Professor Fred Piper sadly passed away on Monday 11th of March. Fred died of a rare neurological condition, called PSP, which impacted him for a number of years.

PSPA, which is the only charity in the UK supporting those with PSP, is making an urgent call for more research to be done into this brutal disease through their Research Appeal.

Fred made a vast and unparalleled contribution to the development of the information security profession and community. 

He was the founding director of the Information Security Group [ISG] at Royal Holloway, which was the first university group established to focus on information security in the UK. In 1998 the ISG was deservedly awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of its work in the field of information security and Professor Piper was the inspiration and driver of that success.

He was there in 2006 as one of the founding fathers of the IISP (Institute of Information Security Professionals) as it was then, incorporating and the establishing the standards and processes needed to become a fully-fledged and respected organisation. He was awarded the first Fellowship as a member of CIISec in 2016 and the first honorary Fellow in 2021. The Fred Piper Award was established by CIISec to recognise the Best Student Project in his honour.

He was a trustee at Bletchley Park for over a decade, and considered his role in helping to save Bletchley Park one of his proudest achievements. 

Above all, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed.

In honour and celebration of Fred’s incredible achievements throughout his life, please join us in supporting the PSPA Research Appeal.  This seeks to improve diagnosis, ensure continuous standards of care, and launch trails into delaying degeneration, and improving life expectancy. Fred had shown symptoms of this condition for a number of years before a diagnosis was made, and had been incorrectly diagnosed initially.
 
You can find out more information via the PSPA website; or contact Helen, at understood@pspassociation.org.uk
 
Thank you for your support.