North West Universities have partnered for a new £4.9m CyberFocus project to “turbocharge” the region’s cyber goals.
The 7 universities of Lancaster, Manchester, Salford, Central Lancashire, Cumbria, Manchester Metropolitan and Liverpool will be supported by Team Barrow (Westmorland & Furness Council, and BAE Systems), Enterprising Cumbria, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool City Regional Combined Authority and Lancashire County Council.
They are aiming to deliver both societal and economic benefits for the region by acting as a catalyst for cyber knowledge exchange so that research ideas and innovations are transformed into solutions, products and services.
The project aims to:
– create 85 new collaborative partnerships
– develop 400 new products, processes, or services
– secure £40m additional funding for the region
– train 300 individuals in cyber innovation skills
“CyberFocus is a transformative initiative that aims to position the North West as a national leader in cyber security. This project will connect and empower regional expertise, from universities and industry to civic partners, to address the complex and evolving challenges in the cyber domain,” explained Daniel Prince, Professor of Cyber Security at Lancaster University and Principal Investigator of CyberFocus.
“With the arrival of GCHQ in Manchester and the National Cyber Force in Lancashire, the North West has a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive forward national cyber resilience. CyberFocus will leverage this momentum, combining cutting-edge research with real-world applications that can secure critical sectors such as health, social care, nuclear, and digital manufacturing.
“By fostering trusted partnerships and supporting innovation across sectors, CyberFocus will not only create new jobs and increase economic value but will also strengthen the UK’s overall cyber capabilities. Our work will help position the North West as a key player in addressing today’s cyber threats, with lasting benefits for communities and businesses across the region and beyond.”
