Eerke Boiten

Eerke Boiten is Professor of Cyber Security and Head of the School of Computer Science and Informatics at De Montfort University (DMU), where he also leads the Cyber Technology Institute (CTI). He previously served as Director of the Research Centre in Cyber Security at the University of Kent from 2012 to 2017 and has been a senior academic since 1995. His work bridges formal methods, cybersecurity, and privacy, with significant contributions to refinement in Z and Object-Z, and current research in anonymisation, privacy impact assessment, and AI ethics.

• Full Name: Eerke Boiten
• Institution: De Montfort University
• School: School of Computer Science and Informatics
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Email: eerke.boiten@dmu.ac.uk

Boiten's research interests are centered on ensuring software correctness and data privacy. He began his career in formal methods, publishing extensively on refinement, program transformation, and state-based systems. His later work shifted toward cybersecurity and privacy, with current projects including privacy-preserving unified communication, synthetic data trade-offs, and cyber intelligence sharing under GDPR. He is particularly interested in the societal implications of computing, especially in health data governance and AI policy.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in privacy and security, particularly in communication systems, data anonymisation, and regulatory compliance. His work increasingly focuses on real-world applications, such as smart toilets and NHS data sharing, reflecting a commitment to socially responsible computing. He also critically engages with emerging technologies like blockchain and large language models, emphasizing technical realism over hype.

Boiten has received significant external funding from EPSRC, Alan Turing Institute, EU H2020, and InnovateUK for projects on ransomware, synthetic data, and railway cybersecurity. He has supervised PhD students and served as a principal investigator on multiple grants. His leadership roles include chairing the BCS-FACS Refinement Workshop and serving on EPSRC and NWO grant panels.

He is actively involved in public discourse, having authored over 39 articles for The Conversation on topics like NHS data sharing, AI regulation, and online age verification. His media engagement underscores his role as a public intellectual in cybersecurity and data ethics.

Boiten leads the Cyber Technology Institute, which held NCSC/EPSRC Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research status (2019–2023) and NCSC Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (Gold) status since 2021. He also contributes to professional organizations including BCS and the Higher Education Academy.