Cyber security has long been considered a complex challenge - one that goes far beyond technical fixes. It requires more than a single-discipline approach, especially in a world where both technology and the human behaviours surrounding it are constantly evolving. As digital systems become ever more embedded in our daily lives, the need to protect them - and the sensitive data they hold - has never been more urgent. In the UK alone, the cyber security market is projected to exceed £18 billion by 2028.
At the forefront of addressing this challenge is the Centre for Sustainable Cyber Security (CS2) at the University of Greenwich - the first of its kind globally. This visionary centre reimagines how we tackle cyber threats by embedding sustainability into both its research focus and operational culture. CS2 brings together experts from multiple disciplines to create solutions that are not only effective today, but built to endure the future - ensuring that cyber security remains robust, relevant, and responsible.
Leading this effort is Professor George Loukas, an internationally recognised cyber security researcher. His work focuses on designing human-centric and data-driven applications, from building trustworthy online platforms to securing AI-powered homes.
One standout initiative is EUNOMIA, an innovative project led by Prof. Loukas between 2018 and 2021. EUNOMIA introduced the first social media platform designed to empower users to access the content they encounter based on trustworthiness. Unlike traditional platforms that rely on likes or centralised moderation, EUNOMIA promotes informed decision-making by giving users control over their own data and helping combat the growing crisis of online misinformation - what the World Health Organization has termed an "infodemic."
But cyber security research at Greenwich doesn’t stop at the digital world - it also reaches into our homes. Prof. Loukas currently leads CHAI (Cyber Hygiene in AI-enabled Domestic Life), a project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). CHAI is developing a groundbreaking tool that helps everyday users detect whether their smart home AI systems have been compromised. It’s the first application of a “human-as-a-security-sensor” approach in AI, showing that even non-experts can play a critical role in defending their own digital environments.
As Prof. Loukas eloquently stated in his TEDx talk, Cyber Security for the Human World:
“When we start seeing humans as a solution rather than as a problem, things change.”
Through research that combines technical innovation with human insight, the University of Greenwich is leading the way toward a more secure and sustainable digital future - one where cyber security is not just the domain of specialists, but a shared responsibility and opportunity for all.
