City ports and cyber-security
Plymouth University has set up a cyber-security centre of international relevance with research into risk profiling and mitigation for maritime industries. Academics at the University are developing a business model that can be rolled out nationally in the UK and then beyond.
Cyber attacks, Professor Kevin Jones, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, warns, can come from anywhere in the world and 'with the majority of UK trade entering via our ports, we remain vulnerable with attacks potentially closing down a major port with billions of pounds being lost in a day. This research taking place at the University will be critical for our national infrastructure.'
Professor Jones will be speaking at our Future Cities Forum on 9th October in London.
Traditionally research has looked at threats to our city air, roads and rail infrastructure, with ships considered as 'safe islands', but now there is growing awareness that with sophisticated navigation equipment and other communications systems on board, they can be vulnerable targets. Oil and gas plants out at sea could also be in danger and there's concern that we should safeguard our oceans and related industries, putting forward plans to mitigate risk.
Plymouth has exceptional academics working in areas from maritime science through to engineering and logistics to draw up these risk plans for both companies and city authorities.
Another aim for the Centre is to encourage those young technically minded IT brains who perhaps have been attracted to working for the 'dark web' to take a new path in working on a legal footing at the University which can provide them with a better future.
The City of Plymouth has a strong maritime presence wth the largest naval dockyard in Europe and with high-end elements of the British fleet being serviced there. The City is second only to Birmingham in terms of manufacturing capability.