Future Beyond 2021 | The University of Sunderland

Cyber Security Strategy

The Cyber Security Strategy aims to assess, protect and manage the ever-increasing business risks and threats that are posed to the University in the digital world and by doing so will help to ensure our staff, students and partners are protected throughout their journey with the University.

University’s Current Position

The Cyber Security Strategy and its core themes is designed to improve the security posture of the University and make the institution more secure, informed, aware, reactive and responsive. This is the ultimate position the University needs to be in by 2021. However, with the continued transformation of the University’s delivery in learning and teaching and the continual investment in technology and increased digital footprint the cyber threat to the institution will continue to grow. We as an institution must meet and exceed that threat profile to be in a positive, pro-active position.

To achieve this we must continually and strategically invest in cyber security beyond the scope of this strategy moving forward. There are a number of key areas that require investment;

Staffing resources to deal with operational and development requirements around cyber security.
Continued capital investment in the IT Security Programme to implement operational and development changes across the University.
Cyber Security Strategy to cover the period 2021-2026 for the strategic focus on cyber moving forward.
Continued senior Executive engagement and support.

However the threat profile changes and adapts in the future which is an unknown, it is certain to increase the need for cyber security at every level across the University. With continued investment and support in this area the institution will be in a positive position moving forward.