Posted: 11th November 2024

A new network led by Professor Andrew Martin aims to protect cyber security in the UK and beyond, realise the benefits of emerging technologies and better prepare society against future cyber threats. 

The Cyber Security Research and Networking Environment (CRANE) NetworkPlus is supported by a £6 million investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). 

Andrew Martin, Professor of Systems Security, will lead CRANE, which aims to strengthen and unite research efforts across disciplines and institutions. NetworkPlus projects are intended to address tomorrow’s engineering research challenges by fostering new research capabilities.  
 
Launching in early 2025, the CRANE initiative will be co-led by Professors Lynne Coventry from Abertay University, Adam Joinson from the University of Bath, Steven Murdoch from University College London, and Mark Ryan from the University of Birmingham. The network will help to deliver the UK Cyber Ecosystem pillar of the government’s UK National Cyber Strategy by improving the structures, partnerships and networks necessary to support a whole-of-society approach to cyber, whilst also supporting pillar 3, Technology Advantage. 

There is a pressing need for improvements in cyber security across a broad spectrum of social and technical research. We want to help the community to identify areas where research can bring the most benefit and encourage its development right across the UK and beyond. Professor Andrew Martin

CRANE will have the following core objectives:

• Support the UK National Cyber Strategy 
  CRANE’s work is aligned with the UK’s National Cyber Strategy, and by building a robust cyber ecosystem and maintaining a competitive technological advantage, CRANE aims to boost the UK’s resilience against cyber threats nationally and internationally. 

• Build and nurture a research-driven ecosystem 
  CRANE will advance research across disciplines, including computer science, psychology, social sciences, law, and economics. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, CRANE will work to create a transformative research environment where academics, industry leaders, and policymakers can share insights and address emerging challenges. 

• Identify game-changing opportunities 
  CRANE will identify breakthrough opportunities, and through a structured horizon-scanning process will seek to capitalise on these opportunities by anticipating research needs and opportunities. This will allow researchers to stay ahead of trends and adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

• Facilitate the development of a learned society 
  CRANE plans to establish a learned society dedicated to cyber security research. Led by Professor Shujun Li, University of Kent, the society will aim to create a sustainable, long-term community of cyber security researchers, providing continuity and coherence to the UK’s cyber security expertise. 

• Foster an inclusive community 
  CRANE is committed to building an inclusive and diverse community of professionals and researchers. Through a combination of online and in-person regional events, CRANE will provide opportunities for collaboration while making participation accessible to researchers across the UK, minimising the need for travel. 

CRANE will be a collaborative hub – a ‘one-stop shop’ for engagement between the research community and other sectors, including government, industry, and non-profit organisations. This integrative approach will facilitate international collaboration and encourage the UK’s cyber security ecosystem to connect with global peers, strengthening its position on the international stage.

Since taking office we’ve made shoring up our cyber defences a national priority. To make sure they’re stronger than ever, we’ll be bringing in new laws next year as we continue to take steps to ensure our online economy and critical services are safe, resilient and secure. This network will bolster those efforts, building up a better picture of where our strengths lie and where the gaps we need to plug are, all while supporting our expert cyber security workforce to drive forward their careers and become the UK’s cyber leaders of tomorrow. Feryal Clark, Minister for Cyber Security

The EPSRC £6 million funding includes a £2 million allocation for competitive grants supporting ground-breaking research. Awards from the fund will be given based on proposals submitted in response to calls issued through CRANE identified through the horizon-scanning process and from collaboration activities. This funding will be crucial in supporting early-stage research projects that have the potential to drive significant advances in cyber security.  

How to get involved 

Full details of how to be involved will be released in early 2025. In the meantime, prospective participants can contact CRANE via email for more information on involvement opportunities: enquiries@cybersecurity.ox.ac.uk 

EPSRC announcement: https://www.ukri.org/news/cybersecurity-network-to-make-the-uk-safer-and-more-resilient/