CyberFocus project to ‘turbocharge’ North West cyber growth

A ‘transformative’ £4.9 million initiative aims to propel the North West into a leading position in the UK’s cyber security sector, delivering economic growth and societal benefits through innovation and collaboration.

The CyberFocus project, led by Lancaster University and supported by seven regional universities, is part of a £22 million UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme, designed to boost research and innovation clusters nationwide.

The project seeks to strengthen the region’s cyber ecosystem, leveraging its 300-strong cluster of cyber security companies and the presence of GCHQ in Manchester and the National Cyber Force in Lancashire.

By forging partnerships across academia, industry and civic bodies, CyberFocus aims to create 85 collaborative partnerships, develop 400 new products and services, secure £40 million in additional funding, and train 300 individuals in cyber innovation skills. These efforts will support job creation, economic growth and enhanced cyber resilience.

Daniel Prince, professor of cyber security at Lancaster University and principal investigator of CyberFocus, said: “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.

“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."

Spanning the ‘North West Cyber Corridor’ stretching from Lancashire to Manchester and encompassing Cumbria, Merseyside and Cheshire, the programme draws on the expertise of partner universities and organisations, including BAE Systems, Cumbria LEP and regional combined authorities.

Building on Lancaster University’s established leadership in cyber innovation, CyberFocus seeks to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world applications, further cementing the region’s status as a hub for cyber security excellence.

Professor Andy Schofield, vice-chancellor at Lancaster University, added: “By combining the cyber research and teaching strengths, expertise and leadership here at Lancaster University alongside those of all of our partners, CyberFocus will play a leading role in fostering trusted partnerships and supporting cyber innovation across our region’s key sectors.

“CyberFocus will drive the creation of new jobs, increase economic growth and will also enhance the region and nation’s overall cyber resilience.

“Through strong partnership working, the programme will help realise the full impacts of the emerging NW Cyber Corridor, further strengthening our region’s position at the forefront in cyber innovation and addressing today’s cyber threats.”

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance added: “We are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research – from cybersecurity in Lancaster to maritime in Liverpool, offshore wind in Edinburgh to digital healthcare in Belfast – to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills and bring new technologies to market.

“This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”

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