Lancaster University has retained its Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE) Gold award from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), reaffirming its position as a national leader in cyber security education.

Introduced in 2020 by the NCSC and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the ACE-CSE Gold award recognises institutions that deliver outstanding cyber security education and help shape the field through collaboration with industry, government, and the wider community.

At Lancaster, cyber security education is delivered through a multi-disciplinary approach, combining expertise in computing, data science, behavioural research, and policy. This equips students with strong technical skills alongside an understanding of the human and organisational factors that underpin cyber resilience.

The award was formally received on behalf of the university by Professor Simon Cook, Professor in Practice - Data and Cyber Research, Enterprise and Engagement at Lancaster University. Simon said:“It was a great honour for me to be able to accept this award on behalf of the Lancaster ACE-CSE team who put in so much hard work to make this possible. The ACE-CSE Gold award is one of the highest accolades from the National Cyber Security Centre and is a fitting tribute to the sustained effort the university has put into maintaining excellence in cyber security teaching.”

The retention of the Gold award adds to Lancaster’s cyber security credentials which includes recognition by the NCSC of Lancaster as an Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research, and the institution’s NCSC certified Master’s degree in Cyber Security.

Lancaster University has made a major £19 million investment in its Security and Protection Science initiative to enhance its research, innovation, and education capabilities in cyber security. The investment includes the state-of-the-art Data Cyber Quarter, and the recruitment of new academic and industry experts to reinforce Lancaster’s position as a national leader in cyber security and protection science.

More information about cyber security at Lancaster University can be found by visiting: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/cybersecurity/