Lancaster University’s Security and Protection Science Initiative, welcomes the latest major announcement from the National Cyber Force.

The publication of the NCF: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice marks an important milestone in Britain’s positioning as a major responsible cyber power. The document sets out the UK’s priorities for defending critical national infrastructure in the context of evolving cyber threats and delivers on commitments to be as transparent as possible about the National Cyber Forces’ cyber capabilities.

Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield, welcomed the news: “The North West is home to a strong cyber ecosystem, reflecting the necessary diversity of talents needed for Britain’s role as a responsible cyber power. Lancaster University sits at the heart of that ecosystem with a recent landmark investment of £19 million creating an unparalleled concentration of expertise in cybersecurity and online safety.”

In 2021 it was announced that the National Cyber Force would have its headquarters in Lancashire, recognising the strength of expertise in the region, as well as bringing an estimated £5 billion economic boost.

Commenting on the publication of the NCF document:, Daniel Prince, Professor of Cyber Security at Lancaster University said: “Cyber security is often characterised by secrecy, necessary to ensure operational security. In publishing this document and disclosing more information about their daily operations, the National Cyber Force has provided a window into their operations which should give us confidence in the UK’s ability to protect the citizens, including those most at risk from online harm, and businesses in the UK.”

In an announcement to the media, GCHQ Director Sir Jeremy Fleming said: “In an increasingly volatile and interconnected world, to be a truly responsible cyber power, nations must be able to contest and compete with adversaries in cyberspace. In the UK, the National Cyber Force complements the UK’s world class cyber resilience to give the country operational cyber capabilities at the scale needed to protect our free, open, and peaceful society.”

Lancaster University is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre for education and research in cyber and is one of an elite group of universities - and the only one in the North West of England - to be triple accredited for excellence in cyber education and research across the board. This includes NCSC recognition as a Gold Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education, having an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research and having our Cyber Security Master’s programme certified.

We have unique strengths in safe, secure, and resilient digital and cyber systems ranging from forensic and network security to interdisciplinary research at the social and technical interface. We also assist businesses to defend, innovate and grow. Lancaster is the lead institution in CREST - the multi-million ESRC-funded UK hub for behavioural and social science research into security threats.