Universities within the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) operate in increasingly complex digital environments, characterised by large-scale research data flows, globally distributed infrastructures, cloud-based services, and growing reliance on artificial intelligence and advanced digital systems. These developments have significantly expanded the cyber threat landscape facing leading research-intensive institutions, exposing them to heightened risks related to data breaches, service disruption, intellectual property loss, and reputational harm.

Recognising these shared challenges, the IARU Cybersecurity Working Group brings together senior information security leaders and experts from across member universities to exchange knowledge, align approaches, and collectively strengthen institutional and alliance-level cyber resilience. The group’s work over the current cycle has focused on understanding the security implications of emerging technologies, particularly AI, alongside core institutional concerns such as information security management systems (ISMS), cloud security, vulnerability management, data governance, and staff awareness and training.

The Cybersecurity Forum emerges at a moment when regulatory pressures, rapidly evolving threat vectors, and increased inter-institutional digital collaboration demand not only strong local controls, but also shared strategic thinking across global research universities. The forum provides a structured space for this engagement, building on ongoing virtual discussions and culminating in deeper in-person dialogue among IARU members.