Government commits £10 million to cybersecurity R&D

The government is to provide £10 million in grants for the development of new cybersecurity technologies.

It will provide the sum over four years to universities across the UK to develop solutions that strengthen security of digital devices and services.

Nine grant winners have been revealed as the latest recipients in the government’s Digital Security by Design programme.

The winning research teams that will share the £10 million investment include the University of Southampton’s HD-Sec solution. It aims to speed up the process and reduce errors and security vulnerabilities in software design that could have been exploited by hackers.

The University of Glasgow-led AppControl will also receive a share of the fund. It will leverage state-of-the-art microprocessors, developed earlier in the programme, to make sure vital systems in cars, medical robots or nuclear power plants remain digitally secure.

Meanwhile, the University of Birmingham has been awarded funding for leading the digital solution CAP-TEE. This will use prototype microchips to protect systems that shield sensitive, personal data from hackers.

The government quotes figures from the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2020, which says almost half of businesses (46 percent) and more than a quarter of charities (26 percent) have reported cybersecurity breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. The report estimates the average cost of a cyberattack on a medium or large-sized business has increased to £5,220.

In a statement, digital secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We have a world-class cyber security sector and together we are working hard to make sure the UK is the safest place to work, connect and live online.

“With government support these projects will build cutting-edge, secure technologies that will give people and businesses further confidence in our digital services and help weaken the threat of cyber attackers.”

Science minister Amanda Solloway added: “Cyberattacks can cause significant economic and social damage and leave a lasting mark on affected businesses.

“Today’s funding will allow some of the country’s most innovative businesses and academics to work together on digital solutions to tackle these threats. The UK not only has a proud heritage in computing but is a world leader in digital security and we are committed to ensuring our country remains one of the safest places to do business online.”

The funding forms part of the government’s commitment to increase investment in research and development by 2.4 percent of GDP by 2027.