EPSRC iCASE PhD: Intelligent Malware Profiling for Automated Campaign Detection (open to UK and EU Nationals who can satisfy UK residency requirements)

This 4 year PhD project (start date 1 October 2019) will investigate the possibility of developing algorithms to profile the characteristics of malware and link these to targeted distribution campaigns. The novel element of the research will be research into large-scale, near real-time automatic malware fingerprinting. The student will look at linking analyses to threat vectors including, but not limited to, certain types of malware, organised criminal gangs, infection mechanisms and device/software type. The PhD will require a blend of creative thought around infection pathways, artificial intelligence methods for representation of behavioural profiles, and scalable analysis using the distributed Cloud services.
The outcomes of the project will lead to novel computer science articles and potentially a novel service for the Airbus Security Operations Centre (SOC). Airbus Group Innovations has an established international reputation for innovative research with impactful application in the areas of Risk & Security, among others.
The student will be given full access to Airbus facilities in Newport and be integrated into the Cyber Operations team as a member of the research unit, providing first-hand industry R&T experience. The research will develop skills in malware reverse engineering, artificial intelligence methods for representing malware behaviour, and Cloud deployment of machine learning models on massive datasets.
EPSRC Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) provide funding for PhD studentships where businesses take the lead in arranging projects with an academic partner of their choice. The Awards foster technological excellence and develop and maintain partnerships with world-famous schools, universities and research centres. More information on CASE awards and financial details can be found here - https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/coll/icase/intro/
The Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics is a research-led School in one of the UK’s premier universities with a leading, international reputation for excellent teaching and research activities. It hosts the Airbus Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Analytics at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/research-units/airbus-centre-of-excellence-in-cyber-security-analytics.
A CV and cover letter of approximately 1000 words, that outlines and specifies experience of direct relevance to this PhD topic, should be emailed to [Email Address Removed].