Sheffield Hallam’s Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency

Press contact: Greg Mattocks-Evans | g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk

Sheffield Hallam’s Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency.

It formalises an already well-established partnership which has seen the University and Europol colloborate on a number of projects, including the launch of CRYPTOPOL in October 2019.

Developed and co-created by CENTRIC and Europol, CRYPTOPOL simulates a cryptocurrency investigation giving law enforcement hands-on practice using real-life scenarios.

The game is available to all law enforcement cryptocurrency investigators around the world who can request access to the game from Europol.

More recently, CENTRIC worked with Europol in developing the Security Research Rapid Response to Covid-19 platform – providing knowledge and resources securely for public authorities, blue light services and researchers worldwide in their response to the pandemic.

Babak Akhgar, Director of CENTRIC, said: “I am delighted to formalise the relationship between CENTRIC and Europol. 

“This builds on years of collaboration in cybercrime, serious and organised crime and counter-terrorism and is a milestone in our joint endeavour to bring research and innovation into operational reality in support of law enforcement agencies.

Director of CENTRIC, Babak Akhgar and Fernando Ruiz, Acting Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre.

“I am looking forward to us delivering positive impact in the fight against crime and terrorism in the years to come.’

Fernando Ruiz, Acting Head of Europol's European Cybercrime Centre, said: “The signature of this Memorandum of Understanding with CENTRIC consolidates an existing long-standing partnership. 

“Pioneering projects such as CRYPTOPOL and our collaboration on a number of research projects already demonstrate the added value of this alliance. We are confident that this is just the beginning and we look forward to continuing our successful cooperation.”

For press information: Greg Mattocks-Evans in the Sheffield Hallam University press office email g.mattocks-evans@shu.ac.uk.