IBM and the WMG Cyber Security Centre launch cyber security module

To support businesses, governments and society deal with the ever increasing cost of cyber security breaches, the University of Warwick recently launched a Cyber Security Centre. The arm has partnered with IBM to deliver a module aimed at developing the technical and managerial skills to effectively design and implement strategies to mitigate and prevent today's and tomorrow’s cyber intrusions.

The rise of highly connected digital technologies that carry a range of valuable, sensitive and/or private information, comes with associated risks – much of the infrastructure and software used to store and carry the information, is potentially insecure. As often is the case, commercial value lures criminal activity, and today cyber-criminal activity is estimated by McAfee to generate $400 billion in annual losses to the world economy, with little outlook of costs growth slowing in the near term.

To counter the threat, cybercrime is increasingly on the radar of companies, governments and individuals. One of the main investment area is adding more talent, although the market is faced with scarcity. This year there were more than a million unfilled cyber security positions worldwide – this is expected to increase to 1.5 million by 2020, creating a quagmire for companies seeking to defend their boarders through a cost-post position, while in a tough market for talent.

University of Warwick’s Cyber Security Centre

In a bid to develop tools and techniques to reduce the risks for governments, businesses and society bearing the brunt of attacks, the University of Warwick’s Cyber Security Centre (CSC) was formed. The centre performs research into developing the cyber defences of tomorrow for stakeholders as well as providing education programmes in cyber security and related disciplines.

The CSC and IBM recently announced that they will work together to develop a master’s level module for cybersecurity related to defending businesses from intrusion, focused particularly on the perspective of an organisation's Chief Information Security Officer. The new module, which has been part of the MSc in Security and Management since May, is aimed at developing people who are looking to take up “a leading technical or managerial role in an organisation critically dependent upon data and information communication technology.” Additionally, the module is open to professionals seeking to bolster their skills in the area of cyber security alongside their work.

Tim Watson, Director of the WMG Cyber Security Centre, says, "Our approach to cyber security education is a multi-disciplinary one, combining academics, government and industry experts who bring together both the technical and behavioural aspects needed for transformative cyber security. We are delighted to be working with IBM to deliver this particular module, looking at cyber security from a complete organisational perspective.”

One of the developers of the new model is Mark Buckwell, Consulting and Systems Integration Practice Leader at IBM UK and Ireland. He adds, “The Enterprise Cyber Security module was created to give students the opportunity to engage in architectural thinking in the design of enterprise IT security. By understanding how security is designed into core business practice, participants now have a vital kit bag of practical tools and techniques to apply in the workplace.”

Earlier this month PwC Ireland also launched a Cyber Centre, based in Dublin.