New security operations centre to protect UK education and research
Jisc launches managed service for tertiary education and research to monitor, detect, and respond to security threats.
The Jisc security operations centre (SOC), launched today, will help universities, colleges, and research centres guard against multiplying cyber security threats in the education and research sectors.
In 2024, the educational institutions across the UK that make up Jisc’s membership dealt with hundreds of cyber incidents, including 11 major incidents that severely impacted business as usual operations, according to the non-profit company’s annual cyber posture survey. With each cyber-attack requiring expert attention and resource, the overall cost to the sectors is estimated to be around £2 million.
Jisc, as the UK’s National Research and Education Network (NREN), provides the Janet Network, a high-speed digital foundation for collaborative research and education used by 20 million people in the UK. Use of Janet already includes a layer of cyber security protection, intelligence and support for users, with the new Jisc SOC now adding further enhanced security.
The SOC relieves pressure on internal teams through its state-of-the-art technology and specialist expertise, providing 24/7 protection, threat detection, and rapid incident response. Jisc’s visibility of the Janet Network means that cyber threats can be detected and contained faster, minimising impact and disruption to learning and research.
As the non-profit trusted security partner of the UK tertiary education sector, Jisc stays abreast of current security challenges, sharing intelligence and expert advice with its customers, enabling universities, colleges, and research centres to collectively defend against constantly evolving cyber threats.
David Batho, director of security at Jisc, said:
“The UK education and research sectors are subject to increasing cyber attacks on a daily basis, disrupting learning, research, and critical operations. This specialised security operations centre is more than just a service; it’s a commitment to a safer digital future.
"Jisc’s unique position as the provider of the UK’s national research and education network means the SOC has been built specifically to provide tailored protection for education and research institutions. Through advanced threat detection and response capabilities, we’re empowering the education community to innovate with confidence.”