Meterian and Henley researchers tackle growing cyber risk landscape through student work placement partnership

Reliance on open source software to underpin critical technology infrastructure and applications is growing rapidly. But known vulnerabilities also make it an open target for exploitation through cyberattacks. The impact of such attacks can be devastating for businesses – operationally, reputationally and financially. But they are avoidable.

To understand the extent of the problem and support businesses to control the risk, Meterian is undertaking a research project headed up by Dr. Alfonso Dufour and Prof. Simone Varotto, and supported by work placement MSc student Arianna Gasparotto from Henley Business School. The project aims to take a broad, data-driven perspective, combining academic insights, industry trends, and metrics to understand the impact of open source software risks and the potential financial fallout. A variety of vulnerability analysis tools will be used to perform empirical analysis and create a vulnerability index.

“Cyberattacks are not just an IT issue – they hit businesses’ bottom line, and they are happening too often. This is an opportunity to take a step back to basics and see what new perspectives we can gain,” says Vivian Dufour, CEO of Meterian.

The project, which started in June, will take place over 11 weeks. Key milestones during the project include a literature review of cybersecurity risks and an overview of vulnerabilities and their potential financial impact. During the course of the project, Meterian’s scanning tools will take centre stage to measure risk and provide actionable reports and remediation.

“Building cyber resilience isn’t just about stopping threats – it’s about preparing the next generation to outsmart them. Together with Henley, we’re shaping future defenders to create positive impact and lasting change,” adds Vivian.

Commenting on the placement so far, Arianna says, “I began with the aim of applying what Henley has taught me, particularly in data analysis and report writing, to a real-world context. Meterian has given me a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of cybersecurity – a constantly evolving field. It has also provided technical insights into how to evaluate vulnerabilities effectively.”

“This collaboration highlights an area that deserves far more attention. Awareness of cybersecurity issues remains well below what’s needed, both from an operational and financial perspective, in our increasingly digital world. While there’s growing enthusiasm for online accessibility, many businesses still neglect the importance of protection, exposing themselves to a range of risks that are often ignored,” she adds.

To find out more about the project and Henley’s work with industry partners, get in touch at pr@henley.ac.uk.