Deakin-Coventry Cotutelle - Distributed multilateral trust model for cellular networks

Location

Deakin Geelong Campus (Australia) and Coventry University (United Kingdom)

Research topic

This is a doctoral cotutelle project between Deakin University (Australia) and Coventry University (United Kingdom).

The successful PhD Student will be awarded a scholarship from Deakin University with the supervision team being drawn from Deakin University and Coventry University. The PhD Student will graduate with two testamurs, one from Deakin University and one from Coventry University, each of which recognises that the program was carried out as part of a jointly supervised doctoral program. The program is for a duration of 4 years and scheduled to commence in September 2024.

The PhD Student is anticipated to spend at least 6 months of the total period of the program at Coventry University, with the remainder of the program based at Deakin University.

The topic addressed in this research is a distributed multilateral trust model for 5G/6G networks. Trustworthiness will be one of the core elements of these networks, and thus the 5G/6G network architecture must have in-built end-to-end trustworthiness to enhance their resilience, safety, and reliability to potential cyber-attacks. Furthermore, since we will need to put far more trust in the network than we do today, solving the challenge of trust will be one of the keys unlocking the full value potential of 5G/6G networks in supporting many emerging sectors e.g., connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs).

Project aim

This project aims to develop a distributed multilateral trust model for 5G/6G networks that is customizable, provable, and measurable. Given that 5G/6G networks could be potentially controlled by many operators using different management architectures, their security requirements cannot be met by the standard security trust architecture, which frequently relies on the security perimeter at network boundaries. Collaboration among different control domains using different management modes is critical for 5G/6G security architectures. This necessitates the provision of a multi-party and cross-domain trust system capable of supporting the coexistence of multiple trust models.

Important dates

Applications close 5pm, Monday 29 April 2024

Benefits

This scholarship is supported by Deakin University, is available over 3 years and includes:

Stipend of $34,400 per annum tax exempt (2024 rate)
Relocation allowance of $500-1500 (for single to family) for students moving from interstate
International students only: Single Overseas Student Health Cover policy for the duration of the student visa
Full tuition fee waiver for up to 4 years
Funding to support travel of PhD Student between Deakin University and Coventry University.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must:

be either a domestic or international candidate. Domestic includes candidates with Australian Citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship.
meet the PhD entry requirements of both Deakin University and Coventry university, including English language proficiency requirements
be enrolling full time
be able to physically locate to both Coventry University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia)

Please refer to the research degree entry pathways page and Coventry’s research entry criteria page for further information.

How to apply

Applicants should firstly contact Prof. Jemal Abawajy to discuss the project. After discussing your application with the Deakin Supervisor, you will be required to submit an Expression of interest directly with the relevant Faculty.
If successful, you will be invited by Deakin University to lodge a formal HDR application.
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The successful applicant will also be required to lodge a separate PhD application to Coventry University via the Coventry University application page.

Please be aware that screening for this advert will commence immediately and the scholarship may be awarded prior to the closing date.