The SICSA Directors would like to invite suitable candidates from any SICSA institution to submit an application for the role of Director for Knowledge Exchange and Impact / SICSA Deputy Director.

SICSA has a strong Knowledge Exchange programme, aiming to exploit and enhance the research capabilities and reputation of Scottish Universities, by assisting researchers at all levels in making a greater economic and social impact. The SICSA KE activities are coordinated by the SICSA Director for Knowledge Exchange and Impact / SICSA Deputy Director, with support from the SICSA Executive.

The SICSA Director for Knowledge Exchange and Impact / SICSA Deputy Director role is part-time, taking approximately 20% of the working week.

Applications are sought from suitable candidates working at any SICSA institution.

The Closing Date for applications is 1st February 2019. 

For more details and to apply, please visit Vacancies.

Edinburgh Napier University’s BEng (Hons) in Cybersecurity and Forensics has become the first undergraduate course in the UK to be fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), whose parent organisation is GCHQ.

The BEng course helps meet the UK’s growing demand for security engineers by adding specialist knowledge of digital forensics, data security and software development to undergraduates’ general computing skills and network knowledge.

You can read the full story at Edinburgh Napier University news.

The Tay Cities Deal was formally signed on Thursday 22nd November in Perth, confirming millions of Pounds of investment to the area.  It is expected that the Deal will create over 6000 jobs across Tayside and Fife.

The deal will include direct benefits for SICSA-member institutions, including an investment of over £26m to the University of St Andrews for transformative infrastructure works at the Eden Campus project at Guardbridge.

There will also be a significant investment into Strengthening Cyber Resilience and Developing Digital Forensics, including:

• £6 million from the Scottish Government and £5.7 million from the UK Government for the development of the Cyber Security Centre of Excellence.
• The “Cyber Quarter” would be a cluster of academic-commercial activity, providing a co-location space for academia and industry, expertise in applied research and access to a range of public sector support located within the Tay Cities region.  The project will capitalise on the existing expertise of Abertay University in ethical hacking.
• £15 million from the UK Government to establish the country’s first Forensic Science Research Centre. Aims to “drive industrial partnership, invest in an Innovation Cluster Development alongside the University of Abertay’s Cyber Quarter working with SMEs and start-ups to exploit new intellectual property and to enter new markets facilitated by the Forensic Science Catapult Centre and build a world-leading vibrant culture of Innovation, Communication and Economy at the University of Dundee.

You can read more about the Tay Cities Deal at The Courier.

A new action plan will encourage the growth of innovative Scottish cyber security research to deliver world-leading cyber security goods and services.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise will work with key partners to ensure Scotland fully exploits the economic growth opportunities of the increasing demand for cyber security goods.

Scottish Enterprise will receive just over £1 million to drive growth in the cyber security industry, including £370,000 for the creation of a cluster management organisation, £500,000 for a Cyber Essentials voucher scheme for small and medium-sized third and private sector organisations and £250,000 to stimulate cyber-specific innovation.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, Derek Mackay said:

“The Cyber Resilience Economic Opportunity Action Plan sets out the key practical steps the Scottish Government and key partners will take collectively to support the growth of Scotland’s cyber security firms. It aims to encourage the development of innovative cyber security research and deliver world-leading cyber security goods and services.

“As the cyber threat increases, demand for cyber security goods and service increases. There is an opportunity for Scotland’s cyber security businesses to reap the benefits of this growing demand.”

David Smith, Director of Technology, Engineering and Construction at Scottish Enterprise, said:

“I’m delighted that through this plan we’re recognising the contribution that cyber security can make to our digital economy, and I’m looking forward to working with our partners to support the growth of the cyber security cluster in Scotland.”