The government is hoping to shore up its defences against cybercrime through post-graduate training,and has asked universities to apply for funding to run training courses for post-graduates.
Through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC),universities have been invited to apply for grants to run two new dedicated Centres for Doctoral Training.
This is in response to the UK Government's National Cyber Security Programme,an initiative to"create a stable,secure and open cyber environment in which the UK's interests and businesses can operate and be preserved,"according to the government.
The invitation is made jointly by the Department for Business,Innovation and Skills(BIS),EPSRC,GCHQ and the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance(OCSIA).
"If the UK is to achieve its growth ambitions and maintain its reputation for world-class capability in cybersecurity,it is vital that we look to discover,develop and nurture the UK's next generation of doctoral-level cybersecurity experts,"said David Willetts,minister for universities and skills."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."
In April,the first batch UK universities were awarded"Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research"status.The scheme to recognise Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research is the first in a number of initiatives outlined in the government's National Cyber Security Strategy–Protecting and promoting the UK in a digital world.
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said academia has an important role in fostering future cybersecurity talent.
"We have committed significant investment to deliver the first two Centres for Doctoral Training in cybersecurity.We believe these centres will make an important contribution to further enhancing our world-class cybersecurity academic and research community here in the UK,"he said.
