Saeed Banaeian Far | Cybersecurity | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Saeed Banaeian Far | Cybersecurity | Best Scholar Award

Prof. Dr. Saeed Banaeian Far | Blockchain and Metaverse research lab | Iran

Prof. Dr. Saeed Banaeian Far is a leading researcher in the areas of Metaverse technologies, blockchain, and digital identity management, with a strong focus on the integration of emerging digital ecosystems into real-world applications. His research extensively explores the challenges and opportunities presented by the next generation of virtual and visual communication systems, including user interfaces, security, and privacy in Metaverse environments. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of Digital Twins in Metaverse applications, addressing both technical and user-centric perspectives. In addition, his work on blockchain technologies and decentralized finance highlights the transformative potential of distributed systems for digital businesses, providing insights into how these technologies can shape future economic and social interactions. Prof. Banaeian Far has also extensively investigated Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and their applications, including NFT-based identity management, offering frameworks for secure and efficient digital identity verification in virtual environments. His publications, appearing in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Network and Computer Applications, Procedia Computer Science, and SN Applied Sciences, demonstrate both depth and interdisciplinary reach, spanning computer science, data science, and network applications. With multiple high-citation works, his research has had a measurable impact on academic and industrial domains, driving innovation in digital ecosystems, virtual communications, and decentralized technologies. Overall, his scholarly contributions provide foundational knowledge and practical solutions that advance the development and adoption of Metaverse technologies and associated digital infrastructures.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Banaeian Far, S., & Imani Rad, A. (2022). Applying Digital Twins in Metaverse: User interface, security and privacy challenges. Journal of Metaverse, 2(1), 8–16.

Banaeian Far, S., Imani Rad, A., & Rajabzadeh Asaar, M. (2023). Blockchain and its derived technologies shape the future generation of digital businesses: A focus on decentralized finance and the Metaverse. Data Science and Management, 6(3), 183–197.

Banaeian Far, S., Imani Rad, A., Hosseini Bamakan, S. M., & others. (2023). Toward Metaverse of everything: Opportunities, challenges, and future directions of the next generation of visual/virtual communications. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 103675.

Banaeian Far, S., Hosseini Bamakan, S. M., Qu, Q., & Jiang, Q. (2022). A review of Non-fungible Tokens applications in the real-world and Metaverse. Procedia Computer Science, 214, 755–762.

Banaeian Far, S., & Hosseini Bamakan, S. M. (2023). NFT-based identity management in metaverses: Challenges and opportunities. SN Applied Sciences, 5(10), 260.

Mr. Sangwon Lee | cybersecurity | Best Researcher Award

Sangwon Lee | cybersecurity | Best Researcher Award

Sangwon Lee, Hoseo University, South Korea

Sangwon Lee is a passionate researcher in the field of cybersecurity 🔐 and artificial intelligence 🤖. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Hoseo University, South Korea 🇰🇷, in 2025. Currently, she is pursuing her Master’s in Information Security 🧠 at the same institution. Her research interests focus on AI security, physical security, and hardware-based security threats like clock glitch fault attacks ⏱️⚡. Sangwon is dedicated to advancing secure AI systems by identifying vulnerabilities and developing countermeasures. She is keen on blending academic insights with practical hardware testing to address real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Professional profile :

Orcid

Suitability for Best Researcher Award :

Sangwon Lee demonstrates exceptional promise as a young researcher by combining academic rigor with hands-on practical experimentation. Her deep focus on AI security and hardware-based threats, such as clock glitch fault attacks, highlights her commitment to tackling real-world vulnerabilities in next-generation computing systems. Her research embodies the spirit of innovation, curiosity, and relevance that aligns with the goals of the Best Researcher Award.

Education & Experience :

  • 📘 B.E. in Computer Engineering, Hoseo University, Republic of Korea (2025)

  • 🎓 M.S. in Information Security (ongoing), Hoseo University

  • 🔍 Researcher in AI & Hardware Security, focusing on fault injection and physical attack resistance

Professional Development :

Sangwon Lee is actively engaged in advanced studies in information security at Hoseo University 🏫. She continuously enhances her skills in cybersecurity 🧩 through hands-on research involving deep neural networks and fault attacks. As part of her academic journey, she explores real-world attack models such as clock glitching and implements robust countermeasures 🛡️. She regularly collaborates with fellow researchers and participates in seminars and workshops to stay updated on the latest developments in AI and hardware security 🔬. Her commitment to learning and innovation positions her as a promising figure in the cybersecurity and AI safety landscape 🌐.

