DMU cyber security experts to play out dramatic digital attack at international showcase


A dramatic scenario where digital terrorists attempt to attack a city’s critical infrastructure is to be played out by De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) cyber security experts at the GREAT festival of innovation in Hong Kong.

In front of an audience DMU students and alumni will demonstrate a potential attack on a hydro- power generation facility and show what can be done to defend against such threats.

cyber security

The demonstration is, of course, for show at the international event, but the threat is a very real one, showing how important DMU cyber security courses are for world security.

DMU’s cyber security course is GCHQ provisionally certified and has vital connections with industry such as Deloitte UK, Airbus, BT and Rolls-Royce.

Cyber Security is one of four key areas of inventive study at DMU which will be presented to visitors at the GREAT festival, which runs from 21-24 March and is organised by the UK’s Department for International Trade.

The festival will focus on how creativity, technology and innovation will change the way we work, live, learn and play in the years to come.

DMU is the sole education partner for the British Government’s GREAT campaign, and will be part of a packed programme that includes keynote speakers, panel discussions and masterclasses looking at how businesses can make the most of new technologies and markets while ensuring they promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.

Professor Helge Janicke, who leads DMU’s Cyber Technology Institute, said: “For us to go to the Festival of Innovation is really exciting. We are the academic partner and it is a brilliant opportunity to showcase all the innovation we have in the area of cyber security.

“Cyber security is important for any innovation in the future. If you think about home automation, smart cities and the internet, cyber security is a vital enabler to make these systems operate safely and securely for everyone – especially when they relate to critical infrastructures.

“In a world that is shifting to digitisation as quickly as ours, cyber security is more and more important because physical artefacts like notebooks and cash can be lost or stolen but not on a  scale or with the ease that is possible with digital assets.

“As this trend continues and everyone is owning more than two or three digital devices that carry personal data, it is more and more important that we take proper care of these data and we have technology in place that can help us manage and protect it.”

DMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard will give a showcase speech to the festival audience on Wednesday 21 March, outlining #DMUglobal and #DMUworks as the modern, innovative ways DMU is offering students international learning experiences and creative, flexible opportunities to gain practical, vital work experience. He will also hold a Q&A with DMU students.

At the same time 350 second-year students from across all four faculties will be taking part in a #DMUglobal trip to help deepen their subject knowledge and experience new cultures in Hong Kong. It will also include a visit to the GREAT festival.

As the official education partner of GREAT, DMU is showcasing the innovations of students and graduates in the fields of fashion, Architecture, Game Art and cyber security. Top UK figures speaking at the festival include chef Tom Kerridge, lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman, former GCHQ director Robert Hannigan and Blippar CEO Ambarish Mitra.
Posted on Monday 19 March 2018

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