PhD Studentship: Strengthening the Cyber Security of Multi-Domain Systems

5 days ago


Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

Supervisory Team: Dr Erisa Karafili, Dr Basel Halak

PhD Supervisor: Erisa Karafili

Project description:

Cyber-attacks in multi-domain environments present a critical challenge due to the interconnected nature of modern systems, spanning across the human, cyber and digital aspects. These attacks exploit vulnerabilities across domains, posing significant risks to critical infrastructure, national security, and economic stability. As cyber threats grow in sophistication, our need to address this problem becomes increasingly urgent.

In this PhD project, you will:

  • Formalize and represent the threat model of complex systems, considering both cyber and physical aspects, and the human element.
  • Use techniques like Attack Trees and Bayesian Attack Trees to predict attack stages and identify compromised components.
  • Incorporate methodologies for automatic risk modeling to calculate and predict the impact of attacks.

You will explore the interconnected nature of modern systems spanning across the human, cyber and digital aspects. By understanding how threats propagate and interact, you will develop comprehensive models that also include the often-overlooked human aspect. These models will help predict the next stages of an attack and understand the risk levels of analyzed systems.

Additionally, you will build a testbed to emulate attacks on cyber-physical systems and a software platform to simulate complex systems. These tools will visually represent attacker movements and damages, offering insights into preventive and mitigative measures.

You will join the Cyber Security Research Group recognised as Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR) and Education (ACE-CSR), and work with Dr Erisa Karafili and Dr Basel Halak.

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems to provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment. As well as carrying out research training in a world-leading research group, membership of CISDnS will provide the opportunity for you to be exposed and trained to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach. You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector.

Entry Requirements

This PhD studentship requires UK Citizenship. First Honours or 2:1 bachelors or masters degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or related areas. Experience and/or a high interest in cyber security is a strong requirement. We welcome applicants onto the CDT from underrepresented groups.

Closing date: 31st July 2024.

Funding: Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. A number of studentships are available and will be awarded on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online, by clicking the 'Apply' button, above.

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select "Integrated PhD in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security "

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Dr Erisa Karafili.

Applications should include:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Two reference letters
  • Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-

Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities



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