Abacws: A new home for the Schools of Mathematics, and Computer Science and Informatics

Due for completion this autumn the new ‘Abacws’ building will bring together the School of Computer Science and Informatics and the School of Mathematics into one world-leading facility. This six-storey building has been designed in collaboration with students and academic staff to create interdisciplinary, flexible, and creative workspaces, with innovative teaching areas. 

State-of-the-art facilities for world-leading cyber security research 

For over a decade Cardiff University has been paving the way for cyber security research, earning a world-leading reputation for its expertise. The University was named as an ‘Academic Centre of Excellence’ in cyber security research by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2018 and is the first institution in Wales to gain this acknowledgement.  

Millions of pounds have been invested in research infrastructure for cyber security, including a state-of-the-art cyber range and immersive cyber-attack and defence lab, a new cyber security control centre zone, transport simulator and a cognitive robotics zone.  

The centre will also be home to a whole host of cutting-edge facilities including: 

The Makerspace and IT workshop which will help to further expand our research around developing tangible devices to help end users to better understand privacy and how smart devices collect and use their data.  

The Manufacturing Testbed in the Cyber Defence Lab which will help to develop a context-aware anomaly detection mechanism that physically observes Industrial Cyber Physical Systems edge devices to detect cyber-attacks.  

The Smart Home Lab which will help to conduct research on privacy and data protection in smart homes and users of vulnerable communities by using physical artefacts.  

Considering a career in cyber security? 
The opening of Abacws, along with the launch of a brand-new master’s programme MSc Cyber Security and Technology, marks a great time to consider studying cyber security at Cardiff University.  

This unique MSc offers a clear path to a successful career in the fast-moving and exciting area of cyber security. The programme has been developed by leading researchers at the Cardiff Centre for Cyber Security Research in close collaboration with industry experts from PwC, and supported by funding from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal. This new programme is introduced in addition to the existing MSc Cyber Security which has been provisionally certified by the NCSC in 2021. 

Funding support available  

There are 15 fully funded places and living cost bursary, available on the MSc in Cyber Security and Technology degree course for the 2021/22 academic year. Places will be allocated on a competitive basis to the strongest applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. 

Professor Pete Burnap, Director of the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Dr Yulia Cherdantseva, Cyber skills Lead and MSc programme leader gave their insights on this exciting new opportunity.  

“We are delighted to be launching this new hands-on MSc programme in Cyber Security and Technology. Our ethos is always to fulfil the needs of industry, and this programme responds directly to the latest applied skills needs – giving our graduates a great platform to move into technical roles in the sector.” 

“The fact it has been designed, and will be co-delivered with PwC, demonstrates the industry relevance of the course. While the financial support to get this off the ground from the Cardiff Capital Region Deal shows the ambition of South-East Wales to be a magnet for the best cyber talent.” 

For full information on the course, eligibility and how to apply for the MSc in Cyber Security and Technology please click here.