Lancaster University cyber team lends support to nuclear decommissioning body

Lancaster University’s cyber team has joined with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to help support and protect its 300-year mission, while enhancing its own capabilities in the process.

Key players in nuclear decommissioning and cyber security have signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) with Lancaster University. Working alongside cyber services consultancy Templar Executives – which already supports many of the university’s other cyber-related projects such as its recently launched cyber MBA course – the university will align with the NDA on a number of key work areas with implications for the future security, growth and economic wellbeing of the UK.

Among other things, the MoU will support and expand Lancaster University’s existing capacity and investment in cyber security and protection sciences, and current expansion in both its Computing and Communications School and its School of Engineering. It will also contribute to the university’s expertise in nuclear engineering, including interests in decommissioning, robotics, nuclear fuel cycles and waste management, geological disposal, safety and regulation, environmental forensics, and safeguards and security.

Recent developments at Lancaster University include a £19m initiative which will see the creation of a Data Cyber Quarter at Lancaster University focussing on data and cyber security research, teaching and innovation capabilities along with an unprecedented recruitment drive. This is in addition to a new and innovative part-time Cyber Security Executive MBA, in partnership with Templar Executives, to support business leaders in decision-making on Cyber investments for organisational resilience and the mitigation of threats.

Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield said: “Lancaster is committed to working in partnership to develop the research and evidence base which underpins the security of Critical National Infrastructure in the UK. By joining with organisations such as the NDA and Templar Executives we are bringing the full strength of our research and teaching excellence to the table, to foster knowledge exchange at the highest level and ultimately, together, effect operational change.”

A non-departmental public body sitting within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the NDA was established in 2004 having evolved out of the Coal and Nuclear Liabilities Board within what was then the Department for Trade and Industry. Its CEO David Peattie said: “We’re delighted to be furthering our relationship with Lancaster University and Templar Executives in the field of cyber space and cyber security. This MoU demonstrates our commitment to share understanding and expertise, recognising the complementary skills and experience of our organisations relating to cyber and the wider civil nuclear industry. Our work with all academic institutions is hugely important in progressing our mission and helping to create the subject matter experts we will need in the future to clean up our sites.”