The UK government has set aside up to £8m to help universities train the next generation of cyber security experts.

Successful applicants will be able to run one of two Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT), where postgraduates will be skilled in a variety of cyber security techniques.

The initiative is a joint effort from Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), GCHQ and the Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance (OCSIA).

The centres will be expected to train at least eight students a year for three years and, if the results are deemed impressive enough, the lifespace of each CDT may be extended, EPSRC said.

The CDTs will focus on two separate domains, EPSRC said. The first will focus on skills such as cryptography and key management as well as research into cloud and mobile security. The second domain is more focused on analysis and assessment of security threats.

"The centres will be required to address the broad range of issues involved in cyber security, from the technical to sociological. They will have to call on a wide range of expertise and deliver the multidisciplinary training we need to underpin the work of the UK’s next generation cyber security experts," said David Delpy, EPSRC’s Chief Executive.

The initiative is part of the government’s £650m National Cyber Security Programme. Minister for Cyber Security Francis Maude said academia has a "vital role" to play if the programme is to be a success.

"We have therefore committed significant investment to deliver the first two Centres of Doctoral Training in Cyber Security. We believe these centres will make an important contribution to further enhancing our world-class cyber security academic and research community here in the UK," he added.

"If the UK is to achieve its growth ambitions and maintain its reputation for world class capability in cyber security, it is vital that we look to discover, develop and nurture the UK’s next generation of doctoral-level cyber security experts," added David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Skills.

Earlier this week a group of MPs said the UK should be more proactive when it comes to cyber security. The Intelligence and Security Committee said the UK has plenty to gain by striking at opponents online before the launch an attack.The report described this as an "opportunity" that can be exploited by the UK’s intelligence and security agencies.