Introduction

Over the past year, Academic Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) has hosted a series of events addressing the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, bridging the gap between cutting-edge academic research and practical industry needs. Below are highlights from two key gatherings: the ACE-CSR Summer Event 2024 and “Trustworthy Systems in Distributed Manufacturing – The Future.”

The ACE-CSR Summer Event 2024 (25–26 July, University of Warwick)

This two-day gathering brought together leading experts from academia and industry to address pressing cybersecurity challenges. Opening the event, Professor Carsten Maple (WMG) emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling evolving cyber threats. Keynote speaker Peter Davies (Thales e-security) highlighted the growing complexity of connected vehicle systems, advocating a resilience-based approach to managing cyberattacks and system failures.

Research presentations showcased advancements in differential privacy (Professor Yi Yu), the human factors in cybersecurity (Dr Matt Spencer), and the Owl protocol for secure communication (Professor Feng Hao). Attendees also participated in an interactive session using the CyBOK framework and visited Warwick’s research labs, gaining insights into practical applications of cyber-physical systems. The event concluded with discussions on the future of the ACE-CSR network, calling for more hands-on activities (e.g., hackathons, CTF competitions) and stronger ties between academia and industry.

Trustworthy Systems in Distributed Manufacturing – The Future (30 September, University of Warwick)

Organised by ACE-CSR, this event focused on the security implications of Industry 4.0 and the shift toward data-driven manufacturing processes. Professor Carsten Maple (WMG and The Alan Turing Institute) opened the session, introducing the RAMONA project aimed at ensuring the authenticity and integrity of manufacturing artifacts.

A panel discussion with industry experts—including Thomas Cornthwaite (DiManEx) and Tammy Archer (former CISO of Inchcape)—explored strategies for building resilience into supply chains, preventing counterfeit parts, and balancing operational flexibility with robust cybersecurity. Interactive sessions underscored the benefits and risks of distributed manufacturing, emphasising the need for advanced defence strategies like AI-driven security measures and zero-trust architectures. Concluding remarks highlighted the next steps for ACE-CSR, including collaborative research on federated learning, anti-counterfeiting technologies, and strengthened industry partnerships.

Interested in Learning More?

Link to Trustworthy Systems in Distributed Manufacturing – The Future 30th September, 2024 can be found here.

Link to ACE-CSR Summer Event 25th – 26th July, 2024 here.