Queen’s Uni nets £25m funds for cybersecurity research
Kick-start for Northern Ireland
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Queen’s University Belfast has become the envy of cash-starved UK start-ups, to say nothing of specialist e-crime policemen and rival unis, after securing £25m in funding to help it become the UK's leading centre in developing technology to thwart internet attacks.
The new Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) will be based at the Queen’s Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) in the Northern Ireland Science Park, Belfast. The centre will specialise in research in areas including data encryption, network security, wireless security and "intelligent surveillance technology". It is intended to develop technologies for both the home and enterprises.
Other areas of interest include developing processors for detecting and filtering computer viruses and protecting databases from crackers. Outside of information security, the development of high-definition streaming video services is also on the agenda.
"The new Centre at ECIT will develop secure solutions to a number of particularly modern problems including the protection of mobile phone networks, guaranteeing privacy over insecure networks for connected healthcare and the creation of secure 'corridors' for the seamless and rapid transit of people, thus getting around the need for conventional security at airports," explained Professor John McCanny, director of ECIT, said in a statement.
"Although only four years old, ECIT has already achieved many world-class scientific breakthroughs and helped create many new spin-out companies. The new Centre will realise the full potential of emerging technologies, ensuring Queen’s and the UK is the first to develop such cutting-edge research," he added.
Funding for the centre comes from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (£6.95m), the Technology Strategy Board (£2.5m), industry (£7m) and Queen’s University itself (£8.8m).
Ministers hope the centre will pay back many times its funding costs in contributions to the development of the UK IT economy. UK Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, said investment in the centre "will foster an entrepreneurial environment where ground-breaking research can mix at an early stage with business and potential customers". ®
COMMENTS
@ Cat out of bag..
How on earth do you think security solutions are found in the first place??
They're not just going to go "Oh, its insecure, theres the flaws.... Bummer"
Whether social engineering is a risk or not - if you tighten the locks on the first door, it'll always take longer to reach the second.
You have to remember security isn't just about making sure some "hacker" can't compromise your network. The levels and varied factors in security are much more widespread that that initial risk.
You also have to remember, a good security specialist ain't going to give out his ever so precious information over a blonde hussie - I know I certainly wouldn't trust my networks with a ladies man with no concern about data integrity when compromised with money or other treats...Each to their own, but if thats who you're dealing with I suggest you re-consider your current contracts ;)
Positively - it's good to see Queens finally being put on the map, its a damn good Uni, with some incredibly talented students and staff. Its about time they were given an opportunity like this.
Plus, they have the most amazing cafes with the worlds cheapest full Irish breakfasts just round the corner, mmmm ^_^
..Stop, because you need to take a little time to think.
Well you have let the cat out the bag
The campus will be awash with Natashas, and lots of from Russia with love.
Will they be able to secure more efficiently, or will they discover just like everyone else does it is a lot easier to find the flaws and exploit then it ever will be to secure.
Even, and I mean even if you could secure up computer systems, the next port of call is social engineering and hey presto a BJ from a blonde strumpet and I think you will be giving more away than just your private keys.
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