cybersecurity

Protecting the systems that power modern life

4 min read ·
The modern world runs on interconnected cyber-physical and distributed digital systems. When cyber-physical systems are compromised, the consequences can extend into the physical world. A cyberattack on a maritime system can disrupt supply chains. A breach in financial infrastructure can destabilize economies. An autonomous system exploit can paralyze transportation networks. These scenarios raise a fundamental question: how can digital and cyber-physical systems be designed to remain secure and resilient in increasingly complex environments? For three decades, KAUST Professor Roberto Di

DePIN: From Decentralization Promise to Security Reality - A Critical Dissection of Trust, Privacy, and Architectural Illusions

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B9 R2325

In this talk, we critically examine DePIN systems through the lens of two complementary studies. First, we provide a systematic analysis of the DePIN paradigm, identifying its core architectural pillars - blockchain, IoT, and tokenomics - and exposing fundamental vulnerabilities arising from operating in a zero-trust, open-participation environment.

Building a secure digital future for Saudi Arabia

1 min read ·
A regional framework for advancing cybersecurity and driving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digital transformation

Muhammad Samiullah

Cyber Security, FPGA security, AI/ML security

Omar Rushdi

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, Phishing Detection, LLM

Jalal Saleem

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, LEO Satellite Constellation, Collision Avoidance

Ahmar Husain

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, Malware Analysis, LLM

Abidalrahman Obaidi

Visiting Student
Cybersecurity, Intrusion DetectionIDS, LLMs

Abdullah Alobaidi

Visiting Student
Cybersecurity, SOC Analysis, SIEM, LLM

Ahmad Didouh

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Advancing Security Red-Teaming in Cyber-Physical Systems via AI-Driven Side-Channel Analysis

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B9 L3 R3223

This talk will systematically reveal security and privacy vulnerabilities in cyber-physical systems by characterizing contactless side-channel attacks on various components and proposing effective defense methods using hardware-software co-design and AI-driven techniques, while also outlining future research directions for developing secure and privacy-preserving CPS platforms.
Ali Hassan

Ali Hassan

Instructional Professor, Computer Science
Ali Hassan is an instructional professor in the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at KAUST.

Roberto Di Pietro

Professor, Computer Science
Professor Di Pietro is a cybersecurity expert who excels in building and leading research and innovation labs in the private sector, government and academia. He works on critical infrastructure protection, adopting an artificial intelligence-driven approach in collaboration with major stakeholders.