New Director for Imperial’s Institute for Security Science and Technology

Professor Chris Hankin is appointed Director of Imperial’s Institute for Security Science and Technology

Monday 21 December 2009
By Natasha Martineau

Professor of Computing Science Chris Hankin becomes Director of Imperial’s Institute for Security Science and Technology, succeeding Professor Sir Keith O’Nions, who takes up the post of Acting Rector of the College on 1 January 2010.

Professor Hankin has worked at Imperial since 1984 as a theoretical computer scientist, where he has also held posts as Dean of City and Guilds College (2000-2003), Pro Rector for Research (2004-2006) and Deputy Principal of the Faculty of Engineering (2006-2008). His research has focussed on understanding the dynamic behaviour of computer programmes, which has become especially applicable to security science in the past 10 years. His work has helped certify programs against security criteria and includes techniques for working out the vulnerability of computer systems.

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Professor Hankin said: “I am greatly looking forward to building on the firm foundations that Sir Keith has established for the Institute. Finding ways to harness the science and technology at Imperial to find ways of improving security is an exciting challenge. In particular, I hope to build up our strengths in cyber security, to help make networks less vulnerable.”

Professor Hankin’s new appointment coincides with other recent security-related funding successes for Imperial. These include the announcement that Imperial is to be an associate partner in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s ICT Knowledge and Innovation Community. And support from the Royal Society for a collaboration between Professor Hankin and colleagues in Paris to carry out further research into ways of making software piracy more difficult.

The Institute for Security Science and Technology is one of four multidisciplinary institutes at Imperial, set up to respond to global challenges including developing sustainable energy sources, tackling climate change, improving global health and addressing safety and security.