Workshop - Cyber Security Futures 2025: Strengthening Collaboration Between Academia and Industry

Cyber security challenges continue to evolve rapidly, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, digital transformation, and increasingly sophisticated threat actors. Addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, and practitioners. This interactive workshop will bring together researchers, cyber security professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to explore emerging cyber security threats, identify future research priorities, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Participants will engage in a series of facilitated discussions, breakout activities, and networking sessions focused on cyber resilience, responsible AI, skills development, security-by-design, and the future cyber workforce. The workshop aims to generate practical recommendations for strengthening partnerships between universities and industry while supporting the development of a more resilient and innovative cyber security ecosystem within the United Kingdom.

Proposed agenda

• 10:00–10:30 - Registration and Networking
• 10:30–10:45 - Welcome and Introduction
• 10:45–11:30 - Keynote: Emerging Challenges in Cyber Security
• 11:30–12:30 - Workshop Session 1: Future Threat Landscape and Research Priorities
• 12:30–13:15 - Lunch and Networking
• 13:15–14:15 - Workshop Session 2: Academia–Industry Collaboration and Innovation
• 14:15–15:00 - Workshop Session 3: Cyber Skills, Education, and Workforce Development
• 15:00–15:30 - Panel Reflections and Audience Discussion
• 15:30–16:00 - Networking Reception and Next Steps

Speakers – Proposed Panel Members

• Academic expert in Cyber Security, University of Roehampton – Dr. Mastaneh Davis
• Representative from Oxford University’s CRANE Network – Prof. Anderw Martin
• Cyber Security Lead from industry (e.g., financial services, consulting, or technology sector) – John Medlin
• Representative from UK Cyber Security Council or NCSC-affiliated community – Prof. Charles Clarke
• Other Academic in Cyber Security
  • Prof. Awais Rashid - Bristol
  • Dr. Fauzia Idrees Abro – Royal Holloway
  • Prof. Siraj Ahmed Shaikh -Swansea
• Prof. Helen Thorne -Surrey

Chair/Moderator

• Dr Lata Nautiyal, University of Roehampton