Cyber Security PhD

This is a potential research degree area, subject to the approval of the University. If you are interested in undertaking a research degree in this area, please make contact with the Dean to discuss your proposal.

Cyber security at Abertay University covers a wide range of applied and theoretical research covering all dimensions of the cybersecurity arena. Our research covers hardware, software and human-centred security, as well as forensics and governance aspects.

Cyber Security is globally recognised as a serious concern. The UK government, in their 2010 National Security Strategy, rated cyber attacks as a Tier 1 threat. Despite a national austerity stance, the UK government is spending millions of pounds to ensure that this particular risk is mitigated. Abertay University is in a unique position to make a contribution to this endeavour due to our spread of research activity across the entire cyber security spectrum and our cross-disciplinary approach to the problem. We also have close ties with industry and law enforcement that ensure that we understand the problems being faced at the coal face. In this way we are able address the real and pertinent issues in the area, and our research can have maximum impact.

Our vibrant research culture encourages areas of cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary working, and draws from software good practice including secure software development, development of innovative forensic techniques and deployment of behavioural science in improving human resilience.  We are a member of the Cyber Nexus network (SICSA), a collaboration of Scottish universities whose goal it is to provide world-leading postgraduate education and research experiences. The SICSA programme prepares graduates for careers as researchers, academics and for a diverse range of local, national and international careers and professions outside of academia. The Cyber Nexus network fosters collaboration and development of cyber security researchers across Scottish universities and nurtures interactions between academia and the cyber security industry.