Research Focus Area :

Sangwon Lee’s research is centered around the intersection of AI security 🤖 and hardware security 🛠️. Her primary focus involves studying vulnerabilities in deep neural networks exposed to physical fault injection techniques such as clock glitch attacks ⏱️⚡. She investigates how adversaries can exploit hardware-level weaknesses to manipulate AI system behavior and explores effective countermeasures. Her work aims to ensure robustness and trustworthiness in AI applications by integrating secure design principles and fault-resistant architectures 🔐. This cross-disciplinary approach connects machine learning with embedded system security, contributing significantly to the future of secure intelligent technologies 🔄🔍.

Awards and Honors :

  • 🎖️ Selected for Graduate Research Program in Information Security at Hoseo University

  • 🥇 Recognized for excellence in undergraduate thesis on AI & Security Integration

  • 📜 Commended for contribution to AI fault attack simulations in academic symposiums

Publication Top Notes : 

The publication you’re referring to is titled “Clock Glitch-based Fault Injection Attack on Deep Neural Network”, authored by Hyoju Kang, Seongwoo Hong, Youngju Lee, and Jeacheol Ha from Hoseo University. It was published in 2024 in the Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology, Volume 34, Issue 5, pages 855–863. The paper investigates the impact of clock glitch-induced fault injections on deep neural networks (DNNs), particularly focusing on the forward propagation process and the softmax activation function. Using the MNIST dataset, the study demonstrates that injecting faults via clock glitches can lead to deterministic misclassifications, depending on system parameters. This research highlights the vulnerability of DNNs to hardware-level fault injections and underscores the need for robust countermeasures.

Citation:

Kang, H., Hong, S., Lee, Y., & Ha, J. (2024). Clock Glitch-based Fault Injection Attack on Deep Neural Network. Journal of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology, 34(5), 855–863. https://doi.org/10.13089/JKIISC.2024.34.5.855

Conclusion:

Sangwon Lee stands out as a proactive and visionary researcher whose work addresses the pressing security challenges in AI-driven technologies. Her commitment to building resilient, secure systems through both academic inquiry and practical experimentation makes her a highly deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shankar Karuppayah | Cybersecurity | Best Researcher Award

Shankar Karuppayah | Cybersecurity | Best Researcher Award

Shankar Karuppayah, Cybersecurity Research Centre, Malaysia

Shankar Karuppayah 👨‍💻 is a distinguished Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES), Universiti Sains Malaysia 🇲🇾. His academic journey includes a PhD in Cyber Security from Technische Universität Darmstadt 🇩🇪, focusing on advanced P2P botnet monitoring 🕵️. Shankar’s professional experience spans roles as Senior Lecturer at NAv6, Area Head and Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Darmstadt 🇩🇪. He actively contributes to the cybersecurity community as Co-Chair of APAN’s Security Working Group 🌐 and Deputy Head of MyREN’s Internet Security Working Group 🇲🇾. His dedication to research and industry collaboration makes him a valuable asset in the field 🚀.

Professional profile :

Google Scholar

Summary of Suitability :

Shankar demonstrates a compelling profile as a researcher with a strong academic foundation, significant contributions to the field of cybersecurity and P2P networks, active engagement in the research community, and a commitment to knowledge dissemination and practical application. His international experience, leadership role, and dedication to bridging academia and industry further strengthen his suitability for such an award.

Strengths:
    • Strong Academic Foundation and Expertise: Holding a PhD in Cyber Security from a reputable international institution (Technische Universität Darmstadt) establishes a solid base of knowledge and research capabilities. His specific expertise in cybersecurity and P2P networks indicates a focused and in-depth understanding of critical areas.
    • Significant Research Contributions: Publications in numerous esteemed journals signify a consistent and impactful research output, contributing to the body of knowledge in his field.
    • Leadership and Direction: His role as Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES) at Universiti Sains Malaysia highlights his leadership capabilities in shaping research direction and fostering a research environment.
    • International Research Experience: His time at the Telecooperation Lab in Germany demonstrates exposure to diverse research environments and collaborations, enriching his perspective and network.
    • Active Engagement in Professional Communities: Involvement in organizations like APAN and IEEE showcases his commitment to the broader research community, knowledge sharing, and staying abreast of the latest developments.
    • Dedication to Knowledge Transfer and Impact: His active involvement in fostering cybersecurity awareness and bridging the gap between academia and industry through consultancy projects indicates a commitment to translating research into practical applications and societal benefit.

