Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research - University of Bristol

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Computer Science

Abstract

The current proposal is submitted in response to an invitation by EPSRC wrt. the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) scheme. It complements a concrete proposal for the University of Bristol (UoB) to be recognised as an ACE-CSR. The long term goal is to coordinate existing world-class research (including, for example, cryptography and quantum key distribution, digital forensics and computer virus/malware analysis) under a UoB-wide research centre termed the Bristol Security Centre (BSC); the BSC will, for example, capitalise on internal research synergies, deliver training cyber security, and foster strategic links between research groups and various
external stakeholders (including but not limited to CESG, EPSRC, other ACE-CSRs, and industrial partners).

In short, the proposal outlines various activities that require modest funding (by EPSRC) for said ACE-CSR to fully engage with the scheme and meet the goals outlined above (and expanded upon the case for support).

Planned Impact

The current proposal is submitted in response to an invitation by EPSRC wrt. the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) scheme. It complements a concrete proposal for the University of Bristol (UoB) to be recognised as an ACE-CSR, and as such the impact is intrinsically related to BSC existence and goals thereafter. More generally, the BSC will deliver impact along that outlined by the EPSRC guidelines; in particular, institutes awarded this recognition will (in EPSRC's own words)

- Assist government and business to interact more effectively with the university sector both to gain insight into leading-edge university Cyber Security research and to help exploit it for the benefit of the UK.
- Provide researchers at ACEs-CSR with better understanding of the range of Cyber Security problems faced by government and business.
- Shape future Cyber Security research requirements and provide a stimulus to enhance the quality and breadth of UK academic Cyber Security research.

Apart from our engagement with stakeholders (e.g., EPSRC, GCHQ) and the other ACE-CSRs, we also aim to enhance impact via industrial engagement events (expanded upon the case for support). In addition, the publicity and dissemination material we aim to produce will create greater visibility to and engagement with wider stakeholders, and help to spread research output generated to the wider cyber security community within the UK.

Publications

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