The Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACEs-CSR) scheme is sponsored by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and UK Research and Innovation.
It is one of several initiatives outlined in the UK government’s National Cyber Security Strategy ‘Protecting and promoting the UK in a digital world’. The strategy describes how the government is working with academia and industry to make the UK more resilient to cyber attacks.
The scheme aims to:
- enhance the quality and scale of academic cybersecurity research and postgraduate training being undertaken in the UK
- make it easier for potential users of research to identify the best cybersecurity research and postgraduate training that the UK has to offer
- help to develop a shared vision and aims among the UK cybersecurity research community, inside and outside academia.
Each ACE-CSR is required to meet tough minimum standards:
- a commitment from the university’s leadership team to support and invest in the university’s cybersecurity research capacity and capability
- a critical mass of academic staff engaged in leading-edge cybersecurity research
- a proven track record of publishing high-impact cybersecurity research in leading academic journals and conferences
- sustained funding from a variety of sources to ensure the continuing financial viability of the research team’s activities.
EPSRC and NCSC have managed five annual funding opportunities to recognise ACEs-CSR. There is no limit on the number of institutions which might receive recognition: it is the intention of the sponsors that all those universities which meet the criteria will be invited to join the scheme. ACEs-CSR are initially recognised up to 30 June 2022.
Nineteen universities are currently recognised:
- De Montfort University – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Cardiff University – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- King’s College London – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Imperial College – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Lancaster University – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Newcastle University – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Queen’s University Belfast – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- Royal Holloway, University of London – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University College London – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Birmingham – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Bristol – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Cambridge – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- The University of Edinburgh – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Kent – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Northumbria – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Oxford – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Southampton – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- University of Surrey – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
- The University of Warwick – Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research
Each ACE-CSR is awarded a grant from EPSRC, giving them access to around £20000 each year to support a range of activities, in particular engagement with research users.
2019 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 5 June 2019 to conduct the sixth round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Dr Natalie Coull, Abertay University
- Peter Davies, Thales
- Professor Chris Hankin, Imperial College London
- Professor Mark Ryan, University of Birmingham (Chair)
- Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
2018 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 3 July 2018 to conduct the fifth round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Professor Debi Ashenden, University of Portsmouth
- Professor Mark Ryan, University of Birmingham (Chair)
- Dr Sandra Scott- Hayward, Queen’s University Belfast
- Martin Sadler, Independent
- Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
2016 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 15-16 February 2017 to conduct the fourth round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Dr Arosha Bandara, Open University
- Dr Natalie Coull, Abertay
- Professor John Clark, York
- Professor Steve Furber, The University of Manchester (Chair)
- Professor Steve Furnell, Plymouth
- Cath Goulding, Nominet
- Sian John, Symantec
- Kevin Jones, Airbus
- Martin Sadler, Independent
- Professor Vesna Brujic-Okretic, Kingston
- Ollie Whitehouse, NCC Group
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
2014 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 16 March 2015 to conduct the third round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Rod Chapman, Altran UK
- Professor Keith Martin, Royal Holloway, University of London
- Professor Mark Ryan, University of Birmingham
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
2012 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 11 February 2013 to conduct the second round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Dr Robert Ghanea-Hercock, BT
- Professor Chris Hankin, Imperial College (Chair)
- Paul King, Cisco Systems
- Professor Keith Martin, Royal Holloway, University of London
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
2011 round assessment
An assessment panel was convened on 12-13 March 2012 to conduct the first round of evaluations. Its membership was:
- Stuart Aston, Microsoft
- Paddy Francis, Cassidian
- Professor Steve Furber, The University of Manchester (Chair)
- Professor Nick Jennings, University of Southampton
- Professor Fred Piper, retired, formerly Royal Holloway, University of London
- Martin Sadler, HP
- representatives of government departments with interests in cybersecurity were also members of the assessment panel.
Last updated: 12 September 2023