Education :

  • PhD, Cyber Security, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany 🇩🇪
  • MSc, Software Systems Engineering, King Mongkut’s Univ. of Tech. North Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭
  • BSc (Hons), Computer Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia 🇲🇾

Experience :

  • Associate Professor, Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES), USM 🇲🇾 (Oct’24–present)
  • Deputy Director, Cybersecurity Research Centre (CYRES), USM 🇲🇾 (2023–present)
  • Senior Lecturer, National Advanced IPv6 Centre (NAv6), USM 🇲🇾 (2016–Sept’24)
  • Area Head, Telecooperation Lab (TK), TU Darmstadt 🇩🇪 (2020–2021)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher, Telecooperation Lab (TK), TU Darmstadt 🇩🇪 (2019–2021)

Professional Development :

Dr. Karuppayah actively engages in the cybersecurity community through memberships in APAN, IEEE, MyREN, and MBOT 🌐. His role as a journal reviewer for esteemed publications like ACM CSUR and IEEE T-IFS showcases his commitment to advancing the field ✍️. He has also contributed to USM as a Mobile Access Coordinator and Industry Liaison Fellow, and as a Subject Matter Expert for their Cyber Security Awareness Program 🛡️. His involvement in various consultancy projects, such as the Embedded Systems Upskilling Program 🛠️, highlights his dedication to bridging academic knowledge with industry needs and fostering talent in the tech sector 🌱.

Research Focus :

Dr. Karuppayah’s research primarily centers on the critical domain of cybersecurity 🛡️, with a strong emphasis on network security and threat intelligence. His work delves into the advanced monitoring and detection of peer-to-peer (P2P) botnets 🤖, exploring novel methodologies to identify and counter these malicious networks. He also investigates security challenges and solutions within the Internet of Things (IoT) 🌐 and cyber-physical systems, addressing vulnerabilities in interconnected environments. Furthermore, his research extends to the design and development of security operation center as a service (SOCaaS) solutions ☁️ and user-mobility optimized routing protocols for disaster communication networks 🚨, demonstrating a commitment to both proactive defense and resilient infrastructure.

Publication Top Notes : 

1. Title: Taxonomy and Survey of Collaborative Intrusion Detection
Citation:
Vasilomanolakis, E., Karuppayah, S., Mühlhäuser, M., & Fischer, M. (2015). Taxonomy and survey of collaborative intrusion detection. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 47(4), 1–33.
https://doi.org/10.1145/2716260

2. Title: Botnet-based Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks on Web Servers: Classification and Art
Citation:
Alomari, E., Manickam, S., Gupta, B. B., Karuppayah, S., & Alfaris, R. (2012). Botnet-based distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on web servers: classification and art. arXiv preprint arXiv:1208.0403.
https://arxiv.org/abs/1208.0403

3. Title: A Review on the Role of Blockchain Technology in the Healthcare Domain
Citation:
Zubaydi, H. D., Chong, Y. W., Ko, K., Hanshi, S. M., & Karuppayah, S. (2019). A review on the role of blockchain technology in the healthcare domain. Electronics, 8(6), 679.
https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics8060679

4. Title: MQTT Vulnerabilities, Attack Vectors and Solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT)
Citation:
Hintaw, A. J., Manickam, S., Aboalmaaly, M. F., & Karuppayah, S. (2023). MQTT vulnerabilities, attack vectors and solutions in the internet of things (IoT). IETE Journal of Research, 69(6), 3368–3397.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03772063.2021.1963421

5. Title: A Honeypot-driven Cyber Incident Monitor: Lessons Learned and Steps Ahead
Citation:
Vasilomanolakis, E., Karuppayah, S., Kikiras, P., & Mühlhäuser, M. (2015). A honeypot-driven cyber incident monitor: lessons learned and steps ahead. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Security of Information and Networks (SIN ’15), 21–26.
https://doi.org/10.1145/2799979.2800001

Conclusion:

Shankar Karuppayah presents a well-rounded profile indicative of a highly capable and impactful researcher. His strong academic background, significant research contributions, leadership experience, international exposure, and dedication to both the academic and practical aspects of cybersecurity make him a highly suitable candidate for a Best Researcher award. His work not only advances the field but also demonstrates a commitment to broader societal impact through awareness and industry collaboration.