Research into the future of online security is being carried out by the University of Liverpool, in partnership with IT giant, Hewlett Packard.
The launch of this project comes just days after the university revealed they had conducted research which involved creating a virus which can infect WiFi networks. The virus could be spread quickly among densely-populated areas in a way which has been likened to how the common cold spreads between humans.
Simon Maskell, Professor of Autonomous Systems in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science, who is leading the project, told JMU Journalism: “The department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics is at the forefront of research in this fast-moving discipline. Having world-leading expertise in the department ensures that research builds on and extends knowledge and capability.”
New technology to be developed by the university over the next three years will draw on psychological studies into how people make decisions in stressful situations. Mathematical models will be used to improve how decisions are made when dealing with IT security problems.
Cyber security costs the UK economy an estimated £10 billion per year and is recognised as a serious challenge to both economic and national security.
Mr Maskell told JMU Journalism: “Ultimately, in the longer term the new technology that the project is looking to develop could help anyone involved in fighting cyber security, but initially this project is working with HP.”
He added: “The University – and the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science – works with a number of large technology companies nationally and internationally to produce research that has a tangible impact on society. HP is a major global player in security and are partnering in this research project as they are specifically interested in improving decision making in operational contexts relevant to cyber security.”
The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Last year it was revealed that, online security whistleblower, Edward Snowden, had studied at the University of Liverpool.