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Cyber Security Research and Networking Environment (CRANE) network supported by a £6 million UKRI investment
A new network co-led by the Director of Abertay cyberQuarter aims to strengthen cybersecurity, realise the benefits of emerging technologies and better prepare society against future cyber threats.
The Cyber Security Research and Networking Environment (CRANE) NetworkPlus, led by the University of Oxford, is supported by a £6 million investment from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
A team of academics from across the UK will co-lead CRANE, including Professor Lynne Coventry, Director of Abertay cyberQuarter, Abertay University’s centre for research, innovation and economic growth for the cybersecurity industry.
The initiative aims to boost cybersecurity across the economy, including sectors from manufacturing and healthcare through to law enforcement, and will make businesses, charities, communities and people more resilient against cyber threats.
It will provide leadership in spotting emerging global trends and national strengths in cybersecurity, including understanding the potential of game-changing technologies from artificial intelligence to quantum computing.
Working with Professor Coventry will be lead researcher Andrew Martin, Professor of Systems Security at the University of Oxford, in addition to Adam Joinson from the University of Bath, Steven Murdoch from University College London, and Mark Ryan from the University of Birmingham.
CRANE projects are intended to address tomorrow’s engineering research challenges by fostering new research capabilities.
Launching in early 2025, 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.
Professor Lynne Coventry said:
CRANE will provide a supportive, inclusive and multi-disciplinary network for researchers to develop their skills across both face to face and online situations. Being able to effectively network is vital for researchers' careers and affords the opportunity to nurture relationships from which authentic collaborations can form, discuss ongoing research and identify opportunities.
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
