🚀 Dive Deep into our MSc AI Course! 🚀

 

Our MSc AI course isn't just theory - it's hands-on and practical! We introduce you to Blackbox tools and mentor you in crafting bespoke solutions tailored for any challenge.

🎮 Some of our graduates have made strides into different industries, for example, Fraud detection, autonomous cars, Healthcare transformation, timeseries forecasting and more, while others have taken the entrepreneurial route, launching their very own startups.

🛠️ The course is versatile:

Tackle real-world problems.

Get the direction and support your needs with our expert supervision and tutorials.

Design a major project that mirrors your vision, helping you build a robust portfolio and spotlight your expertise.

 

📘 Our diverse modules are designed to cover a wide spectrum of topics, ensuring universal applicability. Plus, our assessments come with a twist - you get to pick your application, ensuring a genuine implementation of the techniques learned.

 

Interested? Let's reshape the future of AI together! 🌟

 

Attention all businesses! Do you need innovative solutions but don't have the time to explore them? Our MSc AI students are here to help! Let's discuss the opportunity to propose project ideas for our students to tackle your organisation's challenges. Let's collaborate and make impactful advancements together.

I have room for some February cohort 2023/2024 projects. Reach out to me in messages or via email. You bring your problem/ idea, and we will write the proposal.

 

Course leader: [email protected]

 

Course website https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-artificial-intelligence/

Examples of our talented students :

• Shoreef Uddin: https://shorturl.at/gADW4
• Tai Nyirenda,: https://shorturl.at/dNRW1

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch the Electronic Warfare Challenge, as a new Themed Competition. Following the ministerial announcement  in December 2023 to launch an innovation challenge series under the AUKUS partnership, this competition is the first iteration of AUKUS Pillar 2’s Innovation Challenge Series. The challenge has been trilaterally agreed and is being run as three separate competitions by the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) in Australia, DASA in the United Kingdom and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in the United States.

This is the first time that DASA has worked in conjunction with both Australia and the US within one competition, enabling defence to leverage the best technologies available across the three nations for this challenge.

In short:

• DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: Electronic Warfare Challenge
• This is the first iteration of AUKUS Pillar 2’s Innovation Challenge Series which will run concurrently in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• The UK competition run by DASA is open to registered UK businesses only. Entrants from Australia or the United States should refer to their national competition page in order to enter.
• Up to £1.92 million funding available to develop capabilities that provide a competitive advantage to electromagnetic targeting and protection.

Learn More and submit a Proposal >> https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pulling-together-australia-uk-and-us-seek-innovative-electromagnetic-technologies 

During a discussion between an auditing and certification company, an ISO consultancy and a Cardiff university, an ideal employment opportunity came to light. Students with a background in computer science would be the perfect candidates to fill the gap in the market for ISO/IEC 27001 information security auditors. The career of an auditor is one of variety, security and longevity, as well as being financially rewarding.

Background

ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It also includes requirements for assessing and treating information security risks tailored to the certified organization. The standard was introduced in 2005 and revised in 2022.

The universally burgeoning need for organizations to show they conform to recognized information and cybersecurity standards – and provide proof of that conformity – has led to a substantially increased uptake of ISO/IEC 27001. This demand has, in turn, resulted in an ever-widening global skills gap, with many auditors being older people approaching retirement age, alongside an insufficient volume of young people stepping up to take their place.

Puting an Idea into Action

During a South Wales Cyber Security Cluster meeting, attendees decided to explore collaborative ventures in the region. One notable outcome was an idea aimed at fostering collaboration between industry and academia, driven by a common objective.

Among the attendees was Anthony Matthews, a long-standing cluster member and Managing Director at Charmwood Risk Management, a specialized consulting, auditing and advisory firm based in Cardiff. The firm primarily assists businesses in obtaining accredited ISO certification to globally recognized standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO/IEC 27001.

With over 22 years of experience in the certification industry, Anthony noticed a conspicuous lack of auditors to facilitate certification for his clientele. While many auditors in the field were nearing retirement, there was a general scarcity of available professionals. Reflecting on this, Anthony recognized auditing as a promising career path, offering opportunities for later transition into consultancy. However, he grew concerned about the lack of younger individuals entering the sector and sought to contribute to its transformation.

