Published: Tue 15 Oct 2019
The University of Suffolk today (15 October 2019) honoured IWF Deputy CEO & CTO Fred Langford with an Honorary Doctorate at the University graduation ceremony.
The university's annual honorary awards recognise notable contributions to the educational or cultural sectors, in business, for academic distinction or for public service.
Fred was born and raised in Suffolk and will be recognised with an Honorary Doctorate for his work at the Internet Watch Foundation, a partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre, for over 15 years and for his leading role fighting online child sexual abuse images and videos worldwide.
The University of Suffolk announcement recognised Fred for “becoming an internationally respected authority on cybersecurity, internet policy, child protection, online crime prevention and effective regulation.”
Fred serves on a number of boards including the Video Standards Council, the Commonwealth Cybercrime Initiative, and for the National Crime Agency, Interpol and the Home Office. Fred was a founding director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, is president of INHOPE, and a former Trustee of the Marie Collins Foundation.
Dr Fred Langford, said: "I have worked for many years to protect the victims of online child sexual abuse and now have the opportunity to share what I've learned around the world to help others from many sectors, cultures and countries to develop their own responses to this horrendous crime.
"It is a privilege to have my work acknowledged in this way, especially from the University of Suffolk."
Seven personalities working in the arts, sciences and charity sectors will receive honorary awards at the university’s ceremonies including internationally-acclaimed performers, local business leaders and one of the founding fathers of the UK games industry.
For more information about the important work the IWF do eliminating child sexual abuse imagery online, please visit www.iwf.org.uk.
The IWF is part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, working with Childnet International and the South West Grid for Learning to promote the safe and responsible use of technology.
The IWF is calling for greater clarity on online harms as MPs warn new online safety legislation needs to be made more robust to help keep children safe online.
The IWF is urging parents and carers to spot the dangers as a new Government-backed campaign aims to boost child safety.
The IWF partners with the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) to establish a joint Reporting Portal that allows anyone, anywhere to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online.