University of Bristol-based cyber security initiative, CyBOK, enters ‘exciting new chapter’

University of Bristol-based cyber security initiative, CyBOK, enters ‘exciting new chapter’

Published: 20 Nov 2024, 4:30 p.m.

The Cyber Security Body of Knowledge (CyBOK), a project that has been pivotal in the UK’s national cyber security efforts for over seven years, is set to transition from a research initiative based at the University of Bristol to a Community Interest Company (CIC). This development marks an important milestone, securing CyBOK’s long-term role in shaping professional standards and educational pathways in the field of cyber security in the UK, with a growing influence internationally.

CyBOK has been at the forefront of advancing cyber security, providing a comprehensive Body of Knowledge designed to support education and professional training across the sector. The project aims to align cyber security with more established scientific fields by gathering insights from leading international experts, offering essential foundations for a rapidly evolving discipline. Funded by the National Cyber Security Programme (NCSC), CyBOK is led by Professor Awais Rashid at the University of Bristol.

The move towards a CIC brings several advantages, aligning with Pillar 1 of the UK’s National Cyber Strategy, which aims to develop a professional and structured cyber security workforce. CyBOK’s new CIC status will enable it to continue providing essential knowledge and resources for education and training, helping to address the sector’s workforce gap and ensuring that skills across the workforce are based on strong knowledge foundations. As a CIC, CyBOK’s community-focused mission is strengthened, reinforcing its credibility, access to funding, while ensuring it remains a self-sustaining and adaptable resource for the cyber security community.

The CIC will initially be led by the current CyBOK Executive Board and will actively seek input, leadership, and funding from interested parties both in the UK and internationally. The board will be free to develop the CyBOK in the best ways possible to enhance its reputation, applicability, content and global reach both in the core cyber security community and beyond. The transition period will begin in autumn 2024 and complete in summer 2026.

Highlighting CyBOK’s significance, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, Chris Ensor said: "The NCSC has proudly sponsored the CyBOK since its inception, supporting the development of a well-defined foundation of the cyber discipline from which specialists can learn and thrive. “It is a truly unique resource shaped by the community for the community and I am pleased this spirit will carry through as the project becomes a CIC. I am excited about the possibilities of the CyBOK sustaining its efforts for the longer term and will remain a staunch supporter of its mission in the years ahead."

Under the leadership of Professor Awais Rashid, based in Bristol's Faculty of Science and Engineering, CyBOK has become a cornerstone of cyber security research and training. This transition highlights the university’s critical role as a springboard for nationally and internationally significant research, helping shape the landscape of cyber security education.

“From the very beginning of CyBOK, we have emphasised that it is a resource for the community, by the community," said Professor Rashid. "The formulation of a CIC ensures that this ethos is maintained as we secure the future of CyBOK after the National Cyber Security Programme funding ends.

“This is an exciting new chapter for CyBOK. My colleagues in the CyBOK Executive Board and I are looking forward to maintaining and evolving CyBOK and its associated resources whilst ensuring that its rigour and openness is maintained and sustained.

"We look forward to working with colleagues across academia, industry, government and professional bodies to do so.”

Further information

CyBOK is a comprehensive Body of Knowledge which was created to inform and underpin education and professional training for the cyber security sector. In particular, the NCSC uses CyBOK as the basis of its certification of undergraduate and postgraduate cyber security degree programmes in the UK. CyBOK is a collection of 21 Knowledge Areas (KAs), developed by over 115 world experts. There is a large number of additional resources, from podcasts and webinars to detailed mapping guidance for mapping education and training courses to CyBOK, and a wide range of other resources to support educators and learners. There are also supplementary guides on emerging topics such as AI. All resources are open and freely available to access via the CyBOK website (cybok.org)

Names of Exec Board and Directors of the CIC:

  • Professor Awais Rashid
  • Dr. Yulia Cherdantseva
  • Professor Andrew Martin
  • Dr. Matilda Rhode
  • Professor Steve Schneider