UNSW Institute of Cyber Security (IFCYBER) to deliver real-world impact

The new Institute of Cyber Security (IFCYBER) continues to grow as it strives to deliver real-world impact across the globe in the battle against dangerous online threats.

IFCYBER was launched in March 2021, and boasts a large conglomerate of experts in cyber security across each of UNSW’s Faculties. More than 100 academics are now IFCYBER members.

Professor Sanjay Jha, from the School of Computer Science and Engineering, is the deputy director of UNSW IFCYBER. He is working at the intersection of networking and security and played an important role in establishing the institute.

The School of Computer Science and Engineering plays a key role in IFCYBER, which allows their researchers to interact with a large UNSW community bringing complementary skills in psychology, business, law and policy.

“The School has a distinctive and unmatched capability within the technical scope of cybersecurity in research and education,” Professor Jha says.

“Our researchers distinguish themselves by taking a systems approach to cybersecurity in designing, building, and assessing the security and privacy aspects of ICT systems in telecommunications/networking, health, energy and online social networking applications.”

In education, they are at the forefront with SECedu led by Prof Richard Buckland, which empowers the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through education and UNSW’s Online Cyber Security Degree program.

Cyber security is more important than it has ever been in protecting Australian citizens and residents, as well as our collective national security and economic prosperity. There has been an unprecedented escalation in cyberattacks against individuals, business, political organisations and government, not only in Australia but around the world. This trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

“A large body of our work is underpinned by recent advances in machine learning/artificial intelligence including the security and privacy challenges posed by these threats,” Prof Jha says. 

‘Real world’ research, and as such, work with external stakeholders, is vital to better understand the problems, as well as to work together on effective solutions. In addition, fostering relationships with cyber academic partners nationally and internationally supports the work to provide a safer cyber space for citizens across the globe.

With over 100 academics becoming IFCYBER members, the future bodes well for UNSW to lead Australian, as well as international, efforts to research the broader cyber ecosystem. Please contact Dr. Helen Paik, our IFCYBER faculty representative for membership and participation.  

UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering is currently recruiting for a lecturer/senior lecturer position in Cybersecurity. Click for the job description and more information.