A University of Newcastle research project examining how cyber attackers think has secured more than $780,000 in national intelligence funding.

The three-year project received $783,409 through the Australian Government-funded National Intelligence Discovery Grant program, administered by the Office of National Intelligence.

Led by cognitive scientists Professor Scott Brown and Professor Ami Eidels, the research will investigate how cyber attackers make decisions and whether weaknesses in those thought processes can be used to disrupt cybercrime.

Rather than focusing solely on preventing or blocking digital attacks, the project will examine behavioural data to better understand the choices attackers make.

The researchers will develop mathematical models designed to identify, predict and potentially exploit cognitive biases that influence cybercriminal behaviour.

The project aims to produce a detailed theory of attacker decision-making that can generate practical predictions for cybersecurity and national security agencies.

The findings could support new methods of disrupting cyber threats and strengthening the protection of critical systems across Australia.

The project will also provide training opportunities for emerging researchers in advanced cognitive and mathematical modelling methods.

It is expected to strengthen collaboration between the University of Newcastle and national security agencies while building local expertise in an increasingly important field.

The funding forms part of a national program supporting research that could contribute to Australia’s intelligence and security capabilities.

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