Lancaster University partnership aims to help combat cyber crime

The partnership will signal a range of collaborations, including joint research projects that will help to develop the knowledge and technologies needed to combat cybercrime.

Awais Rashid, director of Security Lancaster, the university’s centre of excellence for cyber security research, said: “Lancaster University welcomes the opportunity to forge a close relationship with a dynamic high-growth strategic corporate partner in Nettitude.

“Nettitude has developed a strong reputation within the cyber security industry and our partnership will help to underpin our high-quality research and ensure that we are able to have a direct impact on ensuring businesses, and the UK economy, are protected from malicious attacks.”

Dr Jules Pagna Disso, head of research and development from Nettitude, said: “It is very important for us to create partnerships with institutions such as Lancaster University, as they are attracting some of the brightest young minds to the discipline of cyber security.

“As an organisation, we recognise the importance of investing in research initiatives like this which will help to both make advancements in how we secure data and systems, as well as nurture new talent.”

Lancaster University has a long history of providing world-class research and training on issues relating to the safety and security of UK society.

The university delivers a GCHQ-approved Masters degree in Cyber Security, and its Security Lancaster research centre has been awarded Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research by GCHQ and the EPSRC.

The partnership with Nettitude has already resulted in the creation of a joint project entitled ‘ICS/SCADA Risk Framework and Passive Network Appliance’.

The project, which has been awarded funding by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, will involve the development of a framework and network based appliance that will provide end users within complex supply chains with the relevant knowledge and visibility of their key areas of risk.

The creation of a common framework will provide consistency across the supply chain, helping organisations to identify the priorities and actions needed to ensure a robust security posture is maintained.

The project is expected to last 18 months and is due to begin in autumn 2015.