Dr Rory Hopcraft
Profiles

Dr Rory Hopcraft

Lecturer in Cyber Security

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Biography

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Cyber Security and research within Cyber-SHIP Lab 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 develop of 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 European Workshop on Maritime Systems Resilience and Security (MARESEC 2022, 2023) - organized 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 2022/2023

COMP3009/COMP5006 - Information Security Management & Governance (University of Plymouth)

  • Introduction to Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Information Systems Security
  • Data Protection and International Regulation

COMP5007 - Cyber-Physical Systems Security (University of Plymouth)

  • Protection, Analysis, Law, Policy

IY5605 - Cyber Crime (Royal Holloway University of London)

  • Transport Cyber Crime

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

Journals
Articles
Erstad E, Hopcraft R, Palbar JD & Tam K (2023) 'CERP: A Maritime Cyber Risk Decision Making Tool' TransNav: International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation 17, (2) , DOI Open access
Erstad E, Hopcraft R, Vineetha Harish A & Tam K (2023) 'A human-centred design approach for the development and conducting of maritime cyber resilience training' WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs , DOI Open access
Hopcraft R, Vineetha Harish A, Tam K & Jones K (2023) 'Raising the Standard of Maritime Voyage Data Recorder Security' Journal of Marine Science and Engineering , DOI Open access
Tam K, Chang B, Hopcraft R, Moara-Nkwe K & Jones K (2023) 'Quantifying the econometric loss of a cyber-physical attack on a seaport' Frontiers in Computer Science 4, , DOI Open access
Hopcraft R, Tam K, Dorje Palbar Misas J, Moara-Nkwe K & Jones K (2022) 'Developing a maritime cyber safety culture: Improving safety of operations' Maritime Technology and Research 5, (1) 258750-258750 , DOI Open access
Tam K, Hopcraft R, Moara-Nkwe K, Misas JP, Andrews W, Harish AV, Giménez P, Crichton T & Jones K (2021) 'Case Study of a Cyber-Physical Attack Affecting Port and Ship Operational Safety' Journal of Transportation Technologies 12, 1-27 , DOI Open access
Hopcraft R (2021) 'Developing Maritime Digital Competencies' IEEE Communications Standards Magazine 5, (3) 12-18 , DOI Open access
Tam K, Hopcraft R, Crichton T & Jones K (2021) 'The potential mental health effects of remote control in an autonomous maritime world' Journal of International Maritime Safety, Environmental Affairs, and Shipping 5, (2) 51-66 , DOI Open access
Hopcraft R & Martin KM (2018) 'Effective maritime cybersecurity regulation – the case for a cyber code' Journal of the Indian Ocean Region 14, (3) 354-366 , DOI Open access
Scanlan J, Hopcraft R, Cowburn R, Trovåg JM & Lützhöft M 'Maritime Education for a Digital Industry' NECESSE 23-33 Publisher Site Open access
Chapters
He H, Ertan A, Hopcraft R, Naeem Akram R & Mansor H (2022) 'Autonomous vehicles - cybersecurity and privacy challenges and opportunities' Cybersecurity in Transport Systems Institution of Engineering and Technology 337-375 , DOI
Hird J, Hopcraft R, Helienek A & Thomas P (2022) 'Modernisation in transport' Cybersecurity in Transport Systems Institution of Engineering and Technology 1-38 , DOI
Hird J, Hopcraft R & Rose C (2022) 'Navigating the transport system security landscape: threats, responses and governance' Cybersecurity in Transport Systems Institution of Engineering and Technology 39-110 , DOI
Conference Papers
Palbar Misas JD, Hopcraft R & Tam K (2022) 'Future of Maritime Autonomy: Cybersecurity, Trust and Mariner's Situation Awareness' International Ship Control Systems Symposium 2022 , DOI Open access
Hopcraft R, Vineetha Harish A, Tam K & Jones KD (2022) 'Raising the Standard of Maritime Voyage Data Recorder Security' CyberSHIP Annual Symposium 2022 0-/-1/20220-/-1/2022Open access
Canepa M, Hopcraft R, Karamperidis S & Ballini F (2022) 'Cyber-MAR dynamic Awareness Raising – An Integrated Maritime Cyber Risk Management Approach' International Association of Maritime Economists
Hopcraft R, Canepa M, Karamperidis S & Ballini F (2021) 'Cyber Awareness Raising and Training – An Integrated Maritime Cyber Risk Management Approach' International Association of Maritime Economists 2021 1-/-1/20211-/-1/2021Publisher Site Open access
Hopcraft R, Tam K, Moara_Nkwe K & Jones K (2021) 'The Development of a Cyber Safety Culture' ErgoSHIP 2021 9-/-0/20219-/-0/2021100-110 Publisher Site Open access
Hopcraft R, Tam K, Moara-Nkwe K & Jones K (2021) 'Enhanced Transparency: Improving Maritime Cyber Governance' MARESEC 2021 6-/-0/20216-/-0/2021Publisher Site Open access
Hopcraft R (2019) 'The Importance of Information Sharing in the Creation and Enforcement of Maritime Cybersecurity Regulation' 3rd NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre Conference on Cyber Security in Maritime Domain 4-/-0/20194-/-0/2019Open access
Berner G, Hopcraft R, Scanlan J, Lutzhoft M & Earthy J (2018) 'A virtual teams model for supporting maritime technology management' Royal Institution of Naval Architects Human Factors Conference 9-/-0/20189-/-0/2018Open access
Other Publications

Hopcraft,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

Hopcraft R & Martin K Why 50,000 ships are so vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Conversation
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

2023

  • Improving Maritime Cybersecurity (IMarEST / RINA Western Joint Branch Seminar)
  • Practical Applications of Navigation Data Security and Resilience (South West Cyber Security Cluster Annual Conference)
  • Improving Maritime Cybersecurity (Chevening Fellowship Lecture)
  • What Do We Need To Know: (Maritime) Digital Skills (South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster)
2022
  • Improving Maritime Digital Skills (All Party Parliamentary Group on Cyber Security)
  • Improving Maritime Digital Skills (International Cyber Security Centre of Excellence)

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)
2020

  • 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)