During discussions with Dr Chaminda Hewage, Programme Director for Computer Security at Cardiff Metropolitan University, they identified a potential solution to this gap: empowering younger individuals interested in IT through upskilling. This approach would not only address the auditor shortage but also enrich the students' CVs, setting them apart in their initial job applications.

The opportunity for further impact was clear. Leveraging Anthony's involvement in SGS's Consultants Connect program, he reached out to Vanda Bell, Head of Sales and Key Accounts at SGS UK, to explore the possibility of incorporating the ISO/IEC 27001 auditor training course into the Masters’ curriculum at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Vanda expressed: “We were delighted to collaborate with Anthony and Chami to provide this training and support the students in achieving greater success.”

The Result

Cardiff Metropolitan University provided funding, enabling Geoff Green, an SGS ISO/IEC 27001 trainer, to conduct internal auditor training for 27 IT Security Masters’ students.

Following the training, the graduating students entered the workforce, with two attributing their new roles, in part, to obtaining the auditor qualification. Rahmi Hussain, who secured a position as a Data Confidentiality Assurance Analyst at Admiral (EUI), expressed appreciation for the interactive classroom-based ISO/IEC 27001 training, noting its refreshing departure from online training amid the pandemic.

Next Steps

At the time of writing, the trio is collaborating with Cardiff Metropolitan University to identify additional courses where an internal auditor qualification could not only enhance career prospects but add valuable competitive advantage to the university’s offering.

To find out how you can get involved in a similar project with SGS and Charmwood, please call 0151 350 6666 or email [email protected].

What are Degree Apprenticeships?

The Degree Apprenticeship is an alternative to traditional university study that combines the work-based element of an apprenticeship with the academic framework of a Higher Education qualification.

A Degree Apprenticeship offers apprentices the opportunity to study part-time for an academic qualification while working full-time with an employer, gaining real world experience in their chosen career path whilst also getting paid at the same time.

Cardiff Metropolitan University's School of Technologies, located in Llandaff at the heart of Cardiff, offers Degree Apprenticeships fully funded by the Welsh Government for up to four years - there are no tuition fees for the apprentice undertaking the degree, and employers only need to commit one day per week for their employee/apprentice to study at Cardiff Met. Cardiff Met currently offers the following Degree Apprenticeships: BSc Applied Data Science, BSc Applied Software Engineering and BSc Applied Cyber Security.

Benefits to the Employer

• The option to upskill existing staff who have shown potential for development, as well as newly recruited apprentices.
• Access to the latest thinking and developments in the computing field via a modern approach to teaching inspired by industry.
• The option to grow talent and develop resilience in the workforce via hiring in new talent or developing existing staff with a minimal opportunity cost.
• A potential saving of £27,000 on standard tuition fees, which would be £9,000 per year if paid directly to the University.

Benefits to the Apprentice

• A key opportunity to earn a wage and gain 3 years work experience whilst studying for a fully funded BSc qualification.
• The opportunity to learn on the job, work on real life live projects, and apply the learning directly to your studies.
• An opportunity to be mentored by colleagues who are significantly experienced in their field.
• The chance to upskill and develop career-relevant skills.

Available Courses

- BSc Applied Data Science

The BSc Applied Data Science Degree Apprenticeship programme is developed as a three-way learning partnership between the apprentice, the employer and the academic team. The programme focuses on data, and builds apprentices’ ability to extract insights, knowledge and intelligence from the complex data points now ubiquitous in the world of business.

- BSc Applied Cyber Security

Apprentices on the BSc Applied Cyber Security will gain the skills and knowledge to protect networks, computers and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access. The programme is developed as a three-way learning partnership between the employer, the apprentice, and the academic team.

- BSc Applied Software Engineering

The BSc Applied Software Engineering will develop apprentices’ knowledge and expertise in the design, development and delivery of software for modern environments and platforms. A three-way learning partnership between the employer, the apprentice, and the academic team, the course is designed to create a culture and appreciation of software carpentry and codemanship, gaining highly transferable computational thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills in the process.

Entry Requirements

Five GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above, or grade 4 or above for those studying newly reformed GCSEs in England.

Plus, any one of the following:

• 96 points from at least 2 A-Levels to include grades CC, Welsh Bacc to be considered alongside this as a third subject.
• BTEC National Extended Diploma with grades MMM.
• 96 points from at least two Scottish advanced Highers to include grades DD.
• 96 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 2 x H2 grades. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
• 96 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma.
• A related apprenticeship at level 4. The Higher Apprenticeship in Data Analytics Level 4 is recognised as a direct entry to Level 5 of the programme.

