UK government launches £6.5m cyber security research project

Two UK government departments have today launched a cyber security research project after 18 companies pledged to invest £6.5m over five years.
The project called CyberInvest will provide a forum for academics and private sector researchers, as well as civil servants from the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) – one of the three UK intelligence and security agencies – and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to carry out research into protecting the UK in cyber space.
Companies of all sizes are encouraged to join the CyberInvest partnership. Minimum investment levels range from £10,000 for micro companies of up to ten people to £500,000 for companies of up to 250 people.
Speaking at the launch of CyberInvest today, Ed Vaizey MP, minister for culture and the digital economy, said: “CyberInvest is an exciting initiative which brings industry, government and academia together, and builds on the UK’s reputation as a global leader for cyber security research.
“Over the last four years we have invested over £20 million in UK cyber security research, and the new CyberInvest scheme will play an important role in our ongoing work to help protect UK citizens and businesses online.”
The project was launched as part of IA15 – the government’s cyber security and information assurance flagship event. It is delivered by GCHQ to an audience drawn from central government, the wider public sector, industry and academia.
For more information about joining CyberInvest, or to register your interest, email [email protected]