Connected devices and sensors in our homes and workplaces – known
as the Internet of Things (IoT) – offer huge potential for
improving how we live and move around.
We can measure health data, travel habits and energy use, predict
demand for public services and support planning and management of
critical national infrastructure.
But as more devices become connected, the more vulnerable they
are to sophisticated cyber security threats. This becomes even
more important as critical applications for the IoT emerge.
Innovate UK has up to £6 million to invest in organisations with
ideas that address industry-focused cyber security-related
challenges.
The investment forms part of the UK
Research and Innovation Strategic Priorities Fund, which
supports the highest priorities identified by researchers and
businesses.
It is part of a set of measures by UK government to build
increased security and protections into digital devices and
online services. As well as this programme, this includes an up
to £70 million investment through the Industrial Strategy
Challenge Fund to tackle digital security by design.
More resilient, intelligent systems
The competition aims to join up the UK’s research base with
industry to transfer knowledge and develop new products and
services that tackle cyber security in the IoT.
Projects should include artificial intelligence or machine
learning and have a clear plan for commercialisation.
They should focus on at least 1 of the following:
- operational resilience technologies that can protect and
recover data
- intelligent control systems for industry, commercial and
public sector buildings
- protection of people living in digital homes and their smart
systems
Projects could also look at complementary technologies, such as
distributed ledger technologies that support the sharing of data
across multiple locations, or 5G mobile networks.
- the competition opens on 18 February 2019 and the deadline
for applications is at midday on 1 May 2019
- UK-based businesses of any size can lead a project, working
with other businesses, research organisations, public sector
organisations or charities. Collaborations should involve at
least one academic partner and one small or medium-sized
enterprise
- businesses could receive up to 70% of their project costs
- total eligible project costs can be between £2.5 million and
£4 million
- projects must start by 1 December 2019 and can last between
18 and 24 months
- projects that pass the written application stage will be
invited to an interview panel between 1 and 5 July 2019 to
present their ideas