How to Apply

Potential apprentices looking for more information about our Degree Apprenticeships and employers interested to enrol their apprentices or employees into our programmes, please contact Tara Williams, our Degree Apprenticeships Lead via email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Rising Stars is back! This is the ultimate pitch competition that shines a spotlight on the brightest tech startups across the UK. From North to South, East to West, we're on a mission to uncover the nation's top innovators. And this year, the excitement is bigger than ever…   👀 Picture this   You’re on stage pitching your business at London Tech Week (LTW) which brings together over 45,000 participants, 350+ speakers, and 1000+ investors for a celebration of tech innovation like no other.   It's the perfect stage to showcase your startup's brilliance and connect with industry leaders from around the globe.   🏆 Win prizes totalling over £170K in value, including:   £30,000 out-of-home media package: Amplify your reach with a £30,000 out-of-home media package from our partner JCDecaux Nurture.   £80,000 brand and go-to-market campaign: Immerse your brand in the spotlight with an £80,000 brand and go-to-market campaign supported by the experts at Founders Makers.   £60,000 executive hire: Secure your dream team with the first C-Suite hire courtesy of Founders Keepers, valued at £60,000   🔑 Deadline for applications is 18th March!   Don't miss your chance to be part of the next big thing! Apply now for Rising Stars and showcase your startup to the world.   Questions? Email [email protected]   APPLY HERE NOW

In an exciting collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade and OCO Global, we're connecting high-growth businesses to the dynamic Utah Trade corridor. This initiative leverages the strengths of Utah's Aerospace & Defense sector and fosters international cluster connectivity to expand your business's reach.

Why Join?

•  Broaden Your Market: Dive into a 8-month programme designed to enhance your export opportunities and international visibility.
• Innovative Connectivity: Benefit from a digitally connected ecosystem, fostering bilateral trade and partnership successes.
• Strategic Collaboration: Engage with international partners, buyers, and sector experts through a technology-enabled platform, increasing your export and partnership outcomes.

Companies will have the opportunity to join a digitally connected ecosystem designed to boost bilateral tradeactivities, thereby enhancing their export capabilities and partnership success. Participation in the program offers:

• Market Assessment: Gain key insights into potential clusters within high-growth international markets, providing a solid foundation for strategic planning and entry.
• Technology-Enabled Collaboration: Successful applicants will gain access to an online platform designed to facilitate opportunities and foster a digital community among businesses.
• Access to Opportunities: Engage in business development activities and buyer engagements within key international clusters, opening doors to potential collaboration opportunities.
• Webinars and Roundtables: Participate in events with key sector experts in Utah, enhancing communication and collaboration between companies and institutions across both regions.

By leveraging the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), participating companies will be able to:

• Strengthen trade between the UK and Utah.
• Overcome barriers for smoother business operations.
• Enhance supply chain resilience and academic ties.

Utah's Aerospace & Defence Excellence: Home to industry giants and a vibrant employment base, Utah stands out in aerospace engineering, materials science, and other critical areas. The state's commitment to economic and fiscal stability has been recognized nationally, providing a solid foundation for your business to thrive.

To express your interest and be considered for participation in the unique trade corridor, please make sure to fill out the questionnaire by the deadline of March 13, 2024. The questionnaire can be found here https://forms.gle/NpE7iMK5NzkVqCYU9 If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Current Themed Competitions

We have four themed competitions currently open on the website –

• Remote Monitoring of Sensitive Sites (Phase 2) – Closes 5^th March 2024 - Looking for novel ways to secure sensitive sites moving away from traditional methods. The competition is looking for the development of a complete autonomous security alarm and interdiction network system. We are looking for projects to deliver at TRL 6 (in two phases), for a maximum value of £500k for a total project length of 18 months.
• Rapid Detection of Toxic Gases – Closes 28^th March 2024 – Seeking new technologies that enhance the rapid detection of toxic gases to enable an early warning of unsafe levels of toxic gases in potentially busy spaces. We are also interested in estimating concentration, minimising nuisance alarms, quick identification of toxic gases and areas at risk. We are looking for projects to deliver a sensor at TRL 4, for a maximum value of £200k over a total project length of 12 months.
• Small, Lightweight Trace Explosives Detector – Closes 9^th April 2024 – Funding for the development of a small, lightweight, trace detection platform to form part of a system that is capable of multiplex detection of at least three explosive targets. We are looking for projects to deliver at least to TRL 4, for a value of around £300k over a total project length of 12 months.
• Mobile Evidential Drug Testing Instrument Demonstrator – Closes 16^th April 2024 - Seeking to explore the development of a world leading roadside evidential drug testing capability. The competition is looking for ideas which could allow both roadside and station-based systems to test or a wide range of different substances. We are looking for projects to deliver a demonstrator, for a maximum value of £350k over a maximum project length of 6 months.

