Autonomous Multi-Agent Cyber Defence at Scale: Detection, Coordination and Response

About the Project

Project Description

AI-driven cyber defence systems promise faster detection and response, but real deployments remain constrained by limited scalability and weak coordination across distributed environments. This PhD project will develop an autonomous multi-agent cyber defence framework that performs distributed monitoring, monitoring, coordinated decision-making and automated response at scale.

Aims and Methods

The research will (i) design a scalable multi-agent architecture for distributed monitoring and detection, where agents continuously observe local networks and exchange compact threat intelligence to form a shared situational picture; (ii) develop learning-based detection models using benchmark datasets and complementary simulated/operational traces, and (iii) explore Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) and related ML methods so that agents can collaborate to plan and execute coordinated defence actions, enabling a collective response to threats in real time. Targeting application domains include networked autonomous systems, IoT networks and ICS/CPS environments.

Deliverables (indicative)

Expected outputs include a prototype autonomous multi-agent defence platform, reproducible training/evaluation pipelines and benchmarking results, publishable methodological contributions, and (where appropriate) open-source artefacts and practitioner-oriented guidance for trustworthy deployment.

Keywords

Cybersecurity, Multi-agent systems; MARL; autonomous cyber defence; distributed monitoring; anomaly detection; intrusion detection; automated incident response; adversarial robustness; graph neural networks.

How to Apply

This project is accepting applications all year round, for self-funded candidates.

Mode of Study: Full-time or part-time

Please submit your application via Computer Science and Informatics - Study - Cardiff University

In the funding field of your application, indicate “I am applying for a self-funded PhD in Computer Science and Informatics”, and specify the project title and supervisors of this project in the text box provided.

Academic criteria: A 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or a master's degree, in computing or a related subject. Applicants with appropriate professional experience are also considered. Degree-level mathematics (or equivalent) is required for research in some project areas.

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency. Students who do not have English as a first language must prove this by obtaining an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each skills component. A full list of accepted qualifications is available here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/postgraduate

If you are interested, please contact Dr Tingting Li (lit29@cardiff.ac.uk) sending your CV in the first instance. The application process requires you to develop an individual research proposal jointly with the supervision team, which builds on the information provided in this advert.

Once you have developed the proposal with support from the supervisors, please submit your application following the instructions provided below.

Please submit your application via Computer Science and Informatics - Study - Cardiff University

In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information:

• In the ‘Research Proposal’ section of the application enter the name of the project you are applying to and upload your Individual research proposal. Your research proposal should not exceed 2000 words, including references and bibliography.
• A personal statement (as part of the university application form, or as a separate attachment, if you prefer).
• A CV. Guidance on CVs for a PhD position can be found on the FindAPhD website.
• Qualification certificates and Transcripts - original and English translation, if applicable.
• References x 2 which should be academic references. Please note you need to provide the reference documents as part of your application.
• Proof of English language (if applicable).

Interview– If the application meets all of the entrance requirements listed above, you will be invited to an interview.

Funding Notes

This project is offered for self-funded students only, or those with their own sponsorship or scholarship award. Where applicable, candidates will be required to cover the cost of a student visa, the healthcare surcharge, and any other costs of moving to the UK to study. These costs will not be covered by the School of Computer Science and Informatics.