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Deepfake detection training resources and analysis of interview techniques among funded research projects
Police Scotland and the Abertay cyberQuarter have entered into a strategic partnership designed to strengthen efforts to combat cybercrime and improve the country’s cyber resilience.
The Abertay cyberQuarter is Scotland’s centre for research and development in cybersecurity, with twelve current partners across industry and the public sector.
Under the new partnership, Police Scotland Cybercrime Investigations and Digital Forensics will work with academics, researchers and students on a range of research, outreach and public awareness projects, as well as attending regular meet-up and networking events with a focus on growing the cyber cluster in the Tay Cities Region.
The partnership will also promote knowledge sharing between officers and students and staff from Abertay’s Cybersecurity and Computing programmes.
Abertay have also received sponsorship for two PhD research scholarships from the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR).
A project investigating how individuals can determine sophisticated AI-generated visual deepfakes from genuine online media will be set up, with the aim of creating training materials to improve detection. A second scholarship will see Abertay students examine the effectiveness of various interviewing techniques through the lens of psychological and sociological research.
The use of new techniques to enhance processing required in digital forensics work is also being explored, as are ways to build on existing research into romance fraud.
Police Scotland will have access to the Abertay cyberQuarter CPD training Lab and secure Malware Analysis Lab, in addition to desk space for staff and events facilities.
Ahead of the launch, Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Stuart Houston, Executive Lead for Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, and Intelligence, and the Senior Responsible Officer for Cyber Capabilities, visited Abertay cyberQuarter during the annual Cyber Student Showcase.
ACC Houston said:
We look forward to working in partnership with Abertay cyberQuarter to share knowledge, skills and use the latest research to enhance our cyber training, resilience and investigatory capability. While we work closely with UK and international law enforcement agencies, we know that partnership working across other sectors, including academia, can further advance our approach to the investigation and detection of cybercrime. Our work with Abertay cyberQuarter will be driven by a newly established Cyber and Fraud Unit, comprising of specialist detectives and staff, that will develop new capabilities and training to tackle emerging digital threats to Scotland. We know that behind every cybercrime is a victim who has potentially lost their savings, their business and their confidence. This new partnership will enable us to share expertise and resource to better prevent, protect, prepare and pursue those who commit fraud, economic crime and cybercrime.
Professor Lynne Coventry, Director of the Abertay cyberQuarter, said:
Police Scotland’s presence within the Abertay cyberQuarter represents a significant step forward in applying academic research to real-world digital policing challenges. Through this partnership, we aim to develop evidence-based solutions that support community online safety and promote ethical, secure digital practices in law enforcement. Abertay cyberQuarter continue to grow in terms of our research profile but also in our role as Scotland’s base for collaboration, discussion and thought-leadership within the cyber and tech community. Police Scotland will bring significant added value to the conversation as we collectively seek to make the country a more secure place and instill strong cybersecurity practices throughout our communities.
Police Scotland joins a growing network of public and private sector organisations based within the cyberQuarter, including NHS Scotland’s Cyber Centre of Excellence, Systal Technology Solutions, NCR Atleos, cyberfraud center and ScotlandIS, all working together to address some of society’s most pressing digital challenges.
The Abertay cyberQuarter opened in 2022, receiving a total of £5.7 million in funding from the UK Government and £6 million from the Scottish Government as part of the Tay Cities Deal. In addition to research projects, the centre hosts almost 100 events a year, including a diverse range of conferences, industry workshops, and learning sessions, aimed at boosting collaboration among organisations and retaining talent in Scotland.
Angela Constance MSP, Scottish Government Justice Secretary, said:
Fraud, data theft and other cybercrimes can have a lasting impact on individuals and businesses. As part of the Tay Cities Deal, the Scottish Government has invested £6 million in the cyberQuarter to help combat such crimes. I welcome this partnership which will bring policing expertise together with academic research to build Scotland's defences against cyber threats and protect our communities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:
National security is a key priority so it's great to see how Abertay cyberQuarter, backed with £5.7 million of the UK Government's £150 million Tay Cities Growth Deal funding, is collaborating with others to help trailblaze cybercrime prevention techniques and boost online safety. The UK Government is working closely with partners across Scotland to invest around £1.7 billion in local projects as we deliver a decade of national renewal as part of our Plan for Change.
About the Tay Cities Region Deal
The Tay Cities Region Deal is a partnership between local, Scottish and UK governments and the private, academic and voluntary sectors which seeks to create a smarter and fairer Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross under the headings Inclusive Tay; Innovative Tay; International Tay; Connected Tay and An Empowered Tay.
The Scottish Government and UK Government will each invest up to £150 million in the Tay Cities Region Deal over 10 years, subject to final approval of robust business cases.
As of 30 September 2024, over £231million has been approved by Governments and the Partnership for investment and over 2,541 jobs have been created.
This central investment from both Governments has the potential to lever in £400m of investment over 15 years, of which more than £180million has already been secured by Projects.
Full and further information on the progress the Deal has made to date on securing investment and jobs, can be found within the Annual Performance Report located on the Tay Cities Region Deal website.
