Technology companies are welcoming a government backed body launched today to help create the new digital society. The Digital Systems Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) has been set up by the Technology Strategy Board to bring together business, academia, and government to drive technology innovation and create wealth for the UK.
The Digital Systems KTN - managed by the National Physical Laboratory, Intellect and QinetiQ - is led by experts in distributed computing, cyber security and satellite navigation. The KTN will create links between organisations to address technology issues such as intelligent transport, cloud computing, smart metering and mobile data access. It will stimulate knowledge sharing and break down business walls that prevent advances in technology. For example it could put academics carrying out the latest research on GPS services in touch with product developers and companies who know how to assure these services are provided in a scalable and secure way on the internet.
The growth in mobile computing, processing power, networking technologies, location-based systems, and internet services is offering us new ways to work, access essential services, socialise, and build relationships.
Better access to information means more potential threats to data security and personal privacy. There is a fine balance between using new technology to make our lives easier, and ensuring this is done with appropriate confidentiality and integrity of information.
"A successful digital society marries the need to access data on the move with a secure and scalable approach to gathering, processing, and using that information," says Ian Osborne, Director of the Digital Systems KTN. "We will create opportunities to innovate in this field by bringing people together – for example there are many academics making exciting breakthroughs in new tech who don't have the contacts to make them a reality or innovators who need to be connected to funders."
Big hitters from UK business have already welcomed the creation of the new KTN. Dr Mike Short, Vice President, Telefonica Europe/O2 believes it will be a critical resource.
"In a connected world of voice and data we need to focus on pragmatic and secure solutions and digital systems. We need a confluence of skills to make this digital society work effectively across sectors. The Digital Systems KTN will be a key space for sharing knowledge and ideas that will put new innovation into practice."
The Digital Systems Knowledge Transfer Network will host conferences and online meetings, provide members with guidance on funding sources and allow them influence on future policy decisions.
The Digital Systems KTN builds on the success of three existing knowledge transfer networks – Grid Computing Now!, Cyber Security, and Location and Timing – which have come together to form the new network.
Combining innovation and knowledge transfer in these areas creates a critical resource for a converged world where services are accessed anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Notes to Editors
The Digital Systems KTN is managed by Intellect, QinetiQ, and the National Physical Laboratory, who are jointly responsible for programmes of work in scalable computing (Ian Osborne), cyber security (Tony Dyhouse) and location and timing technologies (Bob Cockshott) respectively.
The New KTN will:
- Host events, conferences, and online meetings for its members to bring together researchers, suppliers and users to help members identify and engage with the right people, ideas, and applications.
- Give members guidance on how to identify and successfully secure UK, European and international funding. This may include finding relevant partners, support for bid development, and support for making new contacts across the industry sectors represented by the KTN team.
- Give members the opportunity to influence future policy decisions through the KTN's close links to the policymaking community.
About The Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org.