Cyber security tool to address blind spot in car and machine electronics

A new cyber security tool which aims to address a critical security blind spot for electronics in cars, factories and power grids has been showcased at the Government’s flagship CYBER UK event.

FORENSIC, developed by a team of researchers from the University of Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, featured in CYBERUK’s SME Innovation Zone after being shortlisted for the event by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The tool was also pitched in the prestigious National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Den competition which featured a panel of experts from the NCSC and industry. FORENSIC acts as security for embedded systems that control essential functions in our everyday lives.

It continuously monitors the core processor – the 'brain' of the system – using advanced AI to detect any unusual or anomalous execution behaviour.

This can indicate a cyberattack or a critical malfunction, even if traditional software-based security measures miss it.

CYBERUK is hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre and brings together more than 2,000 cyber security leaders and professionals.

Dr Sangeet Saha, project lead for FORENSIC, said: “Being selected to participate in the NCSC Cyber Den at CYBERUK 2025 was a tremendous honour and a significant form of recognition for our research.

“It confirms that the problem we're tackling is seen as critical and that our proposed solution is considered innovative and viable by key figures in the UK cybersecurity ecosystem.

“The judges and audience members asked insightful questions, showing a clear understanding of the problem we're addressing and a genuine interest in our innovative hardware-based, AI-driven approach.

“Many people seemed to grasp the 'painkiller' aspect of Forensic – that it solves a critical security blind spot for systems where traditional software security isn't enough. The demonstration of FORENSIC really helped bring its capabilities to life, and we were thrilled with the positive feedback on the novelty and potential impact of our solution.”

The Forensic team features Essex experts cutting across research groups, and also includes co-leads Professor Klaus McDonald Maier and Dr Xiaojun Zhai, and researcher Michal Borowski.

The researchers plan to conduct in-depth trials with industry partners before licensing FORENSIC as hardware IP to chipset manufacturers and platform integrators.

Dr Saha added: “Ultimately, we want FORENSIC to become a trusted 'Safety Belt' for the critical embedded systems that underpin so much of our modern world.”