
Profiles
Dr Rory Hopcraft
Research Fellow (Cybersecurity/AI)
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Biography
Biography
I am a Research Fellow within the Maritime Cyber Threats research group at the University of Plymouth. I have a background in geopolitics, with my own research exploring the international governance of maritime cybersecurity. I am currently working on the EU Horizon 2020 CyberMAR Project, helping to develop various cyber-awareness training materials.
Qualifications
Education:
- PhD (2023) in Cybersecurity, Royal Holloway University of London
- MSc (2016) in Geopolitics and Security, Royal Holloway University of London
- BSc (2012) in Geography and Global Politics, Canterbury Christ Church University
Other Academic Positions:
- Visiting Lecturer - Royal Holloway, University of London
Previous Positions:
- July 2019 - Sept 2019 -- Maritime Technology and Regulation Intern, BIMCO, Copenhagen, Denmark
- June 2019 -- Research Intern, International Maritime Organisation, London, UK
Professional membership
- Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology - Student Member - SIMarEST
- International Cyber Security Center of Excellence - Expert
Roles on external bodies
- Early Career Research Representative - UoP Research & Innovation Committee, Task & Finish Group
- Member of the program committee of the 2nd European Workshop on Maritime Systems Resilience and Security (MARESEC 2022) - organised by the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Interested in teaching all aspects of maritime regulation and cybersecurity, and will be supporting the delivery of cyber-related content to non-technical students.
Teaching in 2021/2022
COMP3009/COMP5006 - Information Security Management & Governance (University of Plymouth)
- Introduction to Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Information Systems Security
- Data Protection and International Regulation
SEC301HK - Information Security Management (University of Plymouth)
- Human Aspects and Security Culture
- Security Awareness and Training
IY5605 - Cyber Crime (Royal Holloway University of London)
- Transport Cyber Crime
Teaching in 2020/2021
LAW2220 - Cybercrime: Issues and Regulation (University of Plymouth)
- Principles of Cybersecurity
- Cyber Threats
- Social Engineering and Phishing
- The Dark Web and Open Source Intelligence
COMP5007 - Cyber-Physical Systems Security (University of Plymouth)
- Protection, Analysis, Law, Policy
CyberMAR - EU Horizon 2020 Project (833389)
- Level 1 - Attacks in Deep
- Level 1 - Mitigation and Remediation
- Level 1 - Managing Cyber Risk
IY5605 - Cyber Crime (Royal Holloway University of London)
- Transport Cyber Crime
Research
Research
Research interests
My research primarily focuses on the regulatory aspects of maritime cybersecurity. I am interested in understanding how the international community manage cyber threat, and create governance frameworks that help increase security. My current focus is on the skills and training needed by the digital seafarer. I enjoy adopting and inter-disciplinary approach to my work, and exploring new topics and themes, these include (but not limited to) maritime security, piracy, environmental protection, sustainability and critical infrastructure protection.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsHopcraft,R. Jones, K & Tam, K (2021), 'Suez Canal container ship accident is a worst-case scenario for global trade', The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/suez-canal-container-ship-accident-is-a-worst-case-scenario-for-global-trade-157802.
Hopcraft, R. & Martin, K. (2018), ‘Why 50,000 Ships Are So Vulnerable to Cyberattacks’,The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/why-50-000-ships-are-so-vulnerable\\-to-cyberattacks-98041.
Personal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
2023
- Improving Maritime Cybersecurity (IMarEST / RINA Western Joint Branch)
2021
- Improving Cyber Training: How Seafarers can Learn from Real Cyber Attacks (Digital Ship Webinar)
- Cryptography: Cracking the Code (Festival of Computing - Computing at School)
- Seafarer Digital Competencies (Maritime Cyber Tech and & Ops - Riviera Media)
- Maritime Cybersecurity Governance (The Know Show Podcast, Online)
2019
- Cybersecurity Governance: The Case for a Cyber Code (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway)
- Cyber Crime & Transport (Royal Holloway University of London)
2018
- Securing Maritime Cyberspace through Regulation (International Security Expo, London)
- A Pirates Bounty - A New Way to Look at Maritime Cyber Security Regulation? (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, Norway)
- Pirates, Polar Bears, Programs and Portholes (Royal Holloway University of London)