Siddhant Srinivas | Cybersecurity  |  Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Siddhant Srinivas | Cybersecurity  |  Best Researcher Award 

School of Computer Science & Engineering, California State University, San Bernardino | United States

Siddhant Srinivas is an emerging researcher in artificial intelligence and Cybersecurity, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Data Science at the School of Computer Science & Engineering, California State University, San Bernardino. As the first author of a publication under Dr. Alzahrani’s AI Research Lab, he has made significant contributions to advancing AI-driven Security Operations Centers (SOC). His research encompasses the development of a taxonomy of large language models (LLMs) and AI agent applications within SOC workflows, the creation of a capability-maturity model illustrating the transition from manual to autonomous SOC operations, and comparative analyses of conventional versus AI-augmented methodologies. His published work in MDPI reflects his growing impact in the field, with an h-index of 1, one research document, and a citation count of 3. Siddhant’s ongoing project focuses on enhancing university SOC alert triage systems using LLMs and AI agents, emphasizing the integration of trustworthy, explainable, and secure AI. Dedicated to bridging the gap between AI innovation and cybersecurity resilience, he continues to explore intelligent automation and defense mechanisms for next-generation digital infrastructures.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publications 

Srinivas, S., Kirk, B., Zendejas, J., Espino, M., Boskovich, M., Bari, A., Dajani, K., & Alzahrani, N. (2025). AI-augmented SOC: A survey of LLMs and agents for security automation. Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy, 5(4), 95.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali sayghe | Cyber-Physical Security and Sensnor | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Ali sayghe | Cyber-Physical Security and Sensnor | Best Researcher Award

Department of Electrical Engineering/ Yanbu Industril College | Saudi Arabia

Author Profile 

Orcid

Summary

Ali sayghe is an assistant professor and researcher specializing in control systems and cyber-physical security for power systems, with a strong academic background from florida state university, arizona state university, and the university of illinois at chicago. his career combines teaching at yanbu industrial college with innovative research on digital twins, intrusion detection, and the resilience of industrial power systems. blending linear and nonlinear control theory with machine learning, he addresses the evolving challenges of critical infrastructure. his work is widely recognized in academic cites and continues to shape advancements in secure and reliable energy systems.

Early academic pursuits

Ali Sayghe’s educational journey reflects a strong foundation in engineering and technology, beginning with an associate’s degree in telecommunications technology from the college of telecommunication and electronics. he advanced to earn a bachelor of science in electrical and electronic engineering technology with a specialization in telecommunications engineering from arizona state university, followed by a master of technology in electronic engineering technology from the same institution. his pursuit of excellence led him to doctoral research, first at the university of illinois at chicago and later completing a phd in control and cyber-physical security for power systems at florida state university. throughout these formative years, his academic pursuits laid the groundwork for his expertise in control systems, cyber-physical security, and critical infrastructure resilience.

Professional endeavors

Ali sayghe has served as an assistant professor at yanbu industrial college in yanbu al sinaiyah, al madinah, saudi arabia. he has been deeply engaged in teaching, mentoring, and guiding engineering students, bringing real-world applications into the classroom. his professional endeavors also encompass research collaborations in control systems and cyber-physical security for the power and energy industry, often integrating machine learning into advanced control designs. this combination of teaching and applied research underscores his commitment to both academia and industry relevance.

Contributions and research focus

Ali Sayghe’s research contributions center on the reliability, resilience, and security of industrial power systems. he has advanced work in digital twins, intrusion detection systems, and robust control strategies, addressing both linear and nonlinear frameworks. integrating control systems and cyber-physical security with modern machine learning techniques, his work ensures that power infrastructure remains protected against evolving threats. these contributions have been published in reputable scientific journals and conference proceedings, showcasing his role as an innovative researcher in this specialized domain.

Impact and influence

Through his dual role as educator and researcher, ali sayghe has significantly influenced the field of control systems and cyber-physical security for power systems. his ability to simplify complex engineering concepts for students has fostered a generation of engineers equipped to handle the challenges of modern power networks. in the research community, his studies on digital twins and industrial system security are shaping best practices for safeguarding critical infrastructure. his influence extends internationally, bridging the academic and industrial sectors.

Academic cites

Ali sayghe’s work has been cited in multiple research papers, highlighting the relevance and applicability of his findings. his academic cites reflect recognition from fellow scholars and practitioners working in control systems, cyber-physical security, and power system engineering. these citations are a testament to the practical value and originality of his research, especially in areas that combine control theory with cutting-edge machine learning approaches.

Legacy and future contributions

Ali sayghe’s legacy is rooted in his dedication to creating safer and more resilient power systems through innovative control and cyber-physical security strategies. looking forward, he aims to further expand the integration of digital twins, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence into industrial applications. his vision includes fostering newcomer socialization within academic and research settings, ensuring that new researchers quickly adapt and contribute to the evolving landscape of control systems and cyber-physical security for power systems. his future contributions promise to shape both the educational framework and technological innovations in the energy sector.

