Funds on offer to back Scottish cyber security projects

Two of Scotland's publicly backed innovation centres have issued a joint call for projects to help tackle cyber security issues.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Nov 2016, 12:23 BST
Updated 21st Nov 2016, 13:26 BST

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Cyber attacks are considered a 'tier one' threat to national security. Picture: ContributedCyber attacks are considered a 'tier one' threat to national security. Picture: Contributed
Cyber attacks are considered a 'tier one' threat to national security. Picture: Contributed

The Data Lab and Censis – the innovation centre for sensor and imaging systems – will offer financial and other support to projects involving digital technologies, software development and data science.

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To qualify for backing, the initiatives must involve a collaboration between industry, public sector or an academic partner, with the aim of delivering a “clear economic and social benefit to Scotland”. Applications close on 1 February.

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Gillian Docherty, chief executive of the Data Lab, said: “Advancements in data science, digital industries and the growth of the ‘internet of things’ have all heralded a technological revolution but we must remember that with these incredible advancements comes increased possibility of cyber threats.

“In order to tackle what is a highly sophisticated threat to Scotland and beyond, we must invest in highly sophisticated technologies. To do this, we must continue to challenge, invest and support cutting edge ideas and projects to help identify these threats before they even happen.”

Cyber attacks are considered a “tier one” threat to national security and innovation centres aim to support projects involving intrusion detection and using data science to monitor networks, as well as technologies that can be applied to public and private sector businesses.

Martin Beaton, cyber security network integrator at the Scottish Informatics & Computer Science Alliance, said: “The information security industry is estimated to grow by £70 billion in the next three years worldwide, yet due to the rate of evolution of the arms race between attackers and defenders, many of the technologies for that market are yet to be invented.

“Scotland needs to innovate to take advantage of this massive market and data science will underpin many of the new products which is why it is fantastic that the Data Lab and Censis are running this call bringing together fundamental science and industry.”

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