technologies, and better prepare society against future cyber threats. 

The Cyber Security Research and Networking Environment (CRANE) NetworkPlus is supported by a £6 million investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It aims to be a collaborative hub, a ‘one-stop shop’ for engagement between the research community and other sectors, including government, industry, and non-profit organisations. 

The UK is the third most targeted country in the world for cyber-attacks, after Ukraine and the United States. Launching in early 2025, the CRANE initiative aims to create new insights into how to achieve security by design and default. The goal is to drive better cyber security across the economy, including sectors from manufacturing and healthcare to law enforcement. This will make businesses, charities, communities, and people more resilient against cyber threats.

The network will provide leadership in spotting emerging global trends and national strengths in cyber security, including understanding the potential of game-changing technologies from artificial intelligence to quantum computing.

Project lead Professor Andrew Martin of the Department of Computer Science, Oxford University, said: ‘There is a pressing need for improvements in cyber security across a broad spectrum of social and technical research. We want to help the community to identify areas where research can bring the most benefit and encourage its development right across the UK and beyond.’

CRANE will have the following core objectives:

 

  • Support the UK National Cyber Strategy: CRANE’s work is aligned with the UK National Cyber Strategy, and by building a robust cyber ecosystem and maintaining a competitive technological advantage, CRANE aims to boost the UK’s resilience against cyber threats nationally and internationally.
  • Build and nurture a research-driven ecosystem: CRANE will advance research across disciplines, including computer science, psychology, social sciences, law, and economics. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, CRANE will work to create a transformative research environment where academics, industry leaders, and policymakers can share insights and address emerging challenges.
  • Identify game-changing opportunities: CRANE will identify breakthrough opportunities, and through a structured horizon-scanning process will seek to capitalise on these opportunities by anticipating research needs and opportunities. This will allow researchers to stay ahead of trends and adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
  • Establish a new learned society: CRANE plans to establish the first learned society dedicated to cyber security research. This will bring together researchers from across disciplines and provide UK businesses, government, and the voluntary, charity, and community sectors with a key connection point to access experts nationally and internationally.
  • Foster an inclusive community: CRANE is committed to building an inclusive and diverse community of professionals and researchers. Through a combination of online and in-person regional events, CRANE will provide opportunities for collaboration while making participation accessible to researchers across the UK, minimising the need for travel.

CRANE will be co-led by Professors Lynne Coventry from Abertay University, Adam Joinson from the University of Bath, Steven Murdoch from University College London, and Mark Ryan from the University of Birmingham.  An integrative approach will facilitate international collaboration and encourage the UK’s cyber security ecosystem to connect with global peers, strengthening its position on the international stage. 

In addition, a horizon-scanning process will guide the development of CRANE’s research agenda, ensuring the initiative remains responsive to current needs and emerging threats.

These actions, alongside regional activities, face to face/online events, and a small grants scheme for early-stage research projects will help nurture talent across the UK, support the career development of future world-class cyber professionals, and create a long-term sustainable community.

Oxford University   |   Dept. of Computer Science   |    UKRI   |   Gov.UK

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