New EPSRC-funded network to bolster UK’s cyber security research ecosystem

A new network led by College Dean, 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).

Kellogg Fellow and College Dean Andrew Martin, a 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.

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.

The program is structured to support grassroots research efforts by helping researchers form special interest groups and working groups focused on specific cyber security research areas, enabling researchers to connect with others working on similar problems to share insights, methods, and breakthroughs. In addition, a horizon-scanning process will guide the development of CRANE’s research agenda, ensuring the initiative remains responsive to current needs and emerging threats.

The EPSRC 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.

“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.

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.