learn from the best

Researchers in the Department of Computer Science & Digital Technologies are experts on protecting web servers and networks, particularly on how to monitor these systems in real time. Their research identified that sonification, using nonspeech audio as a monitoring tool, is effective for locating and detecting problems in computer systems. Organisations such as the US Naval Research Laboratory, Fraunhofer and CERN are now using this approach.

Following a Technology Strategy-Board funded project with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the researchers have also developed a system to monitor computer network traffic in real time to spot patterns that could signal impending problems. Researchers worked with Security Risk Management Ltd, an information assurance firm who have identified a number of opportunities surrounding situational awareness. In computer networks, this is being aware of what is going on within the network to gain an understanding of how events, such as a potential cyber-attack, new information, and our own actions will affect it.

Researchers provided guidance around online payment procedures, fraud detection, and vulnerability assessment to the Dublin-based online gambling site Star Spreads for whom trust and privacy are essential elements. This culminated in a thorough test of the company’s online system. They also worked with the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), training its digital forensic investigation team in a mix of skills development and best-practice digital forensics investigatory policies and procedures.

Helping business to ‘pipe up’

iNPIPE Products (IPP) were helped by researchers from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria to increase operational efficiency and turnover.

The company, which specialises in oil and gas pipeline maintenance products, has reduced the time taken to process sales, the number of orders that arrived late and the number of rejected products. These improvements were a result of a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Newcastle Business School, who worked with iNPIPE to improve its business processes and to implement an integrated information system.

Working closely with staff, researchers identified improvements and developed new ways to make design through to production easier and quicker. They also trained staff in new business processes and computerised systems.

iNPIPE also managed to make an annual saving of more than £140,000 in its bi-directional pig products, devices used to clean the inside of oil and gas pipes, by reducing the number of rejected products.

Shari Thomson, iNPIPE’s business development manager, said: “The KTP project has exceeded expectations. The support of the University’s staff has been invaluable in achieving these outcomes. Culturally, we are now a more open, transparent organisation in terms of decision-making. Working with the Northumbria team on this project has allowed iNPIPE to use their expertise and research knowledge to take the company forward in terms of increased sales, reduction in re-work and waste, and to facilitate a change in the company culture.”