Lancaster University unveils cutting-edge computing and cyber security facilities

By Rob Kelly

24 Apr 2025

Head of Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications Professor Nigel Davies, Chris Ensor, Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Sarah Kemp

Lancaster University has officially opened one of the largest educational facilities in the country to help train the next generation of computer science and cyber security students.

The facilities, opened by Chris Ensor, Deputy Director, National Cyber Security Centre, were given a £4m grant from the Office for Students (OfS).

They will support teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, an executive MBA and professional training and reskilling.

The new developments demonstrate the university's ambitions to support the growth in demand for experts in computer science, data science, software engineering and cyber security. They include:

  • Eight specialist teaching laboratories – co-created by students and equipped with the latest technology, the labs support large-scale data visualisation, software engineering, computer-intensive tasks, and cyber security programming. The labs are a highly customisable environment designed to meet the needs of different students, modes of study and enhance the overall student experience.
  • Data Immersion Suite – The suite and accompanying control room are dedicated teaching and research facilities with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment including a 22-metre partial wrap-around video wall comprising of 48x55’’ high resolution screens. The facility enables students, academics, policy makers and engineers to explore complex problems using on-screen data visualisations with real-time updates from cyber and physical systems. It allows users to generate scenarios which unfold over hours or days to create a life-like experience.

The Data Immersion Suite offers businesses and industry the opportunity to engage with experts from Lancaster University to understand how they can use the facility to explore data-driven solutions tailored to their business. ​

The suite enables organisations to collaborate with Lancaster researchers, carry out training sessions, and conduct practical workshops.

The opening coincides with the arrival of the National Cyber Force (NCF) in Salmesbury, Lancashire, which presents a unique opportunity for the region to establish itself as a leader in cyber security.

With an anticipated need for approximately 30,000 highly skilled professionals in core cyber roles and a projected quadrupling of the sector’s economic output to £2.8 billion, Lancaster University is strategically poised to help bridge the cyber skills gap and drive innovation with industry.

The new facilities are central to Lancaster University’s Data Cyber Quarter and support the launch of Security and Protection Science at Lancaster, a £19m initiative to boost the University’s teaching and research capabilities around cyber security.

For more information about the facilities, please contact [email protected]

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 Oct 2025

2

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

3

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

4

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

5

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth Peter Heskine

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth

16 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin