After graduating from King’s College, Cambridge, in 1972, Clifford Cocks conducted research in number theory at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. He subsequently served as a mathematician for the UK government for more than 35 years. In 2009, he became an independent consultant and Visiting Fellow at the University of Bristol.

Clifford’s research highlights comprise his 1973 discovery of a practical method of public-key encryption. This was followed, in 1998, by his discovery of identity-based encryption.

His honours and awards include the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 2009 and the IEEE Milestone Award in 2010. He has received honorary doctorates from the universities of Bristol, East Anglia and Birmingham. In 2014, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.