Aura InfoSec & University of Waikato seek talent for new Aura Professor of Cyber Security role

Aura Information Security and the University of Waikato have created a brand new professorship role for those interested in identifying cyber threats and potentially catastrophic breaches – and they're seeking exceptional candidates to apply for the role.

The Aura Professor of Cyber Security will focus on risk assessment research and delivery, particularly in penetration testing, alongside Aura and the university.

According to the job advertisement, the role will suit 'an ambitious academic with an outstanding teaching and research record and a strong interest in engagement with the cyber security industry, as well as research and development leaders in the cyber security industry, who wishes to operate in an academic environment'.

Aura Information Security's general manager Peter Bailey says the company is excited to work more closely with the University of Waikato.

 "The constant cross-pollination of ideas between academic institutions and commercial business is essential to keep ahead of the rapidly evolving cyber security landscape. This is a unique opportunity to bring these two approaches together.

According to University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley, it is vital that academics work with industry to grow cybersecurity capability.

"Increasing the focus on the latest in risk assessment with a high-calibre appointment will contribute to the research and teaching already being done at Waikato, as well as changing the cyber landscape," Quigley comments.

The University of Waikato is renowned for its security research. It offers Masters Degrees in Cyber Security, Security and Crime Science. It also established the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science and plays a role in the joint Centre for Evidence Based Policing in Wellington.

Applications for the Aura Professor of Cyber Security close on March 23.

Ryan Ko, director of the University of Waikato's New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science, is heavily involved with Cyber Security Researchers of Waikato (CROW), New Zealand's first cybersecurity lab.

This week the University of Waikato also became New Zealand's first education provider to become (ISC)² certified.

"Our goal is to address the current skills shortage by allowing existing IT professionals to retrain as cybersecurity professionals through the internationally-renowned certifications such as the CISSP. This will enhance our ability to train future leaders in combating cybersecurity," comments Ryan Ko, director of the University of Waikato's New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science.

(ISC)² believes the partnership will help to curb the skills shortage and foster development of the country's cybersecurity talent.