Publications 

Title: Security Threats and Risk Exposure in Wireless Sensor Networks for Industrial Control Systems: A Case Study
Author(s): Ali Sayghe
Journal: SSRN

Title: Digital Twin-Driven Intrusion Detection for Industrial SCADA: A Cyber-Physical Case Study
Author(s): Ali Sayghe
Journal: Sensors

Title: Digital Twin-Driven Intrusion Detection for Industrial SCADA: A Cyber-Physical Case Study
Author(s): Ali Sayghe
Journal: Preprints

Title: A Survey of Machine Learning Methods for Detecting False Data Injection Attacks in Power Systems
Author(s): Ali Sayghe, Y. Hu, I. Zografopoulos, X. Liu, R.G. Dutta, Y. Jin, C. Konstantinou
Journal: arXiv

Title: Survey of Machine Learning Methods for Detecting False Data Injection Attacks in Power Systems
Author(s): Ali Sayghe, Y. Hu, I. Zografopoulos, X. Liu, R.G. Dutta, Y. Jin, C. Konstantinou
Journal: IET Smart Grid

Conclusion

Ali sayghe’s journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing control systems and cyber-physical security for power systems through both academic excellence and applied research. his influence spans from the classroom, where he mentors the next generation of engineers, to the global research community, where his contributions guide best practices for safeguarding energy infrastructure. by fostering newcomer socialization in research and promoting innovative solutions, his future work is set to further strengthen the safety, reliability, and adaptability of industrial power systems.

Prof. Arash Habibi Lashkari – Cybersecurity – Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Arash Habibi Lashkari - Cybersecurity - Best Researcher Award

York University - Canada

Author Profile

SCOPUS 

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Arash Habibi Lashkari’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in computer science specializing in software engineering from islamic azad university (iau). his passion for computer networks led him to pursue a master’s degree in computer science at the university of malaya (um), where he focused on network security. his academic curiosity then deepened, culminating in a doctorate in computer science with a focus on information security from the university of technology malaysia (utm). his early education set a strong foundation for his future contributions to the field of cybersecurity, particularly in behavioral and network-based security solutions.

Professional endeavors 🏢

Arash’s professional career reflects a steady ascent through prestigious academic and research positions. currently, he holds the esteemed position of canada research chair (crc) in cybersecurity at york university, where he also serves as an associate professor in the school of information technology. additionally, he founded the behavior-centric cybersecurity center (bccc) at york, demonstrating his commitment to advancing cybersecurity research. prior to this, he made significant contributions as a professor and research coordinator at the canadian institute for cybersecurity at the university of new brunswick (unb). his global influence extends to the united states, where he is an adjunct professor at north carolina a&t state university.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Arash’s research focuses on innovative cybersecurity methodologies, particularly in the areas of intrusion detection systems (ids), malware analysis, and network traffic behavior. his work includes the development of groundbreaking cybersecurity datasets and analysis tools, such as the darknet analyzer package and iot malware analysis systems. his recent projects involve integrating artificial intelligence with cybersecurity solutions, focusing on malware detection, phishing Cybersecurity classification, and analyzing attackers’ behaviors. his research has enhanced the understanding of cybersecurity threats and has led to the development of new, cutting-edge solutions to combat these threats.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Arash’s extensive contributions to cybersecurity have earned him numerous accolades. one of the most notable is being selected as one of the top 150 researchers in canada during his postdoctoral fellowship. his work on cybersecurity datasets has been globally recognized, with many institutions utilizing his contributions in Cybersecurity academic and industrial research. his leadership in producing widely-used datasets has positioned him as a key figure in the field of cybersecurity research, particularly in canada, where his work is integral to both academic and industrial sectors.

Impact and influence 🌍

Arash’s research has had a far-reaching impact on both the academic and industrial fields of cybersecurity. his development of tools and datasets has not only Cybersecurity advanced academic research but has also influenced practical applications in various industries, including partnerships with companies like lockheed martin and bell aliant. his work on cybersecurity risk analysis has played a crucial role in identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks in diverse sectors, from government agencies to financial institutions. he has also contributed to education through the supervision of phd, msc, and postdoctoral students, fostering the next generation of cybersecurity experts.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

Arash Habibi Lashkari’s legacy is one of innovation and leadership in the field of cybersecurity. his efforts in combining artificial intelligence with traditional cybersecurity methods continue to influence new research and industry practices. as the founder of the behavior-centric cybersecurity center at york university, he is paving the way for further advancements in behavior-based threat detection. looking ahead, his research is expected to continue making significant contributions to cybersecurity, particularly in developing intelligent, adaptive security solutions that evolve with emerging cyber threats. his leadership ensures that his work will remain influential for years to come.

Notable Publications 

  • Title: A survey on run-time packers and mitigation techniques
    Authors: Alkhateeb, E., Ghorbani, A., Habibi Lashkari, A.
    Journal: International Journal of Information Security, 2024, 23(2), pp. 887–913
  • Title: Identifying Malware Packers through Multilayer Feature Engineering in Static Analysis
    Authors: Alkhateeb, E., Ghorbani, A., Habibi Lashkari, A.
    Journal: Information (Switzerland), 2024, 15(2), 102
  • Title: Detecting IMAP Credential Stuffing Bots Using Behavioural Biometrics
    Authors: Barkworth, A., Tabassum, R., Habibi Lashkari, A.
    Journal: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 2022, pp. 7–15
  • Title: Evaluating Deep Learning-based NIDS in Adversarial Settings
    Authors: Mohammadian, H., Habibi Lashkari, A., Ghorbani, A.A.
    Journal: International Conference on Information Systems Security and Privacy, 2022, pp. 435–444
  • Title: Detecting Obfuscated Malware using Memory Feature Engineering
    Authors: Carrier, T., Victor, P., Tekeoglu, A., Habibi Lashkari, A.
    Journal: International Conference on Information Systems Security and Privacy, 2022, pp. 177–188