Experts at De Montfort University’s Cyber Technology Institute are paving the way for teaching and research in a rapidly evolving field
With technology an ever-present tool in our lives, the demand for cybersecurity expertise is growing. Higher education institutions can play a crucial role in ensuring that the experts of tomorrow graduate with the skills to protect our society, economy, national security and critical infrastructures.
De Montfort University’s (DMU) world-leading Cyber Technology Institute (CTI) is renowned for its work in computer security, and its outputs play an influential role in UK government security policy. It is CTI director Eerke Boiten’s ambition to expand the institute’s reach even further – in terms of both supporting local communities and addressing future national cybersecurity goals.
“DMU is a special place in many ways,” he says. “We have a long-standing tradition in security, but also in the social responsibility side of computer science.” Social responsibility is central to Professor Boiten’s research in privacy and to the courses taught at DMU, and he believes this will become an increasingly important focus as artificial intelligence and machine learning programs evolve.
One of the biggest challenges facing society is the threat to smaller organisations that lack the understanding and resources to protect themselves from cyberattacks. “Often they can’t afford to hire cybersecurity specialists, so as a university we also have a role in doing what we can to help,” says Professor Boiten. To this end, DMU has established projects with community groups to upscale local SME training in cybersecurity, as well as engaging with industry to keep on top of societal needs.
Increasing its already wide offering of microcredentials is another priority for the institute. Professor Boiten anticipates that this kind of flexible learning will become even more popular among professionals and organisations looking to upskill employees. “All our MSc cybersecurity modules and some modules in digital forensics can be taught via intensive one-week courses, with flexible options for part-time workers and professionals,” he says.
The CTI team is advertising two new roles, “either of which could be taken up on a professor or associate professor level, which would also allow an existing team of two people to apply”, Professor Boiten explains. Both job descriptions have been written with the institute’s strategic plan firmly in mind. One of the areas Professor Boiten is particularly keen to develop is the institute’s work on digital twins, whereby researchers run large-scale simulations of potential threats alongside real-life events to model possible cybersecurity solutions.
“Manipulative action against machine learning is also an area in need of exploring. Given that we have strong teams in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence on board at DMU, it’s another area we should be leading in,” he says.
Applicants to CTI will be expected to contribute some specialist knowledge to the department’s MSc programmes – which are accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre – balancing research, leadership and teaching at specialist level. “We’ve got a large, supportive team of about 30 academics, so there’s a lot that can be achieved already,” says Professor Boiten. “Bringing in new strategic leadership would help pull us into that next phase of achievement.”
Find out more about the CTI at DMU.