Our Cyber Security Interdisciplinary Centre draws on the best academic expertise from all faculties across the University of Bradford to analyse, detect and reduce threats to an organisation or individual’s private information using technical and social engineering techniques.

Cyber Security is an increasing threat to business' globally, with the government committing to a total of £1.9 billion over the next five years to significantly transform cyber security in the UK.

We work to create unique partnerships between researchers, business' and students across the faculties to facilitate a collaborative and innovative approach to cyber security solutions.

Research expertise

Our research fits into three main themes:

• social engineering
• information security
• online radicalisation

Research in these themes spans the University with contributions in cryptography, ethical hacking, forensic analysis, network security, operations and technology management, national and international security, and digital healthcare. This combination of expertise is unique to Bradford. It offers the potential to design novel business solutions (link), develop unique research grant proposals, and provide a wide-ranging set of opportunities for postgraduate study (link).

Within these themes we are working hard to address some of the worlds cyber security challenges including data breaches, online grooming for sexual exploitation or radicalisation, and cyberbullying; all commonplace in today's digital world. The problem is huge and continuing to grow with ransomware threats rising by 300% in 2015. Cyber attacks have affected 85% of organisations, one in three children have been a victim of cyberbullying, and in an average week the CTIRU are removing 1,000 pieces of terrorism content.

We thrive on working with businesses and academics from outside the Centre. When we work with businesses our academics and students really benefit. What we learn from industry enriches and informs further research and changes the way we teach. Teaching informed by industry insight gives our students a more relevant experience and they are better equipped to find work when they graduate. When we work with academics outside our Centre, particularly those outside the University, we open up opportunities to expand our knowledge and create new solutions to cyber security problems.

Read about our latest research projects >>

Study cyber security

There are a number of opportunities to study in Cyber Security including a BSc Computer Science in Cyber Security, a Cyber Security MSc, and modules in big data and cyber security that student can choose to take as part of the computing degrees. Our MSc in Cyber Security is delivered to ISO27001 and includes the option to receive the ISO certificate as part of your study, which is very attractive to employers.

Our ISO 27001 Lead Auditor Training is Certified by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB).

Penetration Testing Lab

In 2017, the Cyber Security Interdisciplinary Centre developed its new Penetration Testing Lab.

The lab has 15 machines set up with the Kali Linux operating system designed to support penetration testing research and development.

The operating system is set up with all sorts of vulnerabilities and programmes for students to hack into and is run off its own server, so students can use it without damaging other systems.

The system was chosen following discussions with industry to ensure it's relevant to real-world situations.

This facility is used for the MSc in Cyber Security elective module ‘the Ethical Hacking in Data and Cyber Security’.

The lab is also used by industry to test their ability to protect themselves from hackers.