Leading Human Factors Risk Management Consultancy Awarded R&D Cyber Security Grant
26 January 2018
Corporate Risk Associates Limited (CRA), a human factors, safety and risk consultancy that provides services to the Critical National Infrastructure sector, has been awarded an R&D grant worth almost £70,000. This will allow CRA to make a significant contribution towards improving the integrity of Cyber Security systems in the Nuclear power sector.
Awarded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency which works with people, companies and partner organisations to drive the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy, the research will be completed during 2018.
The grant, with additional funding supplied internally by UK based CRA, will develop a tool that identifies instances of human error within Cyber Security. The tool will enhance the understanding of the role people play in defending against Cyber Security attacks in line with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Strategy “People: The Strongest Link”. Ultimately the project will improve the range of cyber defensive measures in nuclear power plants, minimising the risk to plant safety and the allowing for uninterrupted supplies of electricity.
James Amende, the Human Factors Business Development Manager at CRA, commented “It’s no longer a big secret that Human Factors is one of the most significant considerations in the modern cyber security landscape, and something that all security conscious organisations are trying to manage. Evidence of the significant financial and reputational impact caused by mismanagement of the Human Factor in cyber security is widely reported1, however there is still a lack of accessible analysis tools and techniques to support this. Our ambition is to remedy this situation with the development of a tool to help understand and visualise the contribution of human error to cybersecurity risk.”
Speaking about the grant CEO and Founder of CRA, Jasbir Sidhu, said: “CRA is delighted to have been awarded this grant from Innovate UK in recognition of the significant impact this project will have on the nuclear sector. Developing a tool to pin point instances of human error for Cyber Security will help ensure development decisions are based on realistic data and ultimately will reduce risk. Looking ahead, this project will have an impact on the understanding of Cyber Security risks in sectors as diverse as Global Finance to emerging and growing fields such as high integrity Data Centres.”
The project will be led by experts at CRA, including the company’s Principal Consultant Clare Borras and Task Analysis expert Dr Les Ainsworth, with computing and Cyber Security expertise provided by Professor Shujun Li and Dr Budi Arief of the University of Kent.
Established in 2000, CRA boasts a team of 42 technical consultants and 10 Associates, working from locations including London, Warrington, Glasgow and Gloucester. The company prides itself on managing safety, reliability and risk across multiple sectors including the nuclear, rail, defence and finance industries.
ENDS
CRA is one of the largest integrated Risk, Safety and Human Factors consultancies and is renowned for 1st class delivery of quality services to the Critical National Infrastructure. CRA’s multidisciplinary capability skillsets include: Integrated Process Risk/Safety/Human Factors Modelling and Management. CRA’s specialists have supported projects in the Nuclear, Defence, Process, Transport and Business & Finance sectors. CRA demonstrates - Thought Leadership in Risk Management - by organising and hosting the annual Risk Forum now in its 9th year.
For further information visit www.crarisk.com
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CRA Contact – James Amende, +44 (0) 203 813 1900, Jamende@crarisk.com