Lancaster University launches £19m data and cyber security initiative

Lancaster University has launched a multi-million-pound investment in its data and cyber security research, teaching and innovation capabilities.

The £19m Security and Protection Science at Lancaster initiative has been designed to support the government’s incoming National Cyber Force and the development of the North West Cyber Corridor. 

It builds on the university’s credentials as a world leader in this area, as Lancaster is one of only a handful of universities in the UK 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 generate exciting new partnership opportunities with the University.

Andy Schofield, vice-chancellor  said: “In the world in which we live today, 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.”