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Double success for Abertay at 2021 Scottish Cyber Awards
Abertay University enjoyed double success at the 2021 Scottish Cyber Awards with awards going to a key academic staff member and a recent graduate.
Colin McLean, who has been integral in building Abertay鈥檚 reputation as a pioneer in the field of Ethical Hacking, was named Cyber Educator of the year, while alum Sarah Cunningham was named Outstanding Woman in Cyber.
A certified ethical hacker and trained internal and external systems penetration tester, Dr McLean joined Abertay鈥檚 teaching staff in 1990 and worked as a medical robotics engineer and as a programmer at ABS (Advanced Biometric Systems).
He has been involved in two highly successful knowledge transfer partnerships: one related to encryption within an ATM environment and the other to the security of network ATMs.
His research interests include penetration testing, web application testing and malware analysis.
Sarah Cunningham is a former president of Abertay鈥檚 Ethical Hacking Society, which organises the annual Securi-Tay conference in Dundee. She now works in the cybersecurity industry as an Information Security Consultant.
Dr Natalie Coull, Head of the Division of Cybersecurity at Abertay University said: 鈥淥n behalf of all associated with Abertay I鈥檇 like to offer my sincere congratulations to Colin and Sarah.
鈥淐olin is an essential member of Abertay鈥檚 academic team and he has played a key role in building our Ethical Hacking programme and, in turn, forging the University鈥檚 international reputational for excellence in the field of cybersecurity. His award is hugely deserved.
鈥淪arah was an outstanding student during her time with us at Abertay and I鈥檓 really pleased she鈥檚 achieved this industry-recognition so early in her career. I have no doubt she will continue on to even bigger and better things.鈥�
The awards cap off a successful year for Abertay which has seen work begin on the new cyberQuarter cybersecurity research and development hub which is funded through the Tay Cities Region Deal.
The hub, which has already created 30 new jobs for Dundee through the location of NHS National Services Scotland cyber operations at the site, will be based in the Annie Lamont Building when it opens early next year.
