
Profiles
Mr Rory Hopcraft
Industrial Researcher (Cybersecurity/AI)
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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 (ongoing) 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
Previous Positions:
- July 2019 - Sept 2019 -- Maritime Technology and Regulation Intern, BIMCO, Copenhagen, Denmark
- June 2019 -- Research Intern, International Maritime Organisation, London, UK
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 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
- Protection, Analysis, Law, Policy
CyberMAR - EU Horizon 2020 Project (833389)
- Level 1 - Attacks in Deep
- Level 1 - Mitigation and Remediation
IY5605 - Cyber Crime (Royal Holloway University of London)
- Transport Cyber Crime
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.
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsHopcraft, R. & Martin, K. (2018b), ‘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.
Reports & invited lectures
2021
- Improving Cyber Training: How Seafarers can Learn from Real Cyber Attacks (Digital Ship Webinar)
- 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)