A Lancaster University initiative which works with industry to develop new cyber security innovations has won a coveted knowledge exchange award.
The North West Cyber Security Connect for Commercialisation (NW CyberCom) project is a £1.2m initiative to unlock the cyber security potential of the north-west of England. It draws on established partnerships with the National Cyber Force and GCHQ to develop an innovation ecosystem across the North West Cyber Corridor.
The project sees Lancaster - and its six North West partner universities - work with entrepreneurs, investors, government and businesses to transform cutting-edge knowledge into innovative new products, services and policy, to better protect consumers, businesses and UK infrastructure.
NW CyberCom won the Sector Collaboration Initiative category at the Knowledge Exchange UK Awards in Salford.
Dr Mark Rushforth, Associate Director of Enterprise and Innovation at Lancaster University, said: "This award is a fantastic recognition of Lancaster University as a leader in cyber security, nationally and internationally.
"NW CyberCom is a direct result of our research and innovation strength in cyber security, which gives us the ability to bring together a large number of influential partners to work together to unlock the North West's cyber security potential, leading to huge economic and employment benefits.
"Taking on this leading role has allowed us to shape the conversation around cyber security, demonstrate the growing importance of the North West as a powerhouse for national cyber security and open up ever-greater opportunities for the region.
"Bringing together a huge project like NW CyberCom isn't easy and the team should be extremely proud of what they have achieved."
NW CyberCom is designed to accelerate cyber security sector innovation through university collaborations and is delivered in partnership with The University of Salford, The Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, University of Liverpool and University of Lancashire - as well as industry partners Plexal and CRSI.
As well as supporting industry, it provides bespoke training for university researchers focused on maximising commercialisation opportunities.
Funded by Research England's Connecting Capability Fund (CCF), NW CyberCom is also supported by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The KE Awards, organised by Knowledge Exchange UK and supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), celebrate outstanding achievements in knowledge exchange, recognising impactful collaborations and innovation across the UK and beyond.
Two additional Lancaster projects were also finalists at the awards. They were: Quantum Base in the Commercialisation Initiative category and Bridging the gap between Academia and Industry in Nigeria in the Impact-Led Initiative category.
Stuart Wilkinson, CEO of Knowledge Exchange UK, added: "The KE Awards demonstrate the extraordinary power of collaboration between academia, industry, and communities. Each finalist and winner represents not only excellence in their field, but also a shared commitment to ensuring that knowledge exchange delivers real, lasting impact. Nights like this give us a glimpse of what is happening across the UK and just how vibrant, innovative, and essential knowledge exchange is."
