Cyber Research Institute launched to curb cyber threats to the UK

Following the launch of the UK's first Academic Research Institute in September 2012 to investigate new ways of automatically analysing computer software to reduce its vulnerability to cyber threats, a second such research institute has now gone operational.

Both Academic Research Institutes form part of a cross-government commitment to increase the UK's academic capability in all fields of Cyber Security.

According to the UK's the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the second Academic Research Institute has been in operation since 1 April 2013

It will undertake research into techniques for 'automated program analysis and verification' of computer software. The output from the Research Institute will provide businesses, individuals and government an environment for software to behave in a secure fashion when installed on operational networks.

This institute has been established by Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in partnership with EPSRC through the Research Councils UK (RCUK) Global Uncertainties Programme and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Funded by a £4.5-million grant, the new Research Institute is made up of leading researchers in fields such as mathematical logic, programming languages and program analysis from teams from six universities selected following a competitive process, in which they had to devise new research projects to address three key challenge areas in computer security - vulnerability discovery; malware analysis and classification of code, Improved defences and mitigations.

The qualifying unversities are Queen Mary, University of London, working with University of Kent and University College London, University of Edinburgh,    Imperial College London, University College London, University of Kent working with University College London and The University of Manchester.

This collaboration allows leading UK academics in the field of cyber security to connect with industry security experts and international researchers to tackle some of the UK's toughest challenges in Cyber Security. This collaborative approach between academia, industry and government will ensure that research is relevant and inspired by real world, cutting edge, security issues.

Imperial College London has been selected to host the Research Institute, with Professor Philippa Gardner taking the role of director of Research.

Professor Gardner says, "The creation of this Research Institute recognises the excellence of UK research in automated program analysis and verification. It provides an exciting opportunity to focus this research on cyber security."

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: "This institute will build on the UK's global reputation for cyber security research and innovation. It complements wider work government is doing in partnership with academia and industry to boost the economy through improved cyber security. This includes the Cyber Growth Partnership which met for the first time this week."

David Delpy, EPSRC's Chief Executive, said: "We rely on the structures of the online world as much as we depend on physical infrastructure and utilities. Academic research that both evaluates threats and devises appropriate defences and safeguards is vital to our national and personal security. Fundamental and applied science and engineering have important roles to play here."