Government calls on academia to train tomorrow's cyber security experts

Universities are being invited by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), via a call document on its website, to apply for grants to run two new dedicated Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), that will train postgraduates to maintain the UK's security in the face of growing cyber threats.

The call for bids is part of a joint approach to the National Cyber Security programme between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), EPSRC, GCHQ and the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA).

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Skills said: "If the UK is to achieve its growth ambitions and maintain its reputation for world class capability in cyber security, it is vital that we look to discover, develop and nurture the UK's next generation of doctoral-level cyber security experts. The Centres for Doctoral Training are a key component of achieving the skills blend the UK needs and I would like to encourage novel responses to the call that reflect well on the innovation of the discipline as a whole".

Minister for Cyber Security Francis Maude said:

"In the National Cyber Security Strategy, the Government emphasised the importance of expanding the UK's cyber skills base to take advantage of the opportunities cyber space presents and protect our interests where required. Academia has a vital role to play in fostering our future cyber security talent, and we have therefore committed significant investment to deliver the first two Centres of Doctoral Training in Cyber Security. We believe these centres will make an important contribution to further enhancing our world-class cyber security academic and research community here in the UK."

The CDTs will be expected to graduate at least eight students from each of three successive annual cohorts, the first expected to start around October/November 2013.

Funding for the CDTs could reach £8 million over seven years and will come from a variety of sources, including the National Cyber Security Programme. EPSRC will oversee the management of the Centres.

Earlier this year GCHQ, in partnership with the Research Councils' Global Uncertainties Programme (RCUK) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), awarded "Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research" status to eight UK universities conducting world class research in the field of cyber security.