Current Open Call

The current Open Call cycle (Defence and Security) will close on 6th March 2024, and has two Innovation Focus Areas available:

• Making Science Fiction a Reality: Future Directed Energy Weapons (IFA035) Interested in innovation to enhance the performance and/or reduce the size, mass and volume of system and sub system areas associated with laser and Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons. Note that this IFA will close on 6^th March 2024.
• Revolutionizing Biosensing: Instant Detection within Aerosol Collector Substrates (IFA041) - Looking for novel solutions that facilitate detection and identification of biological threat materials on or within a filter substrate. Note that this IFA will close on 6^th March 2024.

Remember, you do not have to relate your idea to these areas when bidding into the open call – they are simply topics that we are particularly interested in now, with specific associated funding.

Current Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP)

The scheme offers up to 50% funding to collaborations between UK-registered Lower Tier Suppliers and Higher Tier Suppliers, with a maximum total allowable value of £1M for supply chain strengthening projects for UK Defence. This could be over innovative technology, materials, or manufacturing processes. An example of a current DTEP project in Wales is Cardiff based Space Forge who are partnering with Northrop Grumman – with further detail here .

DTEP is currently not open for new outline applications – we are hoping to clarify this position late this financial year.

Future Competitions - Pipeline

You can access this through the website, scroll down to the bottom of this page to view . At the time writing there are the following upcoming competitions within the pipeline –

• Themed competition: Addressing some of the challenges in sample surface collection/preservation, analysis and attribution of hazardous chemical and biological materials – Launching February 2024
• Themed competition: Generation after next Electro Optics – Launching April 2024
• Themed competition: Novel methods in Protecting Physical Assets – Launching April 2024
• Themed competition: Generation After next Communications & Networks competition – Launching Spring 2024.
• Themed competition: Improving the universality and longevity of blood products for use in remote or austere locations – Launching TBC

Upcoming Events/Items of Interest

The Dstl searchlight team are running a series of online events aimed at engaging with the supplier community to highlight opportunities in working with the MODs science and technology department. The next in these series of events is on 4^th March between 1400 and 1600. Link to the specific event is here . Link to the wider event series is here .

Rolls Royce have launched their Open Innovation Challenge looking for any potential technology capability solution to be submitted into their Defence Innovation team for review. They are specifically looking for demonstration of new capabilities or innovation on existing ones and/or mature enough capabilities for rapid integration into their business. Link to further information on the competition is here .

SOFWERX, in collaboration with US Special Operations Command and UK Strategic Command, will host the fifteenth Innovation Foundry event in London.  This aims to bring together military practitioners, industry, academia, national laboratories, and futurists to explore and ideate around future scenarios and missions. The theme is around, ‘Smart Cities – Future Challenges for SOF’, will explore the challenges of physical and remote Special Operations Forces operations in a range of future complex smart city scenarios. More information is here . Deadline to apply is 4^th March 2024.

We are delighted to extend an invite to a UK-Ukraine Cybersecurity Roundtable being hosted at techUK's office (10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD) on the 7th March 2024 from 11am-12pm to discuss furthering cybersecurity collaboration between the UK and Ukraine with Deputy Minister for Digital Alexander Bornyakov, Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary of Ukraine, and a delegation of innovative Ukrainian cybersecurity companies.

 

Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=O-4hsLhwlEacgxa_NaniaiQBJmCGqatKsWnF6blY0nZUNU4wQzNBTlhUSERNNTdIV1ZMNEFGS0pJSi4u

 

If you would like to sign up, please complete this short form. The session will be followed by some light refreshments.

 

The roundtable will be co-chaired by Dan Patefield, Head of Cybersecurity at techUK, and Deputy Minister Bornyakov. This is a great opportunity to engage with high-ranking Ukrainian Government officials as well as some of the country's most innovative companies. If you would like to see which Ukrainian companies are attending, please see this document.

 

The Roundtable will focus on:

• The role of cyber security in modern wars: the experience of Ukraine and lessons for the World.

• The establishment of Ukraine as a cyber brand: Delivering quality solutions in the face of persistent cyber threats.

• Mastering security zones: practical steps to effectively protect critical infrastructure and any industry.

 

Please do complete the short form to sign up.

 

More information on the UK-Ukraine Tech event being held on 8th March can also be found here: https://www.techuk.org/what-we-deliver/events/uk-ukraine-tech-conference.html 

Could your students save Cyber City from attack?

Picture this: Cyber City is under threat, and your school has the chance to save the day. Herbert the Hacker, enroute to prison, has cunningly left behind a trail of intricate digital puzzles within the city. These mysteries hold the key to saving Cyber City and its citizens. The question is, is your team up for the challenge?

Enter here

 

Enter the Cyber Explorers Cup 2024

This isn't just a competition for students aged 11-14; it's an opportunity to inspire and nurture the next generation of cyber security enthusiasts. Beyond competition, students gain hands-on experience in critical thinking, teamwork, and cyber security. By saving the city in the fastest time, teams stand to win a careers event for your school packed with fun activities and insights from real cyber security industry professionals.

Who can enter

11-14-year-old students from KS3 (UK and Wales), P7, S1 and S2 (Scotland) and Years 8, 9 and 10 (NI) from schools and home-schools.

Team structure

Teams can be made up of four students per team. Schools are restricted to entering a maximum number of one team.

Entry condition

Competing schools must have completed 65% of the Cyber Explorers learning programme.  All competing students must have completed at least one character's Challenges including Save the City. It is recommended that at least one competing student, has completed all the Missions.

Availability

Competition slots will run for a five-day period from 4 March 2024 to 8 March 2024. Teams must be available for one hour within these five days.

 

You can find comprehensive details about the competition by visiting: Cyber Explorers - Knowledge Hub .

 

Over the next month, we at Cardiff School of Technologies would greatly appreciate your participation and feedback in an anonymous questionnaire. Your insights are crucial for validating a data protection framework (VDaaS): A Novel SLEPT Data Protection Framework, vital for the successful completion of a PhD project undertaken by Vinden Wylde.

Questionnaire Link: https://cardiffmet.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bOCp24vP4mTR8aO

The questionnaire should take approximately 20 minutes, and we understand the value of your time in contributing to this important project.

Benefits:

• Gain awareness of current data protection practices and upcoming legislation.
• Provide framework guidance in the Technical Application of Data Protection by Default and Design (GDPR).
• Enable greater customizable control over data transmission and collection.
• Foster a better overall data protection culture.

Thank you very much in advance for your valuable contributions.

Brought to you by Technology Connected, the network for the technology industry in Wales, we are thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated Wales Technology Awards for 2024. As the creators of Wales Tech Week, we are honoured to now shift the spotlight from the industry as a whole to focus on celebrating the incredible individuals and projects which are driving it forward.

Without the truly great individuals, teams and organisations behind these innovative solutions, the enabling technology of today and tomorrow would simply not exist.

The Wales Technology Awards 2024 will showcase and celebrate these remarkable people, their ingenuity and their businesses – collectively championing Wales' dynamic Tech Industry.

The Wales Technology Awards 2024 is poised to serve as a prestigious platform to showcase and honour those who underpin Wales' thriving and vibrant tech industry.

Join us for a celebration of innovation, excellence, and the enduring impact of the technology sector in Wales.

Register your place here: https://technologyconnected.glueup.com/event/91997/register/ 

Cyber Wales is very proud to be the only Qualified Issuer of the coveted "Cybersecurity Made in Europe" label in the UK. This new initiative from the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) was launched in July 2020 and Cyber Wales are one of 11 founding Partners including cyber ecosystems from Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Finland and Bulgaria.

The key purpose of the Label 'Cybersecurity Made in Europe' is to serve as an industry-driven marketing instrument to promote qualified European-based cybersecurity companies and increase their commercial exposure far beyond their traditional home markets. European cybersecurity companies from the European Union Member States (EU27), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as well as the United Kingdom (UK) will be eligible to apply for the Label.

More information about how cybersecurity companies in the UK can apply for this can be found here.