[Photo: Dr Darren Hurley-Smith (left) and Dr Rao Faizan Ali (right) in front of Keynes College Block C, where iCSS is located on the 2nd floor.]
In the autumn term in 2024, iCSS welcomed two academics as its newest Core Members: Dr Rao Faizan Ali in September and Dr Darren Hurley-Smith in December.
Dr Rao Faizan Ali joined the University of Kent as a Lecturer in Computing at the School of Computing, with expertise in behavioural information security, smart information security systems, and security with data science and AI. He earned his PhD in Information Security from the Autonomous Systems Research Group at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia. His work has been internationally recognised, earning him the prestigious Global Talent Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering UK in 2023 for his contributions to responsive information security technologies in the Southeast Asian Petroleum Industry. Before joining the University of Kent, Faizan was a lecturer at Northumbria University (London), where his research in human-centred information security earned him a nomination as Best Young Researcher of the School. He also secured two research grants as a co-PI from the Northumbria Pump Priming initiative. In addition to his academic career, Faizan has extensive industry experience, having served as a security advisor to several multinational firms, bringing real-world insights into his academic work. Faizan has published over 45 publications, including journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and technical reports. He actively contributes to the global research community, serving as a reviewer for renowned journals and participating in technical program committees for key conferences in Informatics and Security. His interdisciplinary approach continues to shape the cyber security landscape, addressing critical challenges at the intersection of cyber security and AI-based solutions.
Faizan said “I am thrilled to join the University of Kent and to be part of iCSS. The team’s unwavering support and collaborative spirit have made this transition seamless. I look forward to contributing to cutting-edge research and impactful teaching in this vibrant academic community.”
Dr Darren Hurley-Smith joined the University of Kent’s School of Computing as a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, specialising in network security, random number generation, autonomous systems, and ransomware research. With a PhD from the University of Greenwich, his internationally recognised contributions include advancements in random number generator design, with over 12 publications and two patents in this area. His current research explores ransomware as an evolving threat, securing funding from the Ethereum Foundation to investigate its impact on blockchain ecosystems, and he actively develops resilience strategies for critical infrastructure and SMEs. Previously a Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, Darren led postgraduate modules on penetration testing and spearheaded the technical development of the Omnidrome UAV and CAV testing facility. His consultancy includes collaborations with National Highways on Digital Twins for safety critical technologies. In addition to over 30 substantial contributions to conferences, journals, and media, Darren also participates in international working groups such as OASIS, advancing privacy standards for UAVs and autonomous transport systems. Darren worked at the University of Kent as a postdoctoral Research Associate between 2015 and 2019, under the supervision of iCSS former Core Member and current Honorary Member Professor Julio Hernandez-Castro. So welcome him to return to Kent!
Darren said “The University of Kent and iCSS were hugely positive formative experiences for me as an Early Career Researcher. I am thrilled to return to such a dynamic, renowned, and supportive team. I look forward to contributing to the excellent research and teaching of iCSS, and identifying new ways of building safer and socially responsible approaches to transformative technologies.”
Both Faizan and Darren work from an office in the iCSS space in Keynes College. They can be found at Rooms B2.9 and B2.6, respectively.