Aston University partnership to bring cyber security skills to the factory floor

Aston University is teaming up with a specialist spring manufacturer and the Manufacturing Technology Centre on a two-year project to strengthen the company's cyber security, in a partnership that will also feed back into teaching for the next generation of cyber security students.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with G&O Springs Ltd is worth £243,591. It is Aston's first KTP involving the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), a UK research and technology organisation specialising in advanced manufacturing.

What a KTP is

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, funded by Innovate UK, bring together a business, a university and a qualified graduate, known as an associate, who works inside the company on a strategic project. They are a way for academic research to make a practical difference in real businesses, and for universities to learn from industry.

Aston University says it is a national leader in the programme, ranked joint first in the UK for the number of active projects and first for overall project quality.

Protecting a precision manufacturer

G&O Springs makes springs and precision components for demanding applications where quality, reliability and safety are critical. The project will help it build its own in-house cyber security capability, with better monitoring, vulnerability management, risk assessment and incident response, supported by data dashboards and, where appropriate, AI tools.

It will also help the company work towards two recognised standards: ISO 27001 and NIST SP 800-171, a US standard for protecting sensitive information in defence and other security-critical supply chains.

Steve Boyd, Managing Director of G&O Springs, said: "We embarked on our NIST 800-171 journey in April 2024, but as an SME we've struggled to make the progress we'd hoped for, as it has been a real challenge to find the right expertise and resources."

"Working with Aston University and MTC is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our cyber resilience and equip our team with the knowledge and skills needed to defend against current and future threats."

Benefits for students too

The project is led by Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, Associate Professor in cyber security management at Aston University, supported by Professor Joshua Ignatius of Aston Business School and Jeremy Annable, Principal Advisor at the MTC.

Dr Chinnaswamy said: "What I particularly value about the KTP model is the opportunity for genuine two-way knowledge exchange. It allows us to apply research to real operational challenges while bringing those insights back into our teaching, enriching student learning and helping prepare graduates with the practical and strategic skills needed for future cybersecurity careers."

Jeremy Annable said: "Working with a fantastic company in G&O Springs and alongside incredible people from Aston University, we will innovate to produce a credible impact for what is now a vital part of any modern manufacturing business."

A growing skill

As more manufacturers connect their machines and systems to the internet, cyber security is becoming as important on the factory floor as in the office. Partnerships like this one give Birmingham students a direct line into the skills that industry needs.