One of the world’s leading automotive cybersecurity engineers has joined Swansea University’s Department of Computer Science as part of the Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professors Scheme for 2024/25.
For the next three years, Paul Wooderson, Chief Engineer for Cybersecurity at HORIBA MIRA, will be taking on the role of Visiting Professor in Automotive Cybersecurity and Resilience.
The Visiting Professors Scheme is an industry-into-academia initiative which enables experienced industrial engineers and entrepreneurs to help ensure curriculums accurately reflect the demands of modern industry, increasing graduate employability.
Paul will help train a new generation of cybersecurity experts studying at the University, enriching and influencing its computer science programmes while further strengthening Swansea’s external partnerships with industry.
Paul is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years of experience in embedded and cyber-physical systems security in the automotive and previously smartcard domains.
Leading the technical delivery and development of HORIBA MIRA’s cybersecurity engineering, testing, and assurance solutions, Paul is a UK expert to the international working groups developing automotive cybersecurity standards and regulations.
Beyond extensive research and consulting practice, he has delivered training on automotive cybersecurity, extensively addressing a key area of skills for the automotive industry.
He has played a lead role in several UK government-funded collaborative research projects and has several publications on cybersecurity engineering. Paul is also a member of the UK Department for Transport College of Experts.
On his new role at Swansea University, Paul said: “With cybersecurity now an important part of the engineering process, our engineers of the future need to be equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills. As a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor, I am looking forward to helping address this need by inspiring students and informing future course content with real-world insights into automotive cybersecurity industry practice.”
Professor Siraj Shaikh will be the Academic Champion for this Visiting Professorship, hosting Paul within the Department, having been active collaborators on various initiatives over the past decade.
Professor Shaikh, who leads the Systems Security Group within the Department of Computer Science, said: "We are delighted to welcome Paul to Swansea University. His contribution to specific teaching areas will enrich student experience and understanding of cybersecurity problems in a range of industries across automotive, electronics and communication, embedded software systems, and risk and security assurance."