NW CyberCom

THE OPPORTUNITY

• You’ll partner with entrepreneurs and businesses to develop ideas 
• You’ll create new solutions to cyber challenges affecting society and the fabric of the economy 
• You’ll harness academic research and expertise to create a competitive advantage for the North West, resulting in growth and the creation of local startups and spinouts  
• You’ll help the North West capitalise on existing strengths and sectors where it’s already thriving to be a UK leader in cyber and emerging technologies 
• You’ll develop a Proof of Concept with £25,000 in funding and support  

THE CHALLENGES

Ethical AI & Quantum for cyber security  

Emerging technology areas, such as AI and quantum, are impacting the future of cyber security and enabling new approaches for industry to process, secure and analyse data. This can create greater efficiencies and reduce burden on employees.

However, technologies such as AI and quantum also present a new cyber security threat: the ability to generate convincing information and data, which may not be accurate or validated, as well as a new threat to established security protocols. Industry will need to leverage cutting-edge research to employ novel solutions to mitigate these risks. 

We’re looking for ideas utilising research which innovatively address either (or both) of the following key questions:   

(1) How can you use ethical AI to automate decision making reducing ‘cognitive load’ in a cyber secure way? 

(2) How can you use AI or quantum to ensure data authenticity and/or assure confidential data sharing?   

Your idea can leverage any approach using AI, or quantum, or both to address these key cyber security challenges industry is facing.

You may want to consider different AI models, or the ethics and bias of utilising AI. You may have specific target sectors in mind as early adopters for your potential solution – but this isn’t necessary. We’re welcoming ideas which could be applied to critical national infrastructure use cases. 

ACADEMIC PROJECTS

Fortifying Cyber Security with Quantum Ring Single-Photon LEDs: Gizem Acar (Physics), Lancaster University

Gizem aims to help data centres and the telecoms and defence sectors prepare for the post-quantum era by developing Quantum Ring Single-Photon LEDs. She’s exploring partnerships with experts in Spain and the UK for device characterisation and structural analysis.

Shielding Cyber Networks from Solar Storms with AI Prediction: Robert Walsh (Physics),  UCLan

Robert is exploring the development of a real-time, AI-based tool for predicting solar flares and their terrestrial impacts, which will enhance cyber security resilience against extreme space weather events. The project’s advancements in predictive accuracy and real-time data processing will be vital for industries that rely on secure, uninterrupted communications.

Securing Robotic Decommissioning of Nuclear Subs for Cyber Resilience: Mario Gianni (Computer Science), University of Liverpool

Mario is looking to develop non-destructive technology for decommissioning former Royal Navy nuclear submarines, focusing on improving cyber security in robotic inspection systems. He wants to set a precedent for secure, efficient decommissioning processes that can be used in national security and industrial settings.

Strengthening Cyber Defences with AI-verified Secure Code: Yiannis Charalambous (Computer Science), The University of Manchester

Securing code and the software supply chain are some of the industry’s biggest challenges. Yiannis’ proposed solution addresses the challenge of finding and repairing software vulnerabilities by integrating large language models (LLMs) and formal verification techniques to secure the code. The automation he is looking to develop will enable continuous, efficient and reliable security updates.

Safeguarding Manufacturing with AI-based Anomaly Detection: Tarek Gaber (Engineering and Environment), University of Salford

The manufacturing sector is increasingly being targeted by bad actors and remains under-defended. Tarek is focusing on anomaly detection for manufacturers, particularly for food packaging companies that are integrating digital and AI technology. New technologies come with benefits, but they also expose them to new vulnerabilities, such as cyber extortion attacks. Tarek’s solution aims to improve operational efficiency and reduce costly downtime while safeguarding AI models, algorithms, and data – and avoiding supply chain disruptions.

Ensemble: Empowering Cyber Defence with AI-driven OSINT Analysis: Kyle S. Cunliffe (Arts, Media, and Creative Technologies), University of Salford

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) is often fragmented and prone to disinformation, making analysis error-prone and labour-intensive. Kyle’s project aims to combine AI and machine learning with Structured Analytic Techniques (SATS) to improve the accuracy of analytical conclusions by weighing evidence credibility and generating alternative hypotheses. He’s looking to develop a prototype while incorporating extensive user feedback and market research.

Enhancing Cyber Readiness with AI and Quantum Integration: Carl Nightingale, Manchester Metropolitan University

Carl is addressing the critical need for efficient data processing and analysis within the UK defence landscape. Focused on the Joint Electronic Warfare Centre (JEWOSC) at RAF Waddington, he’s exploring how to use AI and quantum-based technologies to streamline the production of mission data for frontline operations.