Denmark is one of the most digitalised countries in the world.

We manage our finances, hospitals, production systems and public services through digital technologies. This creates enormous opportunities, but also new vulnerabilities.

At the same time, both companies and public authorities face a growing shortage of specialists capable of securing these systems.

This is where cybersecurity becomes essential. And it is exactly this challenge Jens Myrup Pedersen aims to address as he joins the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Aarhus University as professor on 1 May.

“One of the biggest gaps in tackling cyber threats is skills. Universities play a crucial role because we educate the talent that will go out and make Denmark more secure,” he says.

A key competitive advantage

Cybersecurity is not just about technology. It is about people and knowledge.

Universities develop new ways to protect digital systems, but just as importantly, they educate the specialists that businesses, public institutions and defence organisations increasingly depend on.

“Our greatest impact as universities is actually through the students we educate. They take their knowledge into companies and organisations and help strengthen cybersecurity across society,” says Jens Myrup Pedersen.

He also sees cybersecurity as an opportunity and not just a risk.

“We often talk about cyber threats as something we need to defend against. But cybersecurity can also be a strength. Denmark is known for quality and trust. If our products are also secure, that can become a strong competitive advantage internationally.”

Aarhus strengthens its cybersecurity efforts

Jens Myrup Pedersen joins Aarhus University at a time when both the university and the surrounding region are investing heavily in cybersecurity.

The university has committed DKK 300 million to research, education and innovation in the field. A central part of this initiative is AU Cyber, a research centre designed to bring together researchers, industry partners and public authorities.

At the same time, Aarhus University collaborates closely with the innovation ecosystem at Katrinebjerg, where companies, organisations and public actors work together to strengthen Denmark’s digital security.

“There is a strong ambition around cybersecurity both at Aarhus University and in the surrounding ecosystem. You have companies, organisations and authorities working together, and that makes it an incredibly exciting place to be,” he says.

At the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, researchers work on securing complex digital systems and networks, from small embedded devices to global infrastructures such as the internet.

Educating the next generation of cyber engineers

The growing demand for cybersecurity specialists is also reflected in Aarhus University’s degree programmes.

Engineering students can now specialise in cybersecurity as part of their education. These future cyber engineers will learn how to protect IT systems, networks and data from attacks and how to design robust solutions for an increasingly digital society.

“We have digitalised our society very quickly. That also means cybersecurity will play a much bigger role in the future than it has in the past,” says Jens Myrup Pedersen.

Thinking like a hacker

Jens Myrup Pedersen holds a Master’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Aalborg University and later earned a PhD in computer networks.

His interest in cybersecurity emerged almost by coincidence. While working with network traffic analysis, he began exploring whether the same methods could be used to detect malicious activity.

The project grew and became the foundation of his research career in cybersecurity.

Today, his work focuses on areas such as network security, and since 2021 he has also served as head coach of the Danish national cyber team.

For him, cybersecurity is not only about technical expertise - it is also about creativity.

“Cybersecurity is very much about thinking like a hacker. It’s about figuring out how to make systems do things they were never intended to do. That kind of creativity reminds me of when I was a child experimenting with computers,” he says.

“It really sparked something in me. At some point I realised: imagine being able to work with something that is actually this fun.”

When Jens Myrup Pedersen takes up his professorship at Aarhus University on 1 May, he will contribute to strengthening both research and education in cybersecurity and to expanding collaboration between the university, industry and public authorities to make Denmark more digitally resilient.

Kontakt

Jesper Bruun
Journalist
Mail: bruun@au.dk
Tlf.: 42404140