A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Network Security Laboratory of the Japanese National Institute of Communications and Technology (NICT). The agreement indicates that the organisations will collaborate in cyber security research projects to further understanding of digital threats and protection measures.

These collaborations will provide opportunities for staff and student exchanges to work on specific research projects on a wide range of cyber security issues.

Professor Awais Rashid, director of the Security Lancaster research centre at Lancaster University, said: “This agreement demonstrates the commitment for our organisations to collaborate to further understanding on a range of cyber security issues.

“Cyber security is an increasingly critical issue in a globally connected world and we are keen to work alongside other internationally-leading organisations such as NICT to ensure governments, businesses and individuals are able to remain resilient against threats.”

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Monday, February 9, and involved three UK Cyber Security Academic Centres of Excellence - Lancaster University, Imperial College London and Queen’s University Belfast.

The UK Cyber Security Academic Centre of Excellence scheme is jointly accredited by GCHQ, a UK national security and intelligence organisation, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The NICT is the sole Japanese national laboratory dedicated to ICT research – the Network Security Laboratory is highly regarded for its excellence in researching cyber security technology. The partnership between the NICT and the three universities was brokered through earlier engagements arranged by the Science and Innovation Network.

Toshiyuki Minami of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication said: “With the growing degree of threats in cyberspace, now is the time to enhance cooperation together with industry, academia, government and also internationally.”

British Ambassador to Japan Tim Hitchens said: “Japan and the UK share values toward the governance of cyberspace. I look forward to seeing the partnership for cyber security become even stronger, including the cooperation in research and development.”

More information about Security Lancaster is available by visiting http://www.security-centre.lancs.ac.uk/