Lancaster University has reveals a "once in a generation" investment in cyber security and protection science.

The multi-million-pound investment in data and cyber security research, teaching and innovation will support the government’s National Cyber Force.

The £19m Security and Protection Science at Lancaster scheme will generate a total of 58 new jobs through the development of North West Cyber Corridor.

The National Cyber Force, which will be headquartered in Samlesbury, is expected to bring a £5bn boost to the region’s economy.

Announcing the flagship programme, Vice-Chancellor Andy Schofield said: “In the world in which we live today, the threat of cyber attacks is ubiquitous and can impact us all as we go about our work and family life.

“Lancaster’s approach to cyber security considers these challenges in a holistic way which goes beyond creating the technological solutions.

“By bringing together experts from a variety of academic disciplines, the university examines the sociological, psychological, economic, political and technological aspects of cyber security.

"This approach offers more robust solutions to the threats faced by the UK in the 21st Century.

“This is not just evident in our research and teaching but also in our engagement with leading stakeholders in this area across the public, private and third sectors, who have real confidence in our position.”

Lancaster is one of only a handful of universities in the UK whose education, research and training is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre.

To support the region’s wider cyber security infrastructure, the university this year launched an innovative part-time Cyber Security Executive MBA, in partnership with market-leading cyber security consultancy Templar Executives, to support business leaders in decision-making around threats.

Additionally, for the 2022-2023 academic year, Lancaster is also launching three new undergraduate degrees specifically focussing on cyber security.

So, the investment will provide the cutting-edge facilities and technology where leading academics can work on data and cyber-related projects and strengthen the next generation behind cyber-security.

The project will see a substantial investment in regenerating the south end of Lancaster’s Bailrigg Campus to create a state-of-the-art Data Cyber Quarter, which will generate exciting new partnership opportunities with the University.

It will also offer business colocation space where partners can be part of a multi-skilled, multi-disciplinary collaborative security and protection science community.

Mr Schofield added: “Security and protection science at Lancaster will embed this strength further and shows how committed we are to working with partners to create a vibrant and forward-thinking research community, all striving to protect our way of life.”