Centre for Marine Autonomy, Maritime Cyber Security and Technology (CMAST)
A key driver of maritime autonomy and cyber security research at the heart of the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy
CMAST is founded on the achievement of research excellence across autonomous maritime technology and systems, and the cyber security of these technologies and systems.
The Centre blends these areas of research excellence holistically, understanding the systems of technology, people, and processes in unique surface and underwater environments. This mirrors the complex microcosm of industry and defence in the South West region, but also nationally and (because of the nature of our oceans) internationally.
We bring together diverse research disciplines and stakeholders to continue pioneering safe, cyber-secure, sustainable, and advanced autonomous maritime systems.
Advancing systems and technologies in and on our oceans is enabling their increased visibility and use. Marine autonomy is a key part of this development, but it is not alone in the ecosystem and the whole picture should be considered. For example, while it is critical to develop these solutions, it is also critical that they are safe and cyber-secure.
CMAST provides that holistic system-of-systems approach. This Centre will help interface external partners and internal expertise to meet complex challenges regionally and internationally.
Dr Kimberly Tam
Associate Professor of Cyber Security, Marine and Maritime Theme Lead at the Alan Turing Institute, and Director of CMAST
Research projects
Research highlights: marine autonomy
The University of Plymouth has been working in the development and application of marine autonomous systems for over 30 years.
Extensive marine and maritime expertise, world-class facilities, strong industry partnerships and coastal deployment capabilities provide an unrivalled ecosystem to transform ocean observation at a significantly lower cost and environmental impact. We configure autonomous systems for a range of applications, from environmental monitoring to defence and commercial operations.
Research team
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![Dr Kimberly Tam Associate Professor in Cybersecurity]( "Dr Kimberly Tam")
Dr Kimberly Tam
Associate Professor in Cybersecurity
Director of CMAST
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![Professor Kevin Jones Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Innovation]( "Professor Kevin Jones")
Professor Kevin Jones
Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Innovation
Deputy Director of CMAST
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![Ms Sarah Fear Sector Lead (Marine and Low Carbon)]( "Ms Sarah Fear")
Ms Sarah Fear
Sector Lead (Marine and Low Carbon)
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![Dr Avanthika Vineetha Harish Researcher]( "Dr Avanthika Vineetha Harish")
Dr Avanthika Vineetha Harish
Researcher
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![Mr Aaron Barrett Lecturer in Autonomy]( "Mr Aaron Barrett")
Mr Aaron Barrett
Lecturer in Autonomy
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![Mr Juan Dorje Palbar Misas Research Assistant/Fellow in Navigation and Maritime Cyber]( "Mr Juan Dorje Palbar Misas")
Mr Juan Dorje Palbar Misas
Research Assistant/Fellow in Navigation and Maritime Cyber
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![Dr Dena Bazazian Lecturer in Robotics and Machine Vision]( "Dr Dena Bazazian")
Dr Dena Bazazian
Lecturer in Robotics and Machine Vision
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![Mr Luke Christison Researcher - Data Visualisation]( "Mr Luke Christison")
Mr Luke Christison
Researcher - Data Visualisation
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![Dr Pablo Borja Lecturer in Control Systems Engineering]( "Dr Pablo Borja")
Dr Pablo Borja
Lecturer in Control Systems Engineering
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![Mr David Bowman Senior Technician - Clean Maritime and Autonomy]( "Mr David Bowman")
Mr David Bowman
Senior Technician - Clean Maritime and Autonomy
In the news
University secures up to £7 million to boost defence-related skills
The investment is being made through the Office for Students’ Defence Related Skills Funding Competition
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![Professor Matthew Palmer has been working in the marine autonomy sector for more than two decades and will officially join the University of Plymouth as its new Professor of Marine Autonomy and Environmental Intelligence in June]()
University appoints senior academic to drive marine autonomy innovation and collaborationProfessor Matthew Palmer will join the University in June
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![Lord Coaker, Luke Pollard MP and Fred Thomas MP join representatives from the University of Plymouth, Team Plymouth and the city's marine autonomy sector for a roundtable discussion at the University's Marine Station]()
Defence Growth Deal provides £50million boost to Plymouth and South WestThe University played a key role in the UK Government announcement and is critical to delivering its vision of defence-driven growth
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![Drone footage of Plymouth Sound.]()
University leads partnership awarded up to £20 million to grow South West's thriving autonomous sectorsThe funding will enable increased research and development into technologies that can be deployed on land, at sea and in the air
- More related news
Related study opportunities
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate programmes
Doctoral training
Continued professional development
Delivering on the UK's defence and security priorities
Our maritime cyber security research forms a key part of the contribution of the University and its partners – 'Team Plymouth' – to the UK's 2025 Strategic Defence Review.
Eaton
Babcock
ABS group
BMT Group
Research England
Royal Navy
Hensoldt
Spirent
BT
Wärtsilä
AMI Marine
Lloyd's Register
Raymarine
C3IA
